Buzz
Fixing Slow Macbook Startup
Here are some reasons for slow Macbook boot and how to fix them:
1. Full Hard Drive
One of the main culprits for slow Macbook startup is a full hard drive, leading to longer system load times.
Solution: To resolve the issue of slow startup on your Macbook, consider optimizing your hard drive. Delete unnecessary files such as movies, videos, documents, and outdated applications to free up space on your Macbook's hard drive.
To safely delete files on your Macbook, utilize maintenance tools like CleanMyMac X. CleanMyMac X efficiently cleans your entire system, including hardware components, by clearing cache memory, logs, language packs, and more, thereby enhancing the speed of your Macbook.
Download CleanMyMac X and install it here: CleanMyMac Download
Pro Tip: In addition to cleaning your Macbook, regularly updating your software and managing startup items can further optimize its performance.
2. Outdated macOS Version
Another reason for slow startup on your Macbook could be due to running an outdated macOS version. Apple typically includes bug fixes and performance enhancements in newer macOS versions.
Solution: The solution to this issue is to update to the latest macOS version. Visit the Mac App Store, search for macOS Mojave, and download and install the latest operating system version to improve system performance.
To update your macOS, navigate to the Mac App Store, search for macOS Mojave, and proceed with downloading and installing the latest version.
If your Macbook still boots slowly even after updating to the latest macOS Mojave version, the issue may be due to corrupted disk permissions. To fix this issue, you can use CleanMyMac X.
After downloading and installing CleanMyMac X, access the Maintenance tab and then click on Repair Disk Permissions.
3. Startup Programs
During startup, programs set to launch with the system will run in the background. This can also be a cause of slow Macbook startup.
How to Resolve:
Managing and removing startup programs can help speed up Macbook startup.
Access System Preferences =>Users & Groups, then click on your username. Next, click on Login Items, then select the application you don't want to launch with the system. Click on the '-' symbol below the list on the left to remove the application from the list.
4. Too Many Background Applications
In addition to the aforementioned causes, having too many applications running in the background can also slow down Macbook startup.
Solution: Stop these applications in Activity Monitor.
Activity Monitor displays all running processes and their resource usage on your Macbook. Closing resource-intensive application processes can make a difference, helping to speed up Macbook operations.
Open the Applications folder => Utilities folder. Here, locate and open Activity Monitor to check the list of applications and processes running on your Macbook.
Click on the Memory tab at the top corner, then select the Memory filter at the top corner of the list to sort programs and applications by the amount of RAM they occupy on your Macbook. To stop, prevent applications from consuming too many system resources, click on the application in the list, then click on the X icon at the top left corner to close the application.
5. Outdated Hardware
Hardware directly impacts Macbook performance, and if the hardware is outdated, it may cause slow startup on Macbook.
Solution: Upgrade Hardware
If you've tried the above methods and your Macbook is still running slow, taking a long time to start up, it's time to consider upgrading your Macbook hardware to resolve the issue.
Note that this troubleshooting method may be slightly costly.
6. Clean Up Macbook Desktop
If you have a habit of storing files, data on your Macbook desktop, it's time to consider cleaning up the desktop to speed up your Macbook. In reality, desktop icons are small windows operating on macOS that we have to render and process. If there are too many icons, files, data on the desktop, it can also cause Macbook to run slowly.
7. Cluttered Web Browsers
Web browsers are also one of the culprits causing slow operation on Macbook. Even high-configured devices can be affected by hundreds of browser extensions and tabs you have open.
Solution: Remove unnecessary browser extensions
Malicious add-ons, plug-ins, and extensions often disguise themselves as free software. When you download and install these extensions, your screen will continuously display ads, stealthily collect user data, which also slows down the device. The solution to speed up your Macbook is to remove unnecessary browser extensions.
Remove Extensions on Chrome:
Step 1: Open the Chrome browser.
Step 2: Click on the three-dot icon aligned horizontally at the top right corner of the browser window.
Step 3: Click on More tools =>Extensions.
This window will display a list of all extensions you have installed on Chrome. You can disable or choose to remove these extensions to speed up your Macbook.
Remove Extensions on Safari browser:
Step 1: Open the Safari browser.
Step 2: Click on Safari =>Preferences from the menu.
Step 3: Select the Extensions tab.
Step 4: Finally, delete any unnecessary extensions you've installed on the browser to speed up the system.
8. Clear Cache Files
Cache files include: system cache, user cache, application cache, .... Among them, user cache (in your user account) accounts for about 70% of the entire system's junk files.
So to speed up your Macbook, the solution is to delete these cache files. Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open Finder, then click on Go to Folder in the Go menu.
Step 2: Enter -/Library/Caches there and then press Return.
Step 3: Identify the location of the cache folder tree.
Step 4: Access each folder and delete the files inside.
Step 5: Next, clean up the trash bin.
The next step is to delete system cache memory. Follow similar steps, only in step 2, you enter the path as: /Library/Caches
Note: Before proceeding with the steps, Mytour recommends you to back up the Caches folder to avoid accidental deletion and system errors.
Additionally, you can download and install CleanMyMac X to safely clear cache memory on your Macbook.
9. Faulty SMC Installation
SMC stands for System Management Controller, managing all low-level functions on Macbook, including fan, lights, power, system volume, and other parameters. Faulty or corrupted SMC installations are also reasons why Macbook runs slow, taking longer to start up.
How to Resolve: Reset SMC to its original settings
- For Macbooks with removable batteries:
Step 1: Firstly, proceed to shut down your Macbook.
Step 2: Remove the battery from the device.
Step 3: Step 3: Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds.
Step 4: Reinstall the Macbook battery.
Step 5: Press the Power button again and restart the Macbook normally.
- For Macbooks with built-in batteries:
Step 1: Firstly, proceed to shut down your Macbook.
Step 2: Next, simultaneously press Shift + Control + Option + Power button.
Step 3: Press and hold the keys for about 10 seconds.
Step 4: Release your hands from the keys.
Step 5: Press the Power button again and restart the Macbook normally.
- Resetting SMC on iMac, Mac Pro, and Mac Mini:
Step 1: Firstly, proceed to shut down the Macbook.
Step 2: Disconnect the power cord.
Step 3: Wait for about 15 seconds.
Step 4: Reconnect the power cord.
Step 5: Wait for a few seconds and press the Power button to turn your Macbook back on.
10. Running Out of RAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. Similar to above, running low or full on RAM can also be a reason for improper functioning and slow startup of your Macbook.
Besides upgrading RAM, in this case, we can utilize Terminal to free up RAM.
Follow the steps below:
Access Applications =>Terminal.
Next, copy and paste the command below into the Terminal window:
sudo purge
Enter user password to confirm.
11. Clean up Downloads and Trash folders
After a period of use, files and data in the Downloads folder accumulate, leading to a full hard drive space and decreased MacBook performance. To speed up your MacBook, the solution is to clean up the Downloads and Trash folders.
Right-click on the Trash, select Empty Trash. Then, access the Downloads folder and sort the files by size.
- Search for .DMG files in the Downloads folder.
- Transfer multimedia files to iCloud.
- Move data to an external drive.
- Delete duplicate files and folders.
Additionally, you can use Gemini 2 to remove duplicate content.
Download Gemini 2 to your computer and install it from here: Download Gemini for Mac
This article has just guided you on some ways to speed up Macbook startup. Additionally, readers can refer to other articles to learn how to fix Shutdown issues on Macbook.
