If you own an Apple computer, you know how frustrating it can be when things suddenly stop working. One moment, your MacBook or iMac is running smoothly, and the next—BAM! It’s frozen, running at a snail’s pace, or won’t even turn on.

But don’t panic! Whether you’re dealing with crashes, slow performance, or software glitches, I’ve got you covered. This guide will walk you through the most common Apple computer problems and how to fix them—without needing to be a tech expert.

🛠️ Basic Troubleshooting (Start Here!)

Before diving into advanced fixes, start with these basic troubleshooting steps. They solve most Mac problems and only take a few minutes!

1️⃣ Restart Your Mac (Yes, Really!)

“Have you tried turning it off and on again?” might be the most overused tech advice—but it works! Restarting your Mac clears temporary files, refreshes the system, and often resolves minor software glitches.

How to restart your Mac:

1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner.

2. Select Restart.

3. If your Mac is frozen, press and hold the Power or Touch ID button for about 10 seconds until it shuts down, then turn it back on.

👉 Pro Tip: Restart your Mac at least once a week to prevent performance issues.

2️⃣ Update macOS & Apps (Stay Up to Date!)

Outdated software can cause performance issues, security risks, and app crashes. Regular updates keep your Mac running smoothly.

How to update macOS:

1. Click the Apple menu () > System Settings.

2. Go to General > Software Update.

3. If an update is available, click Update Now.

How to update apps:

1. Open the App Store.

2. Click Updates in the sidebar.

3. Click Update All to install the latest versions.

👉 Pro Tip: Enable automatic updates for macOS and apps in System Settings > App Store to keep your system secure.

3️⃣ Free Up Storage & Remove Junk Files

If your Mac is slowing down, a cluttered hard drive might be the culprit. Here’s how to clean it up:

✅ Empty the Trash – Right-click the Trash bin and select Empty Trash.

✅ Delete Unused Downloads – Go to Finder > Downloads and remove old files.

✅ Manage Startup Items – Open System Settings > General > Login Items and disable unnecessary startup apps.

✅ Clear Cache Files – Open Finder > Go > Go to Folder, type ~/Library/Caches, and delete old cache files.

👉 Pro Tip: Use Apple’s Storage Management tool (Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage) to find what’s taking up space.

⚠️ Avoid “Mac Cleaning” Apps: Some apps, like MacKeeper, can do more harm than good. If you want an all-in-one cleanup tool, CleanMyMac is a trusted option.  It costs about $35–$40 a year, but you can try it for free for a week with Setapp. Setapp is a subscription service (about $10/month) that gives you access to a variety of useful apps, including CleanMyMac. For a full month of Setapp, use my code: https://go.setapp.com/invite/yd0qk1pk

4️⃣ Check for Malware & Viruses (Yes, Macs Can Get Them!)

While Macs are more secure than Windows PCs, they’re not immune to malware. If your Mac is running slow, showing pop-ups, or acting strangely, it could be infected.

How to check for malware:

1. Open Activity Monitor (Finder > Applications > Utilities).

2. Look for suspicious apps using high CPU or memory.

3. Use Malwarebytes for Mac to scan and remove threats.

👉 Pro Tip: Never download software from untrusted sources, and watch out for phishing emails!

🚀 Advanced Troubleshooting (For Stubborn Issues!)

If the basics didn’t fix your problem, try these advanced solutions.