macOS Sequoia Issues

Are there any known issues with macOS Sequoia?

macOS 15 Sequoia was a major upgrade, with new features powered by Apple Intelligence—but it also introduced problems for some users. They include:

• Internet faults: DNS errors and VPN connection issues may be caused by the built-in firewall. Turning it off can help.
• Installation difficulties: Some users have struggled to download or install Sequoia, due to a lack of disk space or problems with Apple’s servers.
• Slow performance: This is usually a temporary issue, caused by Spotlight reindexing your Mac’s storage. Often, you just need to wait.
• Wireless woes: Bluetooth devices may malfunction after the update. Subsequent patches fixed the issue for most people—but not everyone.
• USB issues: Some people have suffered USB faults after updating to Sequoia—mainly USB sticks reading slowly or not at all.
• MacBook problems: After upgrading, some MacBook users have said their Touch Bar stopped working, and others reported fast battery drain. This may be an ongoing issue.

If problems persist, you may need to downgrade. Read our piece related to this change—can you go back to Sonoma from Sequoia?

A note from our team:

 

Diagnosing macOS update issues can be tricky because there are many potential causes you need to identify and fix. However, it’s also much easier if you choose to contact our Premium Services team for fully tailored support.

 

Here’s how:

1. Download, install, and run MacKeeper.
2. Select Premium Services from the side menu.
3. Click Start Chat.
4. Use the chat box to speak to our expert and get help.

How to fix the most common macOS Sequoia issues

So what macOS Sequoia problems are you most likely to face? And, more importantly, how do you fix them? Let’s take a look.

1. macOS Sequoia won't install

Some people have fallen at this first hurdle—installing Sequoia. If you’re in that camp, here’s what we suggest:

• Check your internet connectivity, whether you’re using Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
• Make sure you have enough free disk space. For more information, read our guide on how much space does macOS take up.
• Disable Find My Mac in your System Settings.
• Sign out of your Apple ID.
• If you’re not on macOS Sonoma, update to that first, before upgrading to Sequoia.
• Try Terminal. Enter softwareupdate -l to check for updates, then softwareupdate -i -a to install all available updates.
• Delete the download and start again, in case the installer has been corrupted.
• Run your Mac in safe mode and try the update again.
• Wipe your Mac and do a clean install through Recovery Mode.

2. Mac is slow after update to Sequoia

We often hear about performance issues after a big update. Here are some potential fixes:

• Spotlight might be reindexing your system. Wait and let it finish. You can also go into System Settings > Spotlight and choose which folders to index.
• Check for high CPU and RAM use. Open Activity Monitor, and look in the CPU and Memory sections. Close any offending apps.
• Clear your Mac junk data, using an automated tool like MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup.
• Boot into safe mode. If your Mac runs faster, then your issues are due to third-party apps.

3. macOS Sequoia Spotlight drive usage bug

There have been reports of drive and CPU usage spikes after updating to Sequoia. This bug is bad for your Mac’s SSDs, so we suggest this:

1. Open Activity Monitor and check the Disk section to see if Spotlight is hammering your SSD. If it is, proceed to step 2.
2. Open Terminal from Applications > Terminal.
3. Type sudo mdutil -E / and press Return.
4. Look in Activity Monitor again, and hopefully this issue will be fixed.

4. Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is not working

If your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth fail after updating the Sequoia, you’ll probably need to connect a USB mouse and keyboard. Then try our tips:

• In System Settings, toggle your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and on again.
• Connect to a different Wi-Fi network, such as the hotspot on your cell phone. If it works, the problem isn’t with your Mac.
• Forget and reconnect your Bluetooth device. In System Settings > Bluetooth, click the ‘i’ symbol next to a device and select Forget This Device.
• Check for macOS updates, as well as drivers and updates for your Bluetooth equipment.
• If you have an Intel Mac, reset your NVRAM and SMC.

