Is your Mac acting strangely? Before you think of replacing your Mac, here are troubleshooting tips to effectively solve the most common problems that might drive you insane.
Black Screen
Most Mac users think their computer is broken when they see the screen going black. The reason why your Mac screen keeps going black might be due to several reasons. For instance, it might be caused because of a corrupted display or driver, a third-party app hijacking the display’s settings, etc.
You can troubleshoot the problem by implementing the following fixes:
- Check whether the display is off or the screen brightness is so low that the screen appears black.
- Force restart your Mac to give your computer a fresh start.
- Reset the NVRAM/PRAM and the SMC settings
If the issue persists, boot your Mac in Safe mode and unplug all the accessories.
The Keyboard is not Working
If the keyboard isn’t working, there might be a problem with the keyboard, and it needs replacing. Other causes are problems with your Mac’s software or apps interfering with the keyboard.
You can resolve the issue by unplugging and plugging back in the keyboard. Often, this solves minor glitches. Alternatively, you can check the keyboard settings and ensure that the keyboard is enabled and you have selected the correct input language.
If there are any temporary problems, a simple restart would resolve them. If the issue persists, reset the SMC.
Mac Keeps Restarting
Some of the reasons why your Mac might be frequently restarting are:
- Software issues, such as a bug or corrupt file in macOS
- Hardware issue
- Power issue
Your Mac might be restarting because Macs are crashing, and this can be solved by force quitting the misbehaving apps. Alternatively, you can boot in Safe mode to identify and diagnose the problem. In this mode, you can also fix minor glitches and bugs.
Sometimes, updating to the latest macOS version resolves the problem. Or you can run Apple Diagnostics and let this in-built tool check your Mac for hardware problems. You can run Apple Diagnostics by restarting your system and then pressing the D key on the keyboard.
Is it not resolved? You may have to take your computer to a repair shop.
The Hard Drive is Making Strange Noises
If there’s a problem with the Mac’s hard drive, it might be because there’s a problem with the hard drive’s platters or controllers. It might also be a software issue. There might be a third-party application causing the issue or a problem with the file system.
The hard drive might also make strange noises if a foreign object is inside.
You can try the following to troubleshoot this problem:
- Restart – Restarting will clear temporary problems contributing to the issue.
- Apple Diagnostics – Running Apple Diagnostics will check your system for hardware problems.
If the issue persists, it is best to visit your nearest Apple service center. Also, remember to back up your data as soon as possible when you hear your hard drive making strange noises. Or you might lose your essential data.
Screen is Flickering
A flickering screen can drive you insane and give you eye problems. Screen flickering is primarily a hardware problem and might be caused due to a faulty graphics card. There might be issues with the graphics card’s drivers, or the display might be damaged. Sometimes, the screen flickers because of software issues and interference from third-party apps.
If the cable is damaged or loose, it may cause the screen to flicker.
You can try the following fixes to resolve this issue:
- Reboot – Restarting is one of the basic troubleshooting tips, and it can solve all kinds of minor problems. So, if there are any temporary issues causing the screen to flicker, a simple restart will do the trick.
- Check the graphics card drivers and display settings – The graphics card drivers must be updated, and the display settings must be accurate. If they’re not, you can change the resolution, color profile, or refresh rate to stop the flickers.
- Reset the SMC – SMC stores important settings on your Mac. You can reset the SMC settings to solve the problem of screen flickering. The steps to reset the SMC depend on your specific Mac model, and you will find the instructions on Apple’s website.
Conclusion
These are some common yet highly frustrating Mac problems that may drive you crazy. These issues are known to cause delays in the workflow, and users’ productivity is impacted negatively. Follow this guide and memorize the troubleshooting tips to get back on track quickly.
However, if the tips do not work and your Mac continues to show signs of problems, it would be best to visit your nearest Apple service center. Some parts might require replacement, or there might be a hardware problem that a simple restart or resetting of the settings won’t fix.