Have you installed macOS 11 (Big Sur) and run into problems? You’re not the only one. In this overview we collect the most common problems and offer solutions.
macOS Big Sur problems: 6 solutions
nicknamed Big Sur, macOS 11 is one of the biggest Mac updates in years. From a new design, Control Panel, renewed apps (such as Safari) to all kinds of privacy options: a lot has changed since macOS Catalina. Such a major upgrade involves a lot of teething problems, as has been shown in recent days.
The Apple website and internet forums are overflowing with people who have problems with macOS 11 Big Sur. These are the most common complaints, and this is how you can solve them.
1. Failed to download macOS Big Sur
The release of macOS 11 (Big Sur) did not go completely smoothly. A lot of Mac users were unable to download the update immediately. It later turned out that there was something wrong with the installation file, which prevented many people from starting the download.
Still haven’t managed to bring in Big Sur? First check if the problem is not by chance with Apple by going to their system status website to go. If you see a red dot here next to “macOS Software Update”, you cannot get the update.
It is also wise to double check whether you have enough storage space on your Mac. Big Sur needs about 15GB of free disk space, otherwise you won’t be able to download the new version. You can check the free disk space by clicking the Apple icon in the top left menu bar, selecting ‘About this Mac’ and then going to ‘Storage’.
2. Installation is not possible or takes a long time
Can you download macOS Big Sur, but can’t get it working? Then something may go wrong during installation. This is the case, for example, if you keep seeing a black screen with a white Apple logo during the update. The installation bar at the bottom, which indicates how far along you are in the process, then ‘freezes’.
Initially, patience is the magic word. Only when the bar has not moved at all after an hour or two is it time for action. Shut down your Mac completely and restart it. For most people, the installation bar now suddenly ‘shoots through’ and you can therefore continue installing the new macOS version.
Does the bar still hang? Or are you unable to progress through the installation process in another way? Then it’s time to boot your Mac in Safe Mode. You do this by pressing the Shift key immediately after the Mac has restarted and then holding it. When the gray Apple logo appears, release it. Does this work? Then shut down your Mac and restart it in the ‘normal’ way.
3. Mac is slow and fan is working overtime
This problem occurs with every new macOS version: your Mac is slower than before after updating. Most of the time, you can easily fix this problem by having a little patience. After your Mac has installed Big Sur, all kinds of processes are completed in the background and that takes computing power.
4. Apps no longer work (properly)
Do certain apps no longer work so smoothly after updating? Then there is a good chance that you will have to update them. Big Sur is a major update, so developers have had to tweak their programs to get them running properly on your Mac. You do this by going to the Mac App Store and then installing all updates for your apps in the ‘Updates’ tab.
Safari is crazy
Apple has given a lot of its own apps a fresh look in Big Sur, including Safari. The browser has, among other things, been given new tabs and useful icons. Unfortunately, Safari doesn’t work well for everyone right away. For example, the browser can no longer play sound or shows websites strange.
In that case, it is best to delete the cookies. To do this, open Safari and go to ‘Safari’ in the menu bar, choose ‘Preferences’ and tap ‘Privacy’. Here you choose ‘Manage website data’ and then tap the website (s) with which you are having problems. Finally, choose ‘Delete’ to delete the cookies from that site (s).
6. Black screen
Do you have a MacBook Pro from 2013 or 2014 and are you stuck on a black screen while updating? Can’t get to safe mode and restarting your laptop is not helpful? The good news is, you’re not alone. In recent days, more and more of these types of messages have appeared on the internet.
There is also bad news: the solution is not yet there. Apple itself advises you to send your MacBook, which in practice can do no more, for repair. We like iPhone go along with this. Do you happen to be reading this post and haven’t updated to macOS 11 yet? Then we advise you to wait until there is more clarity about this problem.
Long wait is over
Last June, macOS Big Sur was already announced, but Apple took a long time to release the new version. This probably has to do with the announcements of the new computers, which will run on Big Sur right out of the box.
The brand new MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini are the first to have an M1 chip instead of Intel and are made with Big Sur in mind. They therefore make optimal use of the new macOS version. We will tell you all about it in the video below.
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