How to Fix Mac Runs Slow After macOS Ventura Upgrade [8 Ways to Speed Up]

Dany updated on Jan 11, 2024 | Home >Computer Instruction

To find the workable solutions to fix Mac runs slow after the macOS Ventura update, you can check the following chart:

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Quit Apps or Processes Open "Utilities" in the "Applications" folder. Run "Activity-Monitor". Go to the "CPU" tab to see all...Full steps
Fix 2. Restart Your Mac Click on the "Apple" button. Restart your system by clicking on the" Restart" button...Full steps
Fix 3. Check the Spotlight Go to" System Preferences" and select "Siri & Spotlight". Under "Search Results" in the Spotlight...Full steps
Fix 4. Update the Application Open that app's settings menu and then on "Software Update". Click on the "Check for...Full steps
Other Solutions Enabling Motion effects and Transparency in your Mac can slow down your system...Full steps

Why Is macOS Ventura Running Slow on Mac

With its fantastic productivity tools, the latest macOS upgrade - macOS Ventura, has revolutionized how people work. macOS Ventura is undeniably more effective and swifter than ever.

Any new upgrade will probably have bugs and errors that might slow your device down. macOS base system is no different, and here are some reasons why your Mac runs slow after updating to macOS Ventura:

  • 📈After the upgrade to macOS Ventura, your Mac has less disk space and memory.
  • 🚫Your Mac device has bugs or random errors that might lead you to downgrade macOS Ventura to Monterey.
  • 📱The app causing the system to lag may need a different processor or graphics card.
  • 🔖Even with the latest macOS Ventura update, older Macs perform slower because they lack the latest technology.
  • 🖥️The desktop is overburdened with multiple files and apps.

So, now that we know the possible causes of your system's slow performance after installing the macOS Ventura update. Before jumping right into how to speed up macOS Ventura, you should know how to recover data lost because of updates or downgraded macOS versions.

Recover Lost Data Caused by Downgrading/Upgrading macOS 13

Your data can be deleted during the downgrading process of your macOS Ventura, and if that happens, you will lose it forever. And it is possible to lose data when the macOS Ventura upgrade failed. Thus, before reinstallation, we advise you to create a backup.

However, if you don't have a backup and want to recover your data, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is your best bet.

Here are some situations where data recovery software can help you out a tonne:

The app assists in resolving various challenging data loss situations like efficiently retrieving files from HDD, SSD, Fusion drives, Time Machine backup drives, SD cards, memory cards, USB drives, cameras, and emails. Follow the instructions given below and get back your lost data:

Note: You can create a backup by clicking the "Disk Backup" on the left first. When the disk is damaged or the data on the disk is accidentally deleted or lost, you can get the data back from the backup image.

Step 1. Select the location

Select the disk where you lost data after updating to macOS Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur. Then, click "Search for lost files".

select a location and scan for lost data after macOS update

Step 2. Find lost data after the scan

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results on the left pane. Use the file type and file path to find wanted data on Mac.

Find lost data after the scan

Step 3. Recover data after macOS update

Select the target files that were unknowingly lost during or after the update and click the "Recover" button to get them all back.

Recover data after macOS update

Fix Mac Runs Slow After macOS Ventura Update [8 Ways]

Downloading macOS Ventura on your Mac is a fascinating experience. But Isn't it annoying to notice that your Mac operates more slowly after an upgrade to macOS Ventura?

So, are you now planning to downgrade it to a lower version? Indeed, you can! However, remember that it is not the best or only fix available for the issue. Explore the eight fantastic ways below to speed up your Mac and enjoy your macOS Ventura update. Remember to share this passage to help more users fix Mac runs slow after the macOS Ventura update.

 

Fix 1. Quit Apps or Processes with Activity Monitor on macOS Ventura

Do you know that most programs on your computer run in the background and consume a significant amount of RAM and CPU? Your Mac might lag due to this, especially if it's an older Mac.

Activity monitoring is an adequate solution to prevent those apps or processes from running in the background and speed up your Mac. Let's see how:

Step 1. Open "Utilities" in the "Applications" folder.

Step 2. Run "Activity-Monitor".

Step 3. Go to the "CPU" tab to see all the background running apps.

select CPU to check all the background running apps

Step 4. Select the app, then end its background operation to improve your Mac's performance.

Note: Spotlight also offers access to "Activity Monitor." Enter "Activity Monitor" by pressing Command and Space, then press the Return key. Check the amount of CPU/Memory an app uses, and if something seems out of the ordinary, kill the app to improve performance.

Fix 2. Restart Your Mac After macOS Ventura Updates

Restarting your computer is the fastest and most straightforward way to improve Mac performance after macOS Ventura updates. Restarting your computer can remove the random and pointless data clogging up your memory and impeding background processes.

Check the steps given below to restart your Mac and fix any underlying issues created by the macOS Ventura update:

Step 1. Click on the "Apple" button.

Step 2. Restart your system by clicking on the" Restart" button.

restart your Mac or MacBook

Note: You can also hard restart your system or force shut down Mac by holding the power button for a few seconds.

Fix 3. Check the Spotlight to See Whether Your Mac Is Reindexing

Spotlight allows you to search for files, applications, and much more throughout your entire Mac. However, periodically Spotlight may need to reindex your drive, especially after installing macOS Ventura, slowing down your system.

