Mac Running Slow After Update

Why is your Mac running slow after update

Why is your MacBook so slow after a system update? It’s more common than you might think to notice that your MacBook isn’t performing as well or as quickly after upgrading to a newer software version. Several reasons can contribute to this issue. One of the most frequent is that the upgrade may have consumed too much disk space, leaving you with insufficient storage.

Additionally, even if you successfully installed the latest macOS version, it doesn’t necessarily mean it was the best choice, especially if your MacBook is several years old. Upgrading to the newest version may not be advisable for older devices, as this could lead to hardware incompatibility, ultimately slowing down your Mac.

Another potential source of incompatibility could be the apps you have installed. To ensure optimal performance of both the system and the apps, you should first check that the apps you use are up to date and compatible with the updated version of macOS.

Moreover, bugs introduced in the new macOS version can also cause performance issues on your Mac. For this reason, we often recommend avoiding installing the latest version of macOS immediately after its release. Instead, waiting for a subsequent update can allow Apple to address any minor issues that may have arisen.

A note from our experts: 

 

A great way to enhance your Mac’s performance is to remove unnecessary and redundant files that consume valuable space and slow down your device. To do that, consider using MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup feature.

 

Follow our instructions to use MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup:

1. Open the MacKeeper app.
2. Select Safe Cleanup from the left sidebar.
3. Click the Start Scan button.
4. Check the folders you want to scan.
5. Click Clean Junk Files.
6. Click Empty Trash to confirm.
7. Wait until the scanning process is done.

How to fix Mac running slow after update

To fix a Mac that’s running slow after a system update, we recommend restarting your Mac, updating apps to the latest version, checking your hardware compatibility, and freeing up storage space. For more professional tips, you might want to consider closing background processes, disabling login items, repairing disk errors, or resetting PRAM and VRAM settings.

1. Restart your Mac

Sometimes, the solution to a slow Mac coping with software update Mac not loading is as simple as restarting it. We often recommend this method to resolve temporary performance issues. After a software update, a restart can help clear cached processes and refresh system memory.

Follow our instructions to restart your Mac:

1. Go to the Apple logo in the menu bar.
2. Select Restart from the dropdown menu.
3. Click Restart in the new window to confirm.

2. Check Mac compatibility with new macOS version

If your Mac fails to load after a software update, it could be due to hardware incompatibility. Older devices may struggle with newer macOS versions, so we advise you to check your device’s compatibility before updating it.

In any case, follow our tips to check your Mac’s compatibility:

1. Check Apple’s website to see which computers are compatible with the latest macOS.
2. Conduct a Google search and check major tech outlets to determine which older Mac models don’t support all the features of the latest macOS release.
3. Explore social media and Apple community forums to see if other users with the same Mac or MacBook as yours have encountered compatibility issues.

3. Update all apps to latest versions

If you notice a decline in performance while using apps, we suggest updating all your apps through the Mac App Store or individually. This ensures that you have the versions of the apps that are most compatible with the version of macOS you just installed.

Here’s how to update all apps to the latest version:

1. Go to the Mac App Store.
2. Find the Updates section on the left, and click on it.
3. Click on Update All to install the latest version of all outdated apps.
4. If you previously installed apps via other means (official website, torrent, bootable installer, etc.), you’ll have to update them manually. This is usually done through the official website, too.

4. Close unnecessary background processes via Activity Monitor

Is your Mac running slower than usual, especially when many apps are open? One of our preferred solutions is to close background apps. We suggest looking for processes that consume a lot of CPU or memory resources and end them to improve performance.

Below, we guide you through the process of closing processes using Activity Monitor:

1. Go to Finder, then select the Applications folder.
2. Open the Utilities folder.
3. Launch Activity Monitor.
4. Find and select the processes that consume more CPU/memory.
5. Click the X icon, then click Quit to confirm.

5. Check and free up storage space

To make your Mac faster after an update, we also recommend freeing up disk space. As such, we suggest checking your device’s storage first and deleting any unnecessary documents, apps, and junk files.

To boost your Mac’s performance, follow these steps to free up storage space:

1. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar.
2. Choose System Settings from the dropdown menu.
3. Scroll down and select General in the left sidebar.
4. Click Storage on the right, then check the bar graph to see how much storage is available.
5. Open Finder and find the files you want to remove on your Mac.
6. Select and right-click them, then choose Move to Trash.
7. Find and select the apps you wish to uninstall.
8. Drag the apps to the Trash.

6. Disable unnecessary login items

Additionally, we believe that login items–apps that automatically open when you turn on your computer–could also be why your Mac is running slower than you’d like.

Here are our steps to disable login items you don’t need:

1. Click the Apple logo from the menu bar.
2. Select System Settings from the dropdown menu.
3. Click General from the left, then click Login Items & Extensions from the right.
4. Choose the login items you wish to remove.
5. Click the - icon to confirm.

7. Use Disk Utility to check and repair disk errors

If you suspect the macOS update caused a disk error on your Mac, you should know that there’s still hope. Our favorite solution in this case is Disk Utility, a built-in app on all Apple computers that can repair the issue.

Use our step-by-step guide to repair disk errors with Disk Utility:

1. Go to Finder, then select the Applications folder.
2. Open the Utilities folder.
3. Launch Disk Utility.
4. Select your disk from the left sidebar.
5. Click the First Aid button, then click Run to confirm.
6. Click Done when the process is done.

8. Reset PRAM and NVRAM settings

Our final tip is likely the most complex, and we recommend it only for those with good technical knowledge. If you’re experiencing performance issues after a macOS update, we suggest resetting the PRAM or NVRAM on your Intel Mac. The process is done automatically on Apple Silicon-based Macs.

If you need to get rid of performance glitches on your Mac, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Apple icon in the menu bar.
2. Select Shut Down from the drop-down menu.
3. Press the power button.
4. When your laptop powers up, press and hold Command+Option+P+R.
5. Let go after about 20 seconds.

Is your MacBook slow after update? The ultimate solution

Noticing that your Mac is running slower than usual after a software update can be quite frustrating, especially when you expect the new macOS version to improve performance. Fortunately, there are several ways to address this issue. You can try simple methods such as restarting your Mac or closing background processes. If those don’t work, more complex solutions like resetting the PRAM/NVRAM may be necessary.

Another effective tip is to free up storage space. A straightforward way to do this is by using MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup feature, which will help you remove temporary, unnecessary, and redundant files.