Sudden lag for a few seconds

Question

Sudden lag for a few seconds

Hello community,

After downloading the latest update, MacOS Monterey 12.5.1 (21G83), sometimes I experience a weird lag on the computer, which only lasts for a few seconds, but it's really weird and shouldn't be happening. For instance, I play some music, listen to a podcast, move some files around, read an article on safari and it lags. I am worried. When that happens I usually have 2 or 3 apps running (different desktops on MacOS) such as Safari, Mail, Music, Podcasts etc. It doesn't crash. Any ideas? Thank you!

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)

4,2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

32 GB 2400 MHz DDR4

Radeon Pro 580 8 GB

Fusion HD 3,12 TB - 813,46GB Free

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 12.5

Posted on Sep 4, 2022 10:37 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Old Toad

Level 10

210,189 points

Sep 4, 2022 11:48 AM in response to MarcusAntoniusMg

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

Reply

Answer 2

Sep 6, 2022 10:57 AM in response to Old Toad

Thank you so much for this suggestion.

Have followed it, safe mode was lagging terribly, might be the case anyway, I use macintosh since 2007, had never experienced this before. I did run disk utility whilst on safe mode and now I am checking activity monitor quite often, just in case I manage to get a glimpse at what is happening. Nevertheless, this weird lag hasn't occurred again thus far. Will keep on using and testing and get back to you.

Thanks again.

Reply

Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

210,189 points

Sep 6, 2022 12:12 PM in response to MarcusAntoniusMg

Running DU in Safe Mode to do First Aid only verify's the drive. It does not repair it if needed. To be able to run First Aid on a boot drive one must be booted into the Recovery volume (Boot into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down - Intel Macs) or (How to Boot an M1 Mac into Recovery Mode)).

Reply

Answer 4

Sep 10, 2022 8:38 AM in response to Old Toad

Did all that, recovery mode as well - problem persists. Few times already today. Checking activity monitor, cannot discern anything extraordinary. I am baffled by all this.

Reply

Sudden lag for a few seconds

Similar questions