Mac is Running Slow

Why is your Mac so slow

Your Mac, once known for its snappy performance, might be struggling to keep up with your tasks. This drop in speed can be frustrating, especially when the lagging or freezing disrupts your workflow. While the issue of MacBook running slow is easy to notice, understanding the cause—or how to resolve it—isn’t always as simple.

A note from our experts:

 

The most common reason for Macs to run slowly is overloaded RAM. You might declutter your Mac and see what happens. To remove all junk files in a few clicks, use MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup.

 

You can confidently speed up your Mac in just a few steps:

1. Download and install MacKeeper.
2. Launch the app, choose Safe Cleanup, and click Start Scan.
3. After the scan, review the results and select the junk you want to delete.
4. Then click on Clean Junk Files and Confirm.

That’s why we’ll be sharing the best solutions to the most common reasons for a slow Mac below:

1. Too many resource-intensive programs are running
2. Demanding visuals
3. A malware infection
4. Insufficient free space on the hard disk
5. Mac hasn't rebooted in a while
6. Cache overloaded
7. Too many login items loading on the startup
8. There’s not enough RAM
9. Outdated software or apps
10. You have an old Mac
11. Maybe your Mac is overheating

1. Too many resource-intensive programs are running

If you wonder, why is my MacBook so slow, it’s worth checking how many programs you’re running at one time, as too many can result in your Mac slowing down.

Way to fix: Use Activity Monitor to quit background processes

To address Mac slowness, you can use the built-in Activity Monitor app to stop unnecessary processes from running in the background. For a step-by-step guide, check out our article on how to find and kill background processes on Mac.

2. Demanding visuals

Most of us are so accustomed to using a Mac that we often overlook the visual effects in the user interface, such as transparency, animations, and other enhancements. While these effects add to the aesthetics, they’re a major factor in draining system resources—noticeably slowing down your Mac.  

Way to fix: Reduce your Mac’s visuals

Here’s how to reduce or disable demanding visuals that might slow down your Mac:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Click on Accessibility > Display.
3. Tick Reduce Transparency and Reduce Motion to reduce demanding visuals.

3. A malware infection

Although Macs are generally secure, they’re not immune to viruses and malware. Infections can slow down your Mac significantly, as malware consumes resources and causes performance issues.

Way to fix: Install antivirus on Mac

To protect your Mac and improve performance, we recommend you install reliable antivirus software. MacKeeper’s Antivirus can detect threats and secure your browsing with real-time protection. Ready to secure your device with the best antivirus for Mac? Check out our relevant blog piece for installation guidance.

4. Insufficient free space on the hard disk

Your Mac needs plenty of storage space on its main disk to ensure smooth operation. When the hard drive nears its capacity, it can cause significant slowdowns and lags as your system struggles to manage tasks and allocate resources efficiently.

Way to fix: Remove unnecessary files

To fix this issue, freeing up space on your Mac is crucial. We recommend removing unnecessary files, managing large files, or using cleanup tools that can help optimize storage. Our detailed guide on how to free up space on Mac offers step-by-step instructions to get started.

5. Mac hasn’t rebooted in a while

When you skip restarting your Mac, it can lead to memory leaks, overloaded system resources, and slower desktop performance. So, if you are questioning why your Mac is so slow all of a sudden, the answer might be quite simple.

Way to fix: Regularly reboot your Mac

Restarting your Mac regularly can help to keep it running efficiently and it’s easier to do than it may sound. You can follow the steps in our blog titled: How to restart your MacBook. Sometimes, your computer just needs a simple reboot to speed it up again.

6. Cache overload

If you want to clean up the Mac to help it run faster, we suggest removing unnecessary caches and log files. Decluttering these files is a great way to free up disk space, making your Mac run faster. But doing it manually can be painstaking and very slow.

Way to fix: Use MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup. Our tool can scan your device for junk in seconds.

7. Too many login items loading on the startup

When you turn on your Mac, certain apps can automatically launch in the background to get you started quickly. However, if too many apps open at startup, they can extremely slow down your Mac’s boot time.

Way to fix: Remove unnecessary login items

Here’s how you can manage your login items on your MacBook:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Go to the General tab and press on Login Items.
3. Look through the apps set to open at startup.
4. To remove an app, highlight it in the list and click the minus (-) button.

8. There’s not enough RAM

If your Mac is running slow, it could be due to insufficient RAM. The more you store in your RAM, the higher the risk of your Mac working super slow.

