Now, your Mac is ready to start Apple Diagnostics: Once you’ve got the instructions in front of you, Apple recommends shutting down your Mac and disconnecting all the peripherals. Whether you are running an Apple diagnostics or a Mac hardware test (on older devices), Apple recommends printing their support instructions on how to run these tests. Thankfully, if you can run an Apple Diagnostics or Hardware Test, Apple Support suggests this is a way to restart your Mac, even if it refuses to switch back on through other means. In some cases, a hardware problem is so severe that you won’t be able to switch your Mac back on. In newer models, those built after 2013, those same tests are labeled Apple Diagnostics. If you suspect it’s a hardware problem, Hardware Tests are the way to troubleshoot on Macs built before 2013. Hardware Tests are an effective way to identify the cause of a Mac performance problem, which could be a CPU or GPU issue, a failing disk drive, an overloaded memory, a fan overheating, or any number of other potential faults. It could make a trip to an Apple Store or certified reseller easier knowing you've done all you can to identify and, whenever possible, fix the problem yourself - saving you downtime and a potentially costly repair.īuilt into every Mac is a way to run an Apple Hardware Test, also known as an Apple Diagnostics. Identifying the cause of problems - hardware or software - is the first step to fixing them. But every so often, a hardware issue could surface that could significantly impact how your Mac performs. Most Mac users will experience years of using a Mac without any problems. But to help you do it all by yourself, we’ve gathered our best ideas and solutions below.įeatures described in this article refer to the MacPaw site version of CleanMyMac X. So here's a tip for you: Download CleanMyMac to quickly solve some of the issues mentioned in this article.

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