Top 10 Common macOS Tahoe Issues and Their Fixes

As macOS Tahoe is coming out, many Mac users are seeking to upgrade to the latest version to enjoy its groundbreaking new features and improved performance. However, similar to every other major macOS release, macOS Tahoe also has a list of unexpected issues.

From compatibility problems and lag to design choices that may not be up to your standards, there is a wide range of macOS issues you may run into. In this article, we’ll outline the 10 most common issues other users have complained about and demonstrate how to fix each bug. By learning how to repair these issues, you’ll get the best out of macOS Tahoe.

10 Most Common macOS Tahoe Issues and Fixes

Along with or after the upgrading process, you may encounter unexpected issues. Here, we’ve collected the top 10 macOS Tahoe errors and found quick fixes for them.

Unfamiliar New UI

One of the main changes of macOS Tahoe is the new UI. It incorporates the “Liquid Glass” design language. This new design has translucent elements that reflect and refract their surroundings. Even the menu bar is fully transparent. Additionally, the Dock, sidebars, and toolbars have been updated to feature the Liquid Glass appearance.

However, some users have complained that the new appearance is too large and intrusive. The larger buttons and more rounded corners may deviate from the traditional macOS aesthetic.

If you're unfamiliar with the new UI in macOS Tahoe, you can run through the tutorials and onboarding docs that guide you through the new navigation and features. You can also install third-party menu bar manager apps compatible with macOS Tahoe. These apps may allow you to customize the UI as per your requirements.

Reduced Performance

It is normal to experience slow performance after upgrading to macOS Tahoe. This is because the updates in the new operating system may not be compatible with every hardware configuration. Take the built-in radiator as an example: if it fails to work properly, it may lead to high temperatures and reduce the app’s performance.

Additionally, the initial installation may leave some outdated or incompatible software, which can cause conflicts and slow down your machine. Furthermore, macOS Tahoe can require more internal storage than previous versions, and if your Mac doesn't have enough room on its disk, it can’t keep up.

To fix slower performance on macOS Tahoe, BuhoCleaner has an all-in-one solution. This expert Mac cleaner software helps you free up storage space and delete duplicate apps simultaneously. With this software, you can identify and remove various kinds of junk files, apps, and even big files.

Mac Overheating

After you have upgraded to macOS Tahoe, it's common to experience device overheating issues. The new operating system may have some hardware or software compatibility issues that can lead to high CPU load and heat. On the other hand, the system power management settings might not be tuned yet.

To fix the device heating issue, you can try the following steps:

• Close unwanted programs to reduce CPU load.
• Disable unwanted startup items to prevent them from running in the background and consuming resources (You can disable the startup apps with BuhoCleaner).
• Close unwanted browser pages to save system resources.
• Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) to enhance power management
• Maintain your Mac updated with the latest build so that you will get bug fixes and performance improvements.

Sluggish Animations

You may encounter sluggish animations because macOS Tahoe animations and transparency effects can use a lot of system resources. To fix this issue, you can take the following steps to disable them:

1. Go to "System Settings" > "Accessibility" >"Display".
2. Enable "Reduce Transparency".

   

3. Back to "Accessibility", then click "Motion" > "Reduce Motion".

   

Battery Draining Fast

The battery might also be affected after you upgrade to macOS Tahoe. To fix it, you can take care of your battery with the following methods:

• Battery drain may be temporary after updates. Wait 24 to 48 hours for the performance to recover.
• Open "Activity Monitor" and check the "Energy" tab to identify battery-sucking apps.
• Optimize battery charging by navigating to "System Settings" >" Battery" > "Battery Health" and turning on "Optimized Battery Charging".

App Compatibility Issues

Even if you’ve upgraded to macOS Tahoe, not all applications may be fully compatible with the latest version. Some apps might crash on launch, freeze during use, or display UI elements that are misaligned or overlap with the system’s new interface.

To fix these issues, you can:

• Check if there is an update for the faulty software.
• Identify if the app is a 32-bit application and look for a 64-bit version or an alternative.
• By adjusting the “Security and Privacy Settings”, ensure that the app has permission to run correctly.
• Uninstall the problematic app and then reinstall it.
• Clear the app caches and preference files to resolve conflicts.

Installation Stuck at “Preparing for Update”

Due to insufficient disk space, software glitches, network disruptions, or corrupted download files, the macOS Tahoe installation may get stuck at “Preparing for Update”.

To fix this issue, you can try the following methods:

• Force restart your computer and retry.
• Check your internet connection and ensure it's stable.
• The macOS Tahoe installation requires more free space than regular updates do. If your disk space is less than 35GB, consider getting more free space with BuhoCleaner.
• Check if there are issues with Apple's Servers.

Files Missing After Upgrade

If you lose files due to upgrading to macOS, you may suffer from iCloud sync issues, software issues, disk errors, and other problems.

To get back your important files, you can:

• Check the Trash and look for your missing files.
• Files may be hidden after an update. You can reveal the hidden files by opening Terminal, typing defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE and killall Finder.
• Ensure you’ve enabled the iCloud syncing feature.
• If you have set up a backup via Time Machine, you can also restore the files via Time Machine.
• If you use the Parallels Toolbox, the “Presentation Mode” feature might hide desktop files. Disable this feature to make your files visible again.
• Use a Mac data recovery tool to restore your missing files.

Related Article: Desktop Files Missing on Mac? Here's the Fix

Bluetooth and Audio Issues

It’s upsetting to find that your Bluetooth and audio are not working after upgrading to macOS Tahoe. However, this is also a common issue, and it may occur when there are software bugs, compatibility problems with devices, or corrupted settings.

Here are the solutions to fix these issues.

• Open "System Settings", locate "Bluetooth", and restart it.
• Go to "System Settings" > "Sound" >"Output" to check if you’ve connected to the right audio output device.
• Forget the connected devices and reconnect them.
• Open Terminal and type sudo pkill bluetoothd to reset the Bluetooth module.
• Launch Finder and find the ~/Library/Preferences/ and delete the com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file to delete.

Incomplete Apple Intelligence Features

In macOS Tahoe, Apple introduces more features with Apple Intelligence, but some users have complained that features, such as voice commands, are yet to be fully functional. Users can also experience delays or inaccuracies in voice recognition. It is normal to experience some issues in the initial release.

To rectify these issues, wait for Apple to introduce patches for these bugs.

Conclusion

It’s common to encounter issues after upgrading to macOS Tahoe. Check the top 10 macOS Tahoe issues and find the quick fixes in this post. To enjoy a better experience with macOS Tahoe, you’re encouraged to be equipped with BuhoCleaner, which can ensure your computer is always in a good state.