Way to fix: Quit resource-heavy processes in the Activity Monitor

To free up RAM and boost performance try killing background processes that consume too much memory. In our blog on how to free up RAM on Mac, Here, we’ve included all the tips you’ll need to utilize Activity Monitor to speed up your Mac’s processing capabilities.

9. Outdated software or apps

Running outdated software is another common reason for a slow Mac.  Older versions of macOS or apps may have bugs, compatibility issues, or outdated security that can both slow down your MacBook Air or iMac and leave it vulnerable to attacks. For more advice on how to update Mac, check our supporting guide.

Way to fix: Check for macOS and app updates

To see if your macOS needs updating, follow these steps:

1. In System Settings, click on General > Software Update.
2. If an update is available, you can click Update Now.

You can also use the App Store to help you see if you have any app updates, and here’s how:

1. Open the App Store.
2. Click on the Updates tab.
3. If any are available, you’ll be able to press Update next to the app.

An extra tip from our team:

 

For more advice on how to update Mac, read our supporting guide, where we’ll walk you through each step.

10. You have an old Mac

Older Macs tend to struggle to keep up with the demands of modern software, especially as newer software becomes more resource-intensive—harder for older Macs to handle. Leading to inevitable slowdowns as your Mac struggles to function optimally.

Way to fix: Upgrade to SSD drive, clear RAM, or install Mac cleanup software

To give your Mac an upgrade, here are some of our top recommendations:

• Upgrade from HDD to SSD: If your Mac still uses a hard disk drive (HDD), consider upgrading to an SSD. SSDs offer faster read and write speeds, improving boot times and responsiveness.
• Clear your RAM: Freeing up RAM can help your Mac run more smoothly. Close any unnecessary applications and restart your Mac to refresh its memory.
• Use Mac Cleaner software: Installing a Mac cleaner tool like MacKeeper can help you remove junk files, clear caches, and optimize your system for better performance.

Advice from our experts: 

 

If your Mac is still running painfully slow, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Don’t rush out to buy a new computer until you check out our guide on how to speed up MacBook first. It’s packed with practical tips tailored to get your device back to peak performance.

11. Maybe your Mac is overheating

When your Mac gets too warm, it accelerates the internal fans to prevent overheating, which could damage crucial components like the processor. While this is a necessary troubleshooting step, it can lead to a slowdown in your Mac's performance.

Way to fix: Monitor your Mac’s temperature

Regularly monitoring your Mac’s temperature can help prevent overheating. If you think your Mac is running too hot, our ultimate guide on MacBook overheating offers straightforward tips to cool it down and keep it performing at its best.

Why is your Mac so slow when you have plenty of storage?  

Even with sufficient storage, a slow Mac may be caused by other factors, such as running too many background processes, outdated software, or a lack of important RAM. Investigating these aspects, along with optimizing your storage and any external accessories, can help address and fix a slow Mac.

How to test computer speed on Mac?

You can test your Mac's speed using handy pre-installed tools like Activity Monitor. This default app gives Mac users great insights into their laptop's CPU, memory, energy, disk, and network usage. Additionally, you can search for third-party applications and websites on your browser to help you assess your overall performance speed on Mac.

Can the Apple Store make your MacBook faster?

The Apple Store offers important services like hardware upgrades, software optimizations, and diagnostics that can help to identify any issues that need to be fixed to speed up your MacBook's performance.

Where can I get extra help to speed up my Mac?

You can describe your issues in a few sentences via our chat support, and you’ll be connected with a member of our expert team in no time. MacKeeper’s Premium Services are always on hand with recommendations and solutions to your computer issues. We can walk you through simple repairs so you can get back to what matters in no time.

Do Macs slow down over time?

While Macs are designed for long-term performance, factors like outdated hardware, unusable software, or a cluttered system can contribute to slowdowns over time. Regular maintenance, updates, and optimizing your Mac's storage can counteract this gradual decline. An automatic clean-up tool, like MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup, can do all the work, freeing your device from junk in seconds.  

Conclusion

Now that you’re familiar with the most common reasons why your MacBook might be running slow—from cache buildup to overheating—it should be clearer what steps to take next. One of the best ways to improve your Mac's performance is to use MacKeeper Safe Cleanup feature. The latter will help you eliminate redundant files and optimize your system. As a result, your Mac will run faster.