5. Battery draining faster in macOS Sequoia

Although macOS compatibility for Mac laptops is good, some Mac users have discovered high battery drainage after updating to Sequoia. Potential fixes include:

• Look in Activity Monitor for apps that are using too much CPU or RAM.
• Also, in Activity Monitor, check the Energy tab to see what impact apps are having on your MacBook.
• Check your web browsers for incompatible extensions.
• Make sure all your software is updated, including macOS and third-party apps.
• Stop any unneeded login items from running. Do this in System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, or use MacKeeper’s Login Items tool.

6. Mac on macOS Sequoia won't boot

If Sequoia won’t boot, gets stuck at the Apple logo, or enters a reboot loop, try these solutions:

1. Boot into Safe Mode. If it works, uninstall third-party apps, and then try booting macOS normally.
2. Boot your Mac into Recovery Mode and run a Disk Utility check. Run First Aid and reboot your Mac.
3. If you can get into Recovery Mode, initiate a clean install.

7. Apps crashing in macOS Sequoia

Sometimes, when Apple releases a new version of macOS, third-party apps stop working. There are a few things you can do:

• Go to Applications > Utilities and open Console. Check Crash Reports for compatibility issues.
• Uninstall and reinstall apps that keep crashing.
• Check for updates from the relevant software vendors.
• If an app keeps crashing, check its website and/or user forum for any reported problems with Sequoia.

8. macOS Sequoia fails during setup

Sometimes, the Sequoia setup process fails to complete. Here’s what we suggest:

• If you can get into macOS, go to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset, and click Erase All Content and Settings. Then try the update again.
• If you can’t get into System Settings, you’ll need to restart your Mac in Recovery Mode. From there, you can try the update again, or do a complete wipe and reinstall.

9. Mac Sequoia cannot connect to VPN

Quite a few people have said their VPN stopped working after installing Sequoia. Try these methods to fix this problem:

1. In System Settings > Network > Firewall, disable the firewall and see if your VPN works.
2. Some VPN developers have released patches to fix Sequoia compatibility. Update your VPN software and try again.
3. You may need to switch your VPN protocol. Try changing to IKEv2 or OpenVPN.
4. If you’re using a VPN kill-switch feature, turn it off.

10. Web browsers crash or lag

Numerous people have stated that their web browser doesn’t work properly with Sequoia. There are, thankfully, some quick solutions:

• Turn off the macOS firewall, as it may block browsers, including Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. (Note—Remember to turn it back on later, because it’s vital to online security.)
• Uninstall and reinstall your browser. This has helped users when their browsers kept crashing.
• Clear your Mac of unwanted cache and junk files.
• Delete any unused browser extensions.
• Flush your Mac’s DNS cache with sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder command in Terminal

11. Touch Bar no longer functions

A malfunctioning Touch Bar can be a real pain. If it happens to you after upgrading to macOS 15, try these fixes:

• Reset your MacBook’s SMC and NVRAM.
• Make sure macOS is fully up to date.
• Try this Terminal command, which has worked for some MacBook owners: sudo pkill TouchBarServer

12. USB accessories are not working on macOS Sequoia

Although not a widespread macOS Sequoia problem, some people have said their USB devices stopped working properly after the upgrade. We’ve seen reports that these steps may help:

• Simply disconnect the problematic device and plug it into a different USB port.
• Go to System Settings > General > About, and click System Report. In the USB section, check for any errors or faults.
• If you have an Intel Mac, unplug your USB devices, reset your SMC, and then plug the devices back in.

Make the most of Sequoia

You might be wondering, is it worth upgrading to Sequioa. Quite simply, yes, it is. Although some users do experience issues after the upgrade, that can happen with any update. In many cases, problems can be fixed easily and, if necessary, Apple will create patches that get things working properly.

In the rare instances where you can’t fix macOS Sequoia issues yourself, you use MacKeeper’s Premium Services. Our agents are Mac experts, and they’ll help you find a solution fast.