Fix slow mac computer download#

I generally focus on the System Memory statistics at the bottom of Activity Monitor. Activity Monitor now shows System Memory at the bottom. If an app is using a disproportionate amount of Real Mem and Virtual Mem, you can quit it by selecting it in the list and clicking Quit Process. Look under the column headers Real Mem and Virtual Mem. Then restart your Mac. Among other things, this clears your swapfiles.Ĭheck memory usage with Activity Monitor: As before, to check for memory usage problems, launch Activity Monitor. Quit apps: To improve matters, quit apps that you aren’t currently using. (To find these, select Go > Go to Folder in the Finder, type in /var/vm, and click Go.) Swapfiles can contribute to a system slowdown by using up disk space. Virtual memory also creates swapfiles that increase in size over time. The more heavily your Mac has to depend on virtual memory, the slower it will perform. Physical memory accesses installed RAM chips. Physical memory is faster. Virtual memory uses space on the Mac’s drive. Macs depend on a combination of physical memory and virtual memory to get things done. You might also try using Google’s Chrome: If one tab misbehaves in Chrome, you can use Activity Monitor to zap it without bringing down the whole app. To reduce the odds that a Safari slowdown will recur, minimize the number of webpages you keep open at one time.

If webpages are loading extremely slowly, and if the % CPU for Safari and/or Safari Web Content remains high, it’s time to take action. To find out, select the app and click the Quit Process button.īy far, the most likely source of trouble is Apple’s Safari (and more specifically, a webpage that uses Flash). If an app consistently remains at or near the top of the % CPU list-and especially if it accounts for an atypically high percentage of the CPU’s workload (probably anything over 50 percent, and certainly anything over 80 percent)-that app may be gumming up the works. Check your speed again.Īctivity Monitor’s Disk Usage list, sorted by ‘% CPU’ disk storage statistics appear at the bottom. If you have a separate router, such as an AirPort Extreme, do the same with the router. Wait a few seconds and then turn it back on.ĭisconnect and reconnect your modem: Unplug your Internet modem and wait for about 10 seconds. To do so, go to the Wi-Fi menu in the menu bar and select Turn Wi-Fi Off. If so, you may be able to put things right by turning Wi-Fi off and then back on. It may, for instance, have an unusually weak Wi-Fi connection. If the slowdown occurs on only one machine, the problem most likely originates with that Mac. Test all your Macs: If you have more than one Mac, test the Internet speed on all of them. Alternatively, your ISP may offer to check and perhaps fix your modem connection via remote commands. If so, you’ll have to wait for someone else to correct the issue. If you detect a slowdown, call your ISP to ask if it is experiencing general problems that may be affecting you.

Fix slow mac computer download#

You probably pay for certain upload and download speeds-look at your bill or check with your ISP to see what those speeds are supposed to be. Since I use Comcast Internet service, I go to Comcast Speed Test. IDGĬheck your speed: If you can get the page to load, go to a site that tests Internet connection speeds. Are you even connected to the Internet? Here, Network Diagnostics reports good news.