Using a MacBook offers two unmatchable things compared to many other laptops – style and productivity. Its unparalleled ability to perform multiple functions without any hassle, fast speed, highly advanced unified memory, and sleek design that’s associated with the style quotient of a person are some of the benefits of using a MacBook. But like any other machine, it’s bound to develop some common problems – sometimes in later stages or sometimes, quite unexpectedly, early on.
This should not put you in a panic state because it’s easy to fix MacBook problems without the help of a technician or Apple customer service. To troubleshoot MacBook issues or know some handy tricks to make you more productive, this guide here will help you tremendously. So whether you use MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, read on to learn how to troubleshoot common problems on your own.
1. MacBook how to screenshot
In the list of MacBook problems troubleshooting, this is the first one to know about. There are plenty of things that we need a screenshot of. Office work, education, creative work, or simply across something that you find useful and want to capture for future use. Knowing how to screenshot Mac helps a lot. There are three main ways to take screenshots on a MacBook.
Full screen: Press Shift + Command + 3. The screenshot will automatically be saved to your Desktop.
Portion of the screen: Press Shift + Command + 4. Drag the crosshair to select the area you want to capture, then release the mouse button. The screenshot will be saved to your Desktop.
Window or menu: Press Shift + Command + 4, then press Spacebar. Move the camera cursor over the window or menu you want to capture and click. The screenshot will be saved to the Desktop.
You can also use some free and paid MacBook screenshot apps for this. Some of the most popular ones include Scribe, Cleanshot X, Snagit, Skitch by Evernote, and Nimbus Capture. The benefit of using screenshot apps for MacBook is that you get additional features that are not there on the internal app. It depends more on what you need it for and how much the usage is.
2. MacBook how to uninstall apps
MacBook running slow and you are not able to work productively? To get to the core of this common MacBook problem, you need to know that some apps on Mac are installed by default. Then there are some that we install for some or other purposes. All in all, we end up installing a large number of apps on Mac and most often, we don’t even realize it. Some apps run in the background and some lie unused. All in all, these apps on Mac slow down the system and impact productivity negatively.
To know how to uninstall apps and software on Mac is important. To speed up MacBook and to be at your productive best, know about these two main ways to uninstall apps on a MacBook.
Finder: Open Finder and locate the app you want to uninstall. Drag and drop the app icon into the Trash. Empty the Trash to completely remove the app.
Launchpad: Open Launchpad and locate the app you want to uninstall. Hold down the Option key and click the app icon. A small "x" will appear in the corner. Click the "x" to uninstall the app.
3. MacBook how to split screen
Knowing how to split screen on Mac has many benefits. With it, you can run multiple apps at the same time which means more productivity. It also boosts focus and helps in better organization during work or studying. There are two main ways to split the screen on a MacBook:
Drag and drop: Open two windows you want to split. Click and hold the title bar of one window and drag it to the edge of the screen until you see a half-screen outline. Release the mouse button to snap the window to half the screen. Repeat with the other window.
Mission Control: Open Mission Control (swipe three fingers up or press Control + Up Arrow). Click and hold the title bar of a window and drag it to the "Plus" sign in the top left corner of the screen. Release the mouse button to create a new desktop space with the window. Repeat with the other window to create two separate desktops.
4. MacBook how to copy and paste
Copy pasting content is one of the most basic functions we perform on our computers. So even if we cannot call it one of the big common MacBook problems, knowing a way out is important to be productive. On Windows, it is quite simple. And on Mac too. So if you are new to Mac – having switched from Windows to Mac, there is nothing complex in this. There are two main ways to copy and paste on a MacBook:
Keyboard shortcuts: Select the text or content you want to copy. Press Command + C to copy. Move the cursor to where you want to paste the content and press Command + V to paste.
Right-click menu: Select the text or content you want to copy. Right-click and choose "Copy" from the context menu. Move the cursor to where you want to paste the content and right-click, then choose "Paste" from the context menu.
5. MacBook how to right click
Here’s another common MacBook problem users often face. MacBooks don't have a physical right-click button. And this is why this point needed a mention here in the blog. You can right-click on Mac using the following methods:
Click + hold: Click and hold the trackpad with one finger, then click with another finger. This will bring up the context menu.
