macOS Sonoma Issues

Experiencing macOS Sonoma issues after updating can quickly turn excitement into frustration. From sluggish performance and unwanted battery drainage to app crashes and Wi-Fi problems, these challenges can disrupt productivity and daily use. Fortunately, most of these problems have practical solutions that are easy to implement.

Our guide will help you fix common Sonoma-related issues supporting you with troubleshooting and optimizing your Mac’s performance. By following our proven steps, you can address persistent bugs and enjoy the benefits of macOS Sonoma without any unnecessary slowdowns.

Before we start:

 

Before troubleshooting macOS Sonoma issues, consider cleaning your Mac. MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup is an excellent tool to quickly and safely remove unnecessary files, freeing up valuable space without affecting personal data. By eliminating system logs, cache files, and outdated mail attachments, your Mac will be better prepared for the upgrade process.

 

To use our Safe Cleanup feature, do the following:

1. Download, install, and open MacKeeper, then select Safe Cleanup in the sidebar.
2. Click Start Full Scan to detect junk files.
3. Review the scan results and click Clean Junk Files.
4. Confirm what you want to remove.

Why are users experiencing issues with macOS Sonoma

From our experience, users face macOS Sonoma bugs as updates can shake things up—old apps stumble, system demands skyrocket, and compatibility quirks surface. It’s like upgrading your car only to find the tires aren’t aligned.

How to fix macOS Sonoma problems

Are you experiencing glitches after upgrading your macOS version? Here’s a quick rundown of common macOS Sonoma problems users face and simple fixes to get things back on track:

1. Restart your Mac, update apps, and clear unnecessary files.
2. Check the activity monitor, disable background apps, and adjust settings.
3. Restart your router, forget the network, and reconnect.
4. Update, reinstall, or check app compatibility.
5. Toggle Bluetooth, restart your Mac, or re-pair devices.

1. Problems with Bluetooth connection

Bluetooth connectivity issues can drive anyone up the wall—your devices stop syncing, headphones disconnect, and accessories refuse to pair. To fix it:

1. Open System Settings > Bluetooth and toggle Bluetooth off, then turn it back on.
2. Remove the problematic device by clicking Forget This Device, then reconnect it.
3. Restart your Mac.
4. *Optional: hold Shift + Option, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar, and select Reset Bluetooth Module.

2. macOS Sonoma won't download

When macOS Sonoma refuses to download, it’s usually due to storage limitations, an unstable internet connection, or temporary system bugs. Before proceeding, make sure you don’t have any of these macOS Sonoma VPN issues.

2.1 For Intel-based Mac

1. Restart your Mac and hold the Shift key during startup to boot into Safe Mode.
2. Delete any partially downloaded Sonoma installers from the Downloads folder.
3. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update, then retry the download.

2.2 For Mac with Apple Silicon

1. Shut down your Mac. Press and hold the Power button until you see the Loading startup options.
2. Select your startup volume, then click Continue in Safe Mode.
3. Open System Settings > General > Software Update and start the download process again.

3. Battery drains faster

If your MacBook’s battery drains faster after upgrading to macOS Sonoma, background processes, reindexing, or unoptimized settings might be the cause. This is how you can resolve these issues:

1. Open System Settings > Battery to review what apps consume the most power.
2. After clicking the i icon, turn on Optimised Battery Charging in the new menu.
3. Reduce screen brightness and enable Low Power Mode.
4. Quit resource-heavy processes using Activity Monitor.

4. Wi-Fi bugs

Wi-Fi issues can disrupt productivity, causing frequent disconnects or sluggish speeds, even making Safari slow on Mac. Here are our instructions to help you:

1. Turn Wi-Fi off, wait a few seconds, and then turn it on again in System Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Forget your network after clicking the Details button, then reconnect and re-enter your password.
3. Restart both your Mac and router to refresh the connection.
4. In System Settings > Network > Location, click the three dots, choose Locations, and Edit Locations.
5. Hold Option, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, and select Open Wireless Diagnostics to identify and resolve network issues.

5. Mac is working slower after upgrading to Sonoma

System reindexing, background processes, or limited storage could be causing the slowdown. Troubleshoot the issue like this:

1. Review login items in System Settings > General > Login Items and disable unnecessary apps at startup.
2. Use Activity Monitor to quit resource-heavy apps and processes.
3. Open Terminal, enter sudo mdutil -E /, then press Enter.
4. Boot into Safe Mode (hold Shift during startup) to check for software conflicts or corrupted extensions.

