Apple has refined Mac PC with lots of impressive features and functionality. It is unlike Windows in terms of the user interface, keyboard shortcuts, etc. Whether you use it for creativity or for productivity purposes, Mac excels in terms of performance. Besides being an advanced device, Mac does misbehave at times. While minor software issues are common, the real problem comes when Mac keeps crashing. It will affect not only your work or performance but also the productivity. In such a case, it is vital to fix the frequently crashing Mac. Hence, we have decided to guide you about the possible reasons for Mac crashing, types of crashes, how to fix or troubleshoot, etc., in this section.
Possible Reasons for Mac to Keep Crashing
There are lots of possible reasons that induce crashing issues on Mac.
- If there is insufficient system memory for an application to run.
- Due to the incompatibility that exists between the macOS version and the device.
- Less storage space on the startup disk of the Mac.
- Software bugs and any other incompatibilities.
- CPU drains out because of resource-intensive apps.
- When too many apps run simultaneously and use a lot of memory.
- Apps competing for simultaneous disk access and resources.
- Malicious virus or programs installed on the device.
Types of Crashes
Your Mac will experience two types of crashes, and it is explained in detail.
Application Crash: It occurs due to the multi-color spinning icon or the app-specific error message states it has unexpectedly quit. You should force the application to quit by pressing Cmd+Option+Esc and select the app.
System Crash: When the system crashes, you cannot use the trackpad or mouse. The entire system will become slow or goes unresponsive. If you have set your Mac to restart automatically when the system crashes, it will restart by itself.
How to Avoid Mac Crashing Issues on Mac
You can carry out some precautions to block or lower the chance of getting into crashes on Mac. i.e., you should opt for a quick hardware check to check if everything on the device is functioning properly.
1. On the Apple menu, choose About This Mac.
2. Choose the More Info button.
3. Click on the System Report and view the status of the hardware.
4. Additionally, check the S.M.A.R.T status under the Disk Utility to check for any potential issues.
5. Ensure your macOS and apps are running on their latest versions.
6. Make sure you install more system memory to avoid facing insufficient RAM problems.
7. Clear the cache memory and delete unused or unwanted applications regularly.
8. Make sure you create enough hard drive space.
9. It is better to restart your Mac device occasionally.
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Troubleshoot & Fix Mac Keeps Crashing
It is normal if your Mac crashes occasionally. But it is mandatory to fix the issue when you happen to face this frequently.
Reset System Memory Controller or SMC
It is the SMC that is responsible for the background process on Mac. Resetting it will fix the crashing problem on Mac.
- If you have a Mac desktop with a T3 chip, turn off the device, unplug the power cord, plug it back after 15 min and turn on the Mac.
- For MacBooks without T2 Security Chip, you should press Shift+Ctrl+Opt and the power button. Hold the keys for 10 sec and release the power button to turn it on.
- If you have a MacBook and computer with T2 chips, turn off the device, press, and hold the power button for 10 sec. Gently release the button and wait for a few sections to press it back and turn on the Mac.
Run Apple Diagnostics to Find a Hardware Issue
1. Unplug all the external devices except the AC power, display, mouse, keyboard, and Ethernet connection.
2. Restart your Mac PC, press and hold the D key til you get Apple Diagnostics Screen.
Note: Turn off the firmware password, hold Option+D during the restart if the Diagnostics screen doesn’t appear.
3. Now, the progress bar will appear that checks your Mac, and the process will take few minutes.
4. If there are any issues, Apple Diagnostics will find them and suggest a fix or reference codes.
5. Choose any of the options to perform the respective tasks.
- Press Cmd+R or select Run the test again to repeat the test.
- Cmd+G or click on Get started to get details about the service and to support options.
- Press R or select Restart to restart the Mac PC.
- Press the S key or choose Shut Down to power down your Mac.
6. Once done, Restart or Shut Down your Mac.
Boot into Safe Mode
You may face Mac crashing issues after upgrading macOS to Mojave or Catalina. It can be fixed if you restart Mac in safe mode. It will load the required kernel extensions and will verify the startup disk. With this, the issues in the directory will get repaired.
1. You should restart your Mac and hold down the Shift key immediately until the login screen gets displayed.
2. With this, your Mac gets into the Safe Mode.
Note: To check if your device is in Safe mode, you shall open Mac’s spotlight and input it as System Information. Select the Software section and check if that shows Safe and not Normal.
3. When there aren’t any issues in the safe mode, restart Mac without pressing any key.
4. If you get crashing issues in the normal mode, it means your Mac’s login items are incompatible with your current macOS version.
5. When your device doesn’t boot in safe mode, it means your device has insufficient space on the startup disk.
Delete Software Update Caches
It is important to clean the caches if macOS crash during the auto software update.
- /Home/Library/Caches/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate/
- /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist
- /Home/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.123.plist
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Use Disk Utility to Fix File System Issue on a Drive
The Disk Utility’s First Aid has an option to repair and verify the star-up disk and logical disk.
1. To restart Mac, press and hold Cmd+R keys till you get a chime.
2. Choose Disk Utility to open it on the Recovery mode.
3. Click on the Startup disk and select First Aid.
4. Press the Run button on the pop-up to allow Disk Utility to repair the device.
5. When the repair gets over, you will not get crashing issues.
Reset NVRAM
At times, resetting the NVRAM will also fix the crashing issues.
- Press and hold the Cmd + Option + P + R keys until a chime occurs. Release your fingers when you hear the sound.
When the firmware password is turned on, you should turn it off.
Uninstall Incompatible Apps
If your macOS keeps crashing, you shall find the app that is causing the issue and uninstall it.
1. On your Mac, navigate to the Finder.
2. Select Applications and click on the app that you want to uninstall.
3. Now, drag and drop the app into the Trash, and it gets removed.
Reinstall macOS or System Restore
If any of the troubleshooting methods don’t work and still face crashing issues, you shall reinstall the macOS.
- Initially, you should backup all your files and data on a hard drive or into a cloud service.
2. Press the Cmd+Run keys to get into the Recovery Mode.
3. Go to macOS Utility on the Recovery Mode to click on the Reinstall macOS option.
4. Select Continue to confirm your action.
5. Proceed with the on-screen instructions to select Install.
Wrap Up
We hope this article is useful to you in resolving Mac crashing issues. If you cannot find the exact cause of this issue, you shall take a backup of your device and restore the system. For more such interesting tips and tricks, visit our blog.