Apple’s macOS Sequoia brings exciting new features and improvements, but like every major software update, it also introduces its fair share of bugs and compatibility issues. Many users have reported problems ranging from installation failures to performance slowdowns, connectivity troubles, and app crashes.
If you’ve recently upgraded to macOS Sequoia and are experiencing issues, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This guide will walk you through the most common macOS Sequoia errors and provide step-by-step solutions to get your system running smoothly again. Whether you’re dealing with a sluggish Mac, Wi-Fi issues, or unresponsive applications, we have you covered.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you can resolve most problems without having to revert to an older macOS version. Let’s dive into the most common errors and how to fix them.
Table of Contents
Common Issues Installing and Updating macOS Sequoia
macOS Sequoia Won’t Boot or Install
If you’re having trouble installing macOS Sequoia, try these steps:
- Check Compatibility: Not all Macs support macOS Sequoia. Verify that your device is compatible by checking Apple’s official list of supported models.
- Ensure a Stable Internet Connection: If the download is slow or interrupted, switch to a different Wi-Fi network or use a wired Ethernet connection.
- Free Up Storage Space: macOS Sequoia requires at least 20 GB of free space. Check your storage by going to System Settings > General > Storage.
- Restart Your Mac: A simple restart can sometimes fix installation issues.
- Check Apple’s Server Status: If Apple’s servers are down, the update may not download properly. Visit Apple’s System Status page to check for outages.
Software Update Setup Error
If you see an error message when trying to install macOS Sequoia, try these steps:
- Restart Your Mac to clear any temporary issues.
- Free Up More Disk Space by deleting unnecessary files and uninstalling unused apps.
- Update in Safe Mode: Restart your Mac in Safe Mode and try the update again. Safe Mode prevents third-party apps from interfering with the update process.
- Use a USB Installer: If all else fails, create a macOS Sequoia installer on a USB drive and perform a manual installation. Here is a guide: Create macOS Sequoia Bootable USB for Clean Installation: 7 Easy Steps on MAC
Performance Issues After Upgrading to macOS Sequoia
Mac Runs Slower After Update
If your Mac is noticeably slower after installing macOS Sequoia, here’s what you can do:
- Let Spotlight Finish Indexing: After an update, macOS re-indexes your files, which can temporarily slow down your system. Give it some time to complete the process.
- Close Resource-Intensive Apps: Open Activity Monitor and check for processes consuming excessive CPU or RAM. Close any unnecessary applications.
- Clear Temporary Files and Cache: Use a system cleanup tool or manually delete cache files to free up system resources.
- Reduce Startup Items: Go to System Settings > General > Login Items and disable any unnecessary applications that start automatically.

High Battery Drain
If your Mac’s battery is depleting quickly, try these solutions:
- Enable Low Power Mode: Go to System Settings > Battery and turn on Low Power Mode.
- Lower Screen Brightness and close unused browser tabs.
- Disable Animations: Navigate to System Settings > Accessibility > Display and reduce motion effects.
- Identify Power-Hungry Apps: In System Settings > Battery, check which apps are consuming the most power and close them when not needed.
Here is a complete guide: How to Fix macOS Sequoia Battery Drain: 9 Quick Solutions for Optimal Performance
Connection Errors in macOS Sequoia
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Not Working
If Wi-Fi or Bluetooth stopped working after updating, try these fixes:
- Restart Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Turn them off and on again from Control Center.
- Forget and Reconnect to Your Network: Go to System Settings > Wi-Fi, select your network, and click “Forget This Network.” Then reconnect.
- Delete Network Configuration Files: Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, and enter
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/
. Delete files related to Wi-Fi settings and restart your Mac. - Test with Another Device: If your router is the issue, check if other devices can connect to the same network.

AirDrop Not Working
If AirDrop isn’t functioning properly, try the following:
- Ensure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Are Enabled.
- Set AirDrop to “Everyone” in System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff.
- Restart Both Devices.
- Disable macOS Firewall Temporarily: Go to System Settings > Network > Firewall and turn it off to see if it resolves the issue.
Application and System Function Errors
Apps Crashing or Not Opening
If some applications aren’t working correctly, follow these steps:
- Check for App Updates: Developers release patches to ensure compatibility with new macOS versions.
- Reinstall the App: Delete the application and reinstall it from the App Store or the developer’s website.
- Reset App Preferences: Some apps allow you to restore default settings, which can resolve crashes caused by corrupt configurations.

Mac Won’t Boot After Update
If your Mac won’t start properly after updating, try these solutions:
- Boot in Safe Mode: Shut down your Mac and turn it on while holding Shift.
- Reset NVRAM/PRAM (for Intel Macs only): Restart and hold Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds.
- Use Recovery Mode: Restart and press Command + R until the macOS Utilities menu appears. From there, you can reinstall macOS or use Disk Utility to repair the startup disk.
Conclusion
macOS Sequoia introduces many exciting features, but as with any major update, users may face unexpected issues. Whether it’s installation failures, performance drops, connectivity troubles, or app crashes, most problems can be resolved using the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide.
By following these solutions, you can optimize your Mac’s performance and fully enjoy the benefits of macOS Sequoia without unnecessary frustrations. If you continue to experience persistent issues, consider reaching out to Apple Support or checking online forums for additional troubleshooting steps.
Stay patient, keep your system updated, and happy computing! For more macOS Sequoia related guides, you can visit here.