Most Common Issues for Mac Users (and Their Solutions)

Macs are genuinely reliable machines, which are great for a number of uses and on a daily basis. But there are times when they can give you problems. This can be a nightmare when you have deadlines to meet and do not know how to fix the issue. Obviously, you could contact Mac’s support, but this can take considerable time. Alternatively, you can go online to determine if there is a solution that you can follow through to resolve yours. This article may be able to help you as we look at some common issues for Mac users and how they can be resolved.

M4A files usually need to be converted to mp3s. This is because mp3s are more available, despite m4a providing great sound quality and video. However, because there are fewer M4A players, converting them to mp3 makes it a lot easier to listen or watch your favorite musicians. Although you can use iTunes to do this, perhaps the easiest way to convert m4a to mp3 is to use Permute. This drag and drop app can do this almost instantaneously. You need first to open the Permute and do the following

You can repeat this process as desired to gain access to music and footage, plus a lot more, including merging two videos together. 

The first thing you need to determine is whether the device is actually working and whether it is compatible with your Mac. If it is, then you know the issue is with your Mac. If so, check your device is in the correct port and that the port, as well as the cable that connects your device to your Mac, isn’t damaged or blocked. Restart your Mac and, if needed, your device, too.

If your device still isn’t connecting properly to your Mac, then you should determine whether it’s plugged into the right version of the port. If everything appears fine, then resetting PRAM/NVRAM and SMC may determine whether any glitches are preventing your device from connecting to your Mac.

If it’s still not working, try connecting another device to your Mac to see if the same problem presents itself. If this is the case, then there may be an issue with your port or some other aspect of your Mac’s hardware that is preventing it from working. Unfortunately, this means that it needs to be examined and repaired by a specialist. 

There are several reasons for this occurring, such as doing too much at once with different apps or software or even a nearly full hard drive. Before you consider anything else, you should tidy up your hard drive, deleting anything obsolete and old. Adopting different habits, like using fewer files at any one time by closing them as soon as you have finished using them as opposed to leaving them open and moving onto something else, may also help. If your Mac is still a bit sluggish, then you can try any of the following:

If there are any noises accompanying the slow operation of your Mac, you will need to take it to an Apple store to determine whether the issue is connected to overheating or its hardware.

Sometimes these cameras can show a grainy picture. Fortunately, this isn’t usually related to your Mac’s hardware. You can discover whether it is by using the camera for other things and seeing the picture quality. If other apps that require the use of your video camera perform well, then the problem is with the Facetime software. If so, then check to see if you have all of the relevant MacOS updates on your Mac. If you do and the problem is still occurring, consider reinstalling the Facetime software. If this problem is still occurring, then take your device to an Apple store to see whether there is another issue beyond the software. This should be done if the video camera is not working in any app.

In a world ever more reliant on technology for socializing and work, when our devices don’t work as they should, we can really struggle to complete the most mundane of tasks. Therefore, we rely on our technology to perform as it should, with minimal need for repair. However, just as we can get ill and need to seek medical advice, things can go wrong with technology, leading us to require help. We may be fortunate enough to find this on the internet, but, if not, seeking the help of a specialist is the best thing we can obtain to get things, like our Macs, working again.