Fast fixes for Mac
Hardware peripherals can cause issues. Here’s how to fix your kit
Fix Bluetooth peripheral issues
If your Bluetooth peripheral won’t connect to your Mac, turn it off and turn it on again. If that fails, click on the Bluetooth icon in your Mac’s menu bar, then click the peripheral name in question to see if you can connect it this way. If this doesn’t work, in the same menu, select Bluetooth Settings at the bottom. This opens System Settings, with Bluetooth already selected. Click on the “i” icon next to the device in question, and then click Forget This Device. Your Mac and the device are no longer paired. Pair it again (dig out its instructions if necessary).
As your keyboard and Magic Trackpad or Magic Mouse are likely Bluetooth peripherals, it’s a good idea to keep a cheap USB mouse and keyboard handy in case you encounter any problems with these input devices. You can pick them up extremely cheaply from thrift stores, and they can be lifesavers if your regular keyboard or mouse/trackpad glitches.
Fix external display issues
If you’re having problems with your external displays, check the cables are correctly connected. If they are, unplug and reconnect it. The next step is to open System Settings, and click Displays on the left. Hold the Option key and the Night Shift button turns into Detect Displays; click it and see if it appears. You can also click Arrange to set where the screens are in relation to each other.
Fix common printer problems
If you’re struggling to get something printed, check the printer is switched on, has enough paper, and is correctly plugged into your Mac or connected to the same Wi– Fi network. Next, click the printer icon in your dock to see the print queue. If there’s more than one printer on your network, check you’re printing from the one you intended. Click ‘X’ to delete a job from the queue.
