MacBook Running Slow? 7 Fixes That Actually Work

Apple Laptop Troubleshooting, Free Mac Diagnostics, MacBook Repair Canada, MacBook Running Slow, MacBook Upgrade Services, macOS Performance Tips, Speed Up Mac
April 25, 2025
Amara Ashraf

Is Your MacBook Slowing You Down?

Whether you use your MacBook for work, school, or everyday browsing, a slow laptop can be incredibly frustrating. Fortunately, there are several simple fixes that can breathe new life into your device—before you even consider a repair or upgrade.

At Experimax Canada, we help customers every day with sluggish MacBooks. Here are 7 practical solutions to get yours running smoothly again.

1. Restart Your MacBook Regularly

It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many users go weeks without restarting their Mac. A restart clears memory (RAM) and resets temporary system glitches.

Quick Fix: Click the Apple logo > Restart. Do this at least once a week.

2. Check for Software Updates

Outdated macOS or apps can cause slowdowns, crashes, or bugs.

Quick Fix:

Click the Apple logo > System Settings > General > Software Update.
Also update any third-party apps through the App Store.

3. Free Up Hard Drive Space

Macs need at least 10–20% of free disk space to run efficiently. If your SSD is near full, performance will take a hit.

Quick Fix:

Delete unused apps, downloads, or large files.
Use Finder > Manage Storage to review and optimize space.

4. Limit Startup Programs

Too many apps launching at startup can dramatically slow boot times and use memory.

Quick Fix:

Go to System Settings > General > Login Items, and remove apps you don’t need right away.

5. Close Unused Tabs & Apps

Keeping dozens of browser tabs or background apps open can hog RAM and slow your system.

Quick Fix:

Use Activity Monitor (found in Applications > Utilities) to see what’s consuming memory.
Close or quit anything unnecessary.

6. Run Disk Utility

Your system files can sometimes develop minor errors that slow performance.

Quick Fix:

Open Disk Utility, select your startup disk, and click First Aid to scan and repair.

7. Upgrade Your Hardware (If Possible)

If you’re using an older MacBook, a RAM or SSD upgrade can make a huge difference. Many pre-2016 models allow for these upgrades—and they’re much cheaper than buying new.

👉 Explore Mac Upgrades