Two-finger click: Touch the trackpad of your MacBook with two fingers at the same time. This will also bring up the context menu.
6. MacBook how to screen record
Just like taking screenshots on MacBook, recording screen is also an important task that we often do. For official or personal reasons, there are times when we need to capture important things by recording screen on Mac. There are two main ways to screen record on a MacBook:
Screenshot app: Press Shift + Command + 5. Click the "Record Screen" button and select the area you want to record. Click the "Start Recording" button and start your recording. Click the "Stop Recording" button when you're finished.
QuickTime Player: Open QuickTime Player. Go to File > New Screen Recording. Choose the area you want to record and click the "Record" button. Click the "Stop Recording" button when you're finished.
7. MacBook how to factory reset or reinstall macOS – A way to troubleshoot many MacBook problems
Resetting your MacBook to factory settings erases all of your data and settings. This is done when you want to sell your MacBook or simply discard it. Reset MacBook to factory settings might also be done to troubleshoot persistent issues. Resetting it returns the MacBook to its original state. This makes it free of any unwanted apps and data to give you optimal performance. This is helpful also when you are facing MacBook update problems. Follow these steps:
Backup your data: This is crucial as the factory reset will erase everything.
Restart your MacBook: Hold down the Command and R keys while restarting.
Select Disk Utility: Click on Utilities > Disk Utility.
Erase your hard drive: Select your hard drive and click on "Erase." Choose "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" format.
Reinstall macOS: Click on Reinstall macOS and follow the on-screen instructions.
8. MacBook how to clear cache
Computers are used rigorously and online connectivity means a lot of data being uploaded/downloaded and the installation of plenty of apps and software. This means a heavy load on the cache on your MacBook and it often leads to MacBook problems that need immediate troubleshooting. Clearing the cache can free up storage space and improve the performance of your MacBook. There are several ways to do this:
Safari: Go to Safari > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data. Remove the data for individual websites or click "Remove All" to clear the entire cache.
Chrome: Go to Chrome > Preferences > Privacy and Security> Clear browsing data. Choose the desired timeframe and click "Clear data."
System cache: Open Terminal and enter the following command: sudo dscacheutil -d /Library/Caches/com.apple.diskcache; sudo killall mds.
9. MacBook how to forget WiFi network
This is one of the most common MacBook problems you often come across. MacBook WiFi problems can totally set you off-track as most of the time we work wireless connections instead of wired connections. To resolve connection issues and stay on top of online security measures, it’s sometimes important to forget WiFi network on MacBook. It allows you to clear outdated credentials, troubleshoot connectivity problems, or connect to a network that offers better signal strength. There are two main ways to forget a WiFi network on your MacBook:
Preferences: Open System Preferences > Network. Select the Wi-Fi network you want to forget and click the "-" button.
Keychain Access: Open Keychain Access (Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access). Search for "airport" and look for entries associated with the Wi-Fi network you want to forget. Double-click on the entry and click "Delete."
10. MacBook how to upgrade to a new macOS
Tired of Ventura or Monterey and planning to upgrade to the new macOS? It’s a good idea as it can help you overcome many MacBook problems that need updating the OS to fix or troubleshoot some issues. Upgrading macOS gives you better features to work with and also boosts the online security of your device. macOS Sonoma is the latest version and it’s popular because of its amazing features so you might want to upgrade to it. There are two main ways to upgrade your MacBook to a new OS:
App Store: Open the App Store and click on the "Updates" tab. If a new OS update is available, you will see it listed. Click on "Download and Install" to start the upgrade.
Software Update: Go to System Preferences > Software Update. Click on "Upgrade Now" if a new macOS update is available.
Additional tips to troubleshoot MacBook problems
Facing MacBook problems and not knowing how to troubleshoot can lead to a waste of time, less productivity, and unnecessary frustration. This is never a good thing to happen when you are working on something important or simply enjoying yourself by streaming your favorite movie on Netflix or free documentaries on YouTube. The solutions to common MacBook problems listed above will certainly help but there are other important things to know before you troubleshoot.
Always back up your data before performing any major actions like factory reset MacBook or OS upgrades. In case of any Mac problem that you are not able to resolve on your own contact Apple customer service. Check the official Apple support website for detailed instructions and troubleshooting steps. Some or the other thing will always help you out.