6. MacOS Sonoma update not showing up

Why is your Mac not updating to Sonoma? If the update isn’t appearing, it might be due to compatibility issues, Apple’s servers, or incorrect system settings. Do the following:

1. Go to Apple Menu > About This Mac and ensure your device supports Sonoma.
2. Restart your Mac, then navigate to System Settings > General > Software Update to refresh the update status.
3. Restart your router, hold Option + Command + P + R during startup.

7. Time Machine backup failure

From our tests, Time Machine backups can fail after upgrading to macOS Sonoma due to iCloud syncing conflicts or disk errors. Here’s what to do in this scenario:

1. Disconnect the backup drive, reconnect it, and ensure it appears in Finder.
2. Open Disk Utility, select the drive, and erase it.
3. Go to System Settings > General > Time Machine > Options and add large or problematic files to exclusions.

8. Applications crashing

If apps crash after upgrading, it’s usually due to outdated software or file corruption. If that’s what you face, follow our instructions below:

1. Update all applications.
2. Delete and reinstall the problematic apps.
3. Check if the app supports macOS Sonoma.
4. Navigate to ~/Library/Preferences, find the app’s preferences file, and delete it to restore default settings.

A note from our experts: 

 

Clearing apps' cache and logs can resolve frequent crashes and improve their stability on macOS Sonoma. MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup is a reliable tool to quickly clean unnecessary files like caches, logs, and other junk that might cause apps to fail. Follow these simple steps to prevent app crashes:

1. Open MacKeeper and select Safe Cleanup from the left-hand menu.
2. Click Start Full Scan to identify junk files, including caches and logs.
3. Review detected items under categories like Logs and Caches.
4. Click Clean Junk Files to remove them and free up space.

9. macOS Sonoma boot issues

Issues when starting your Mac can leave your device stuck on the Apple logo or a blank screen. To solve it:

1. Force restart your Mac by holding the Power button until it shuts down, then turn it back on.
2. Hold the Power button, select your startup disk, and choose Continue in Safe Mode.
3. Boot while holding Command + R, select Disk Utility, and choose First Aid.

10. Problems with iPhone widgets on Mac

If your iPhone widgets aren’t showing up, loading slowly, or refusing to update, it may be due to iCloud syncing errors or misconfigured settings. Here’s a quick fix from us:

1. Ensure both your Mac and iPhone are on the same Wi-Fi network and signed in to the same Apple ID.
2. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff/Continuity and ensure Handoff is enabled.
3. Right-click the widget on your Mac, select Remove Widget, and add it again via the widget menu.
4. Open System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud and confirm that widgets are enabled.

11. Mac fan makes loud noises

A loud Mac fan often signals overheating or resource-intensive tasks putting strain on your system. You can fix it this way:

1. Quit resource-hungry processes in Activity Monitor.
2. Clean vents and remove dust with compressed air.
3. Shut down and restart.
4. Update macOS and all apps.

12. Screensaver not working

If your screensaver refuses to activate, it’s often due to a minor system glitch or incorrect settings. If so, do the following:

1. Open System Settings > Lock Screen and ensure a screensaver is selected and enabled.
2. Restart your Mac.
3. Increase or reset the Start Screen Saver time to ensure it triggers.
4. Restart your Mac and hold Option + Command + P + R until the startup chime sounds twice.

How to prevent problems with macOS Sonoma

To prevent and avoid having to fix macOS Sonoma issues later, start backing up your data using Time Machine or iCloud. Ensure your Mac model and apps are compatible by checking for updates through the App Store or developer websites. Finally, free up at least 25GB of disk space by removing junk files with tools like MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup.

Our team also suggests updating critical drivers for peripherals and restarting your Mac to refresh system processes. After updating, regularly check for new software versions and avoid unnecessary third-party modifications. Plus, we consider that knowing how to clear cache on Mac Sonoma might help as well.

Conclusion

While macOS Sonoma introduces exciting features, users may face occasional issues like app crashes, slowdowns, or connectivity problems. Addressing these challenges becomes easier with preparation and regular system maintenance. Tools like MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup can help optimize your Mac by freeing up valuable space and preventing unnecessary hiccups. Stay proactive, and enjoy a seamless macOS experience!