With no Apple Store locations in Lima, you have to find other ways to solve Mac problems. These Mac troubleshooting and repair tips will help.
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Apple currently has 510 stores worldwide, but none of them are in Peru. There have been rumors about an official Apple store opening up in Lima for years, but it hasn’t happened yet. Peruvians must to turn elsewhere to get tech support for their Apple products.
If you’re having problems with your Mac though, you may be able to fix the issue yourself. This Mac troubleshooting guide will walk you through some of the most common problems. With these tips, you can keep your computer running well for longer.
Mac Start-Up Problems
Some of the most common problems with MacBooks are start-up issues. This means that, for some reason, your computer won’t turn on.
Most of the time, you don’t need to do extensive MacBook repair to solve this problem. There are a couple of different reasons it might happen, though.
First, check to make sure your computer is actually turned off. Sometimes, the screen is causing problems. If your computer is making noise and the caps lock button lights up, you’re looking at a screen issue.
If your computer is off and won’t turn on, the problem might be the battery. Plug the laptop in and let it charge. If it still won’t turn on, you may have an issue with the power cord or the battery holding a charge.
If your computer still won’t start up, you can try power cycling it. To do this, hold the power button down for 10 seconds. Then push power again and see if the laptop starts up.
A Blue or Gray Screen
If your laptop will turn on, but you get a blue or gray screen, you need to start the computer in recovery mode. To do this, press the power key. Hold down the “R” key and the Command key at the same time.
The laptop will boot into recovery mode. From here, you can reinstall OS, use the Disk Utility, or restore from a Time Machine backup.
Mac Troubleshooting Tips for Batteries
Another common complaint with MacBooks is about the battery. There are a couple of different problems you might encounter:
- The battery won’t charge
- The battery drains too fast
Often, you can fix both of these problems on your own.
If the battery doesn’t seem to be charging, check the outlet you’re using. Next, check your power cord and adapted. It’s best to use the cord that came with the laptop.
If your power cord is damaged, then your MacBook may not charge. Getting a new cord can solve the problem.
Sometimes, the System Management Controller, or SMC, is the problem. You can reset the SMC in a few easy steps. Start by turning your MacBook off.
Next, connect your adapter and hold Control, Shift, Option, and the power button. Hold them for about four seconds, then release them. This may resolve the issue.
If your battery is draining quickly, you may have a different issue on your hands. You’ll want to see if any apps are using a lot of power:
- Manage the apps using power by clicking the battery icon
- Take a look at the Energy tab in Activity Monitor
If there are apps draining your battery, you can use the App Nap feature to put them to sleep. This reduces power usage and makes the battery last longer.
Sometimes, the issue could be macOS itself. New updates sometimes cause batteries to drain faster than usual. If you recently updated your OS, try switching back to the previous version.
Is the Battery at the End of Its Life?
Most MacBooks and other Apple products run on lithium-ion batteries. While these are good for around 1,500 charges, they do have an end of life.
If your battery won’t charge or drains too fast, it could be at the end of its life. In older machines, you can replace the battery.
For newer devices, you’ll likely need to contact a specialist. They may be able to replace or refresh the battery.
If you’re not sure about the health of your battery, you can check in on it. You can find step-by-step instructions at https://setapp.com/how-to/check-battery-health-on-MacBook.
MacBook Performance Issues
If you’re asking, “Why is my Mac so slow all of a sudden?”, you might have a performance issue. Before you think about calling Apple laptop repair services, try these steps.
The first thing to do is open the Activity Monitor and see what apps are running. Some apps will run in the background, so you don’t notice. They could be slowing your MacBook down though.
Try closing some of the apps or putting them into App Nap. If you see an app you don’t recognize, you may want to check for viruses or malware. If your MacBook just started running slow, a malicious piece of software may have made its way onto your computer.
If your MacBook is usually slow, you may just not have enough memory. If you have an older laptop, you may be able to upgrade the RAM. This could make it run faster.
Apple uses a new process for installing memory now. You can’t upgrade the RAM in new laptops, so this may not be a solution for a slow-running Mac.
It isn’t always the RAM that’s the issue though. Sometimes, a program takes up too much CPU. Check on this through the “CPU” tab in Activity Monitor.
Your MacBook may also run slower depending on the temperature. If it’s very hot, the MacBook may run more “kernel” tasks, which can take up more processing power. Try moving your laptop to a cooler area.
Get the Most Out of Your Mac
These Mac troubleshooting tips should help you keep your laptop or desktop computer up and running. They’re especially helpful if you don’t have an Apple store nearby.
Looking to get more out of your Apple products or other technology? There are plenty of helpful tips and tricks in the archives. With the right advice, you can get more out of your Mac.