macOS software issues — updates, app crashes, Spotlight, Finder
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Quick answer
macOS software problems can almost always be fixed without opening the Mac. The standard tools are Safe Mode (Shift), Recovery Mode (Cmd+R / hold the power button), Disk Utility First Aid and a macOS reinstall. Persistent faults after a clean install = hardware. Get diagnosis with us.
Alle spørgsmål
Why won't macOS update?
Check: 1) disk space (you need 15-20 GB free). 2) Apple ID works (sign out and back into the App Store). 3) Time and date are set correctly. 4) Delete a partially downloaded installer: System Settings → General → Storage → 'macOS Installer' → Delete. Restart and try again.
Why is the macOS update stuck?
If 'Installing' or 'Preparing' hangs for hours: 1) wait at least 2 hours (larger updates can take time). 2) Hold the power button for 10 seconds for a hard restart. 3) Boot in Recovery Mode → 'Reinstall macOS'. Reinstalling does NOT delete data and typically resolves failed updates.
Why won't macOS start?
1) Hold the power button for 10 seconds for a hard restart. 2) Boot in Safe Mode (Shift). 3) Boot in Recovery Mode → Disk Utility → First Aid on Macintosh HD. 4) If still nothing, 'Reinstall macOS' from Recovery (data is NOT deleted). 5) Persistent faults after all of these = hardware. Contact us.
Why do apps crash?
1) Check that the app is compatible with your macOS version (older apps can crash on newer macOS). 2) Delete the app's preferences file (~/Library/Preferences/com.[name].plist). 3) Reinstall the app. 4) If multiple apps crash randomly, it's either faulty RAM or a faulty SSD — contact us.
Why doesn't Spotlight work?
Spotlight can become corrupt: 1) System Settings → Spotlight → Privacy → add your entire disk → remove it again. That forces a reindex. 2) Or via Terminal: 'sudo mdutil -E /'. Reindexing takes 1-3 hours depending on disk size — the Mac may get warm meanwhile. Completely normal.
Why doesn't Finder work?
Finder is hanging: 1) force Finder to quit (Cmd+Option+Esc → 'Finder' → 'Relaunch'). 2) Delete Finder's preferences file (~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist) and restart. 3) If Finder consistently crashes, create a new user profile and test there — if it works there, your existing profile is corrupt.