Hardware hassles

Learn to detect common hardware issues with your Mac

41Detect a faulty charger

If your MacBook isn’t charging, check that its power adapter is correctly connected and try a different plug socket. If this fails, remove the charger and inspect the port on your MacBook to make sure there are no foreign bodies in it. Carefully examine your charger for any frayed or exposed wires. If you find anything, take the MacBook and charger straight to an authorised repair centre. If the cables and port seem in order, try doing an SMC reset – go to apple. co/2qcaXAz for help with this.

42 Isolate hardware issues

Issues with your Mac, such as no sound, the display appearing incorrectly and slow performance, can be caused by both hardware and software issues. If any error messages appear, make sure to copy them down exactly. Also note down the time they’re happening. Once you have made a note of this, visit getsupport. apple.com on a working device to chat to Apple Support, who will be able to tell you if it sounds like you have a hardware problem.

43 Deal with an overheating Mac

If the fans on your Mac are constantly running and/or its uncomfortably hot to the touch, there may be a hardware fault. Place the machine on a hard surface to allow better air circulation. Keep your Mac in a room no warmer than 35°C. If the fans are still running, try performing an NVRAM reset (see apple.co/2qfNptK). Noisy fans and overheating can be caused by software, such as Spotlight reindexing, so contact Apple Support before going to a repair centre.

44 What the startup tones mean

Macs will sometimes beep on startup. The number and frequency of these beeps can help you understand the issue with your Mac. If you hear a beep every five seconds, no memory modules are detected. If you hear three beeps, then the RAM hasn’t passed the integrity check, most likely because it’s not supported. If you hear three long, then three short beeps, the Mac’s firmware has been corrupted and you need to take your computer to a repair centre.

45Check your warranty?

Visit checkcoverage.apple.com and enter your serial number to check if your device is in warranty or covered by the AppleCare Protection Plan. Under UK consumer law, Apple must repair or replace defective goods up to six years

46 Spot display anomalies

Every now and then a transistor on your Mac’s LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) may fail, causing a small area either to go dark or stay bright. Sometimes display issues are caused by a foreign object such as dust particles getting behind the screen. If you have display issues, clean your screen with a dry cloth and perform an NV RAM reset – see how to do this at apple.co/2qfNptK. If this fails to fix the issue, visit your local Apple Store or Authorised Service Provider.

from the date of delivery in England and Wales and five years in Scotland (see apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty). You must contact the original vendor, such as Argos, to make a Consumer Law claim. Your hardware issue must also be confirmed by a repair centre.

47Use Apple Diagnostics

Your Mac includes one of two diagnostics suites, depending on your model’s age – see apple.co/2rCDizY for full details. To use the suite, shut down the Mac, then disconnect all external devices except the keyboard, display and mouse. Next, power on the Mac while holding the d key. Choose your language if prompted, then the test will start. If any issues are found, take a photo of the screen and/or note down any reference codes before contacting Apple Support.

48Dimmed screen

Occasionally you may see a dimmed screen on your Mac, saying you have to restart your computer. This can be caused by a number of issues from corrupted system updates to a serious hardware failure. Restart the Mac as it suggests. If you see more kernel panics, disconnect any peripherals and try starting up in safe mode (apple. co/2rLNfwe) to see if the issue persists there. If the issue does continue, contact Apple Support for further help.

49 Fix common sound problems

If you can’t hear any sound on your Mac, make sure there are no external audio devices connected such as headphones. Next, go to System Preferences > Sound. Click the Output tab and make sure internal speakers are selected. If you can’t see this option, contact Apple Support. If internal speakers are selected, turn up the volume and perform an NVRAM reset (see apple.co/2qfNptK). If you hear the normal startup sound, your issue is software related. Otherwise, it’s likely there’s a hardware problem.

50Upgrade your RAM

The more memory your Mac has, the more applications can run at once. As time goes on, you may want to upgrade your Mac’s memory. Some repair centres offer this service but you can do it yourself on many Macs. First identify your Mac model by clicking Apple > About this Mac. Next click the Memory tab to find out how much RAM you already have, then click Memory Upgrade Instructions. The Apple website will load. Note that not all Macs can be upgraded.