Home Operation and Maintenance Mac OS Why is my Mac running so slow all of a sudden?

Why is my Mac running so slow all of a sudden?

Jun 26, 2025 am 12:18 AM
Performance issues Mac slow

Your Mac suddenly slows down usually occurs due to background processes taking up resources, insufficient storage space, unupdated software, or malware. Solutions include: 1. Use the Activity Monitor to close the highly occupant app and reduce browser tags; 2. Clean up disk space and maintain at least 10% of the available capacity; 3. Check for updates to macOS and applications, and consider resetting NVRAM and SMC; 4. Run an antivirus scan to eliminate the impact of malware. Sequentially checking these issues can effectively improve performance.

Your Mac suddenly running slow can be frustrating, especially if it used to feel snappy. The most common reasons include background processes eating up resources, low storage space, outdated software, or even malware. Let's break down the main causes and what you can do about them.


Too Many Background Apps Are Running

One of the most common reasons for a sudden slowdown is that too many apps are running in the background, using up memory (RAM) and CPU power. Some apps might not look active but are still working hard behind the scenes — like syncing data, indexing files, or updating content.

What you can do:

  • Open Activity Monitor (you can find it via Spotlight search) and check which apps are using the most CPU or memory.
  • If you see something unfamiliar or unusually high usage, select it and click the “X” button to quit it.
  • Avoid keeping too many browser tabs open — browsers like Chrome can use a surprise amount of RAM.

A good habit is to restart your Mac once in a while to clear out any lingering processes.


Your Disk Is Almost Full

When your startup disk gets close to being full, macOS has trouble managing temporary files and system operations, which can cause serious slowdowns.

How to fix this:

  • Go to Apple Menu > About This Mac > Storage to see how much free space you have.
  • If you're below 10% free space, it's time to clean up:
    • Delete large or old files you no longer need.
    • Use the built-in "Optimize Storage" feature under System Settings > General > Storage .
    • Move photos, videos, or archives to an external drive or cloud service.

Sometimes just freeing up a few gigabytes can make your Mac feel much faster.


Outdated Software or System Glitches

Running outdated versions of macOS or apps can lead to performance issues. Also, sometimes system settings or app behaviors change after an update, causing unexpected slowdowns.

Things to try:

  • Check for macOS updates under System Settings > General > Software Update .
  • Make sure all your apps are updated through the App Store or their official update tools.
  • If the problem started right after an update, it could be a bug — look online to see if others are reporting similar issues with your Mac model and macOS version.

If everything looks updated but things are still sluggish, consider resetting the NVRAM (or PRAM) and SMC — these control low-level system functions and can sometimes help with performance quirks.


Malware or Other Security Threats

While Macs are generally safer than Windows PCs, they're not immune to malware. A sudden slowdown could be due to malicious software secretly mining cryptocurrency or tracking your behavior in the background.

To check and protect yourself:

  • Run a scan with a trusted antivirus tool like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender .
  • Watch for unusual activity, like your fan spinning loudly when doing nothing, or Safari redirecting to strange websites.
  • Only install apps from the App Store or verified developers, and avoid clicking on suspicious links.

If you suspect malware and aren't sure how to remove it, consider getting help from someone experienced or contacting Apple Support.


Basically, there's usually a reason behind a sudden slowdown — whether it's background apps, low storage, outdated software, or something more unusual like malware. Start with the simplest fixes first: close unused apps, free up space, and check for updates. If those don't help, dig into system diagnostics or security scans.

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