After the reindexing is complete, your Mac starts working fine. But if it takes too long, you can abort it by following the steps below.

Step 1. Go to" System Preferences" and select "Siri & Spotlight".

open the Spotlight setting on Mac

Step 2. Under "Search Results" in the Spotlight, you need to uncheck the checkbox next to each option.

This will stop the reindexing process and will fix your slow-running Mac.

Fix 4. Update the Application to the Latest Version on Mac

Sometimes the problem is not with your macOS Ventura but with the application you are using. Additionally, your Mac may lag because an app is incompatible with the newer version of the operating system. So update all your apps to take 100% advantage of macOS Ventura.

You will find the updates if you have downloaded the app from the App Store. But if you have downloaded it from a developer, you can follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open that app's settings menu and then on "Software Update".

Step 2. Click on the "Check for updates" option, and find the latest version of that app.

update applications to the latest version

Step 3: Start updating your app. Now your system is fully updated with the latest version of macOS and the apps in it.

Note: The App Store allows you to update all your apps with just one click. Plus, it is verified by Apple for keeping your Mac safe.

Fix 5. Reduce Transparency and Motion on macOS Ventura

Enabling Motion effects and Transparency in your Mac can slow down your system too. These features take some system resources to function, which can be freed to further boost your Mac's performance.

We assure you that if you disable these, you will see significant improvement in your Mac performance. To do so, follow the instructions below.

Step 1. Open "System Preferences" and select "Accessibility."

Step 2. Click on "Display."

reduce transparency on your Mac

Step 3. Under the display, uncheck the "Reduce motion" and the "Reduce transparency" option. By doing this, you have successfully disabled motion and transparency effects. Try this method and see the difference in your Mac.

Fix 6. Free Up the Storage Space of Your Mac/MacBook and Speed Up macOS Ventura

When you update a mac, the new version of the Mac will always take more storage space than the previous one because of the new features added to it. And as a result, your system starts facing errors and lags, making the macOS Ventura slow.

So check your storage space and eliminate all the unnecessary files on your Mac. Or store essential data on any external drive to create free space for seamless macOS Ventura performance.

Follow the steps below to check your Mac's storage:

Step 1. Click on the "Apple Menu" and select "About this Mac."

Step 2. Select the "Storage" tab to see the storage information of your Mac.

check storage space on Mac

If you find out that your storage space is running out, you can clear the junk files by following the steps.

Step 1. Click the "Manage" button.

Step 2. Select the "Optimized Storage" option on your Mac, and all your junk files will be deleted in one click.

delete junk files on Mac

This will help you clean your Mac of junk files that might make the overall system lag.

Fix 7. Remove Unnecessary Startup Applications to Speed Up macOS Ventura

After you launch your Mac, many apps automatically start running in the background. It will significantly slow down the startup process and your entire experience when those apps need to be updated.

We aim to remove those unnecessary apps that bog down our macOS Ventura's speed. So follow the process below:

Step 1. Open "System Preferences" and select "General."

Step 2. Select the "Login Items" option.

remove unnecessary startup applications on Mac

Step 3. In Login Items, turn off the apps you don't want to open at startup by clicking on the toggle switch against that option.

You have successfully removed the unnecessary startup load from your Mac, making your macOS Ventura fast.

Fix 8. Reset SMC/NVRAM/PRAM on Mac

Non-Volatile RAM or NVRAM is one of the most crucial parts of a Mac because all the new macs run on it. System Management Controller or SMC is responsible for maintaining the overall Mac's functioning.

So you have to be very careful while performing this fix to speed up your macOS Ventura. But assuming that nothing has worked for you, we have come up with this fix for you.

Resetting SMC/NVRAM/PRAM helps you clean any bug or error that might have been caused by the new Ventura update and clean your Mac for improving performance.

Here are the steps to reset SMC for iMac, Mac Pro, or Mac Mini:

Step 1. Power off your Mac and unplug the charging cord if attached.

Step 2. Plug the power cord back in after at least 15 to 20 seconds.

Step 3. Now turn on your Mac after 5 to 10 seconds.

For SMC reset in MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air:

Step 1. Power off your Mac and unplug the charging cord if attached.

Step 2. Plug the power cord back in after 15 to 20 seconds.

Step 3. Hold the Shift+ Option+ Control and Power Key together for a minimum of 10 seconds, and once your MacBook turns on, release all keys.

press the four keys to reset SMC

To reset NVRAM and PRAM:

Step 1. Power off your MacBook.

Step 2. After 30 to 50 seconds, hold the Option+ Command+ P and R keys together until the Mac restarts.

NVRAM Reset Keys

Warning: Wrong steps can lead you to a big problem because your Mac can boot into recovery mode. So follow the instructions given carefully to avoid any issues.

We hope that the above-given fixes have helped you successfully improve the macOS Ventura's performance after an update. But if you still have issues with it, you can refer to our bonus tip and downgrade your macOS Ventura to an older version.

Bonus Tip: How to Downgrade macOS Ventura to an Older Version

Finally, after trying all the possible fixes, we are left with just one option, entirely reverting the macOS Ventura to the older version.

Reverting your OS can cause your data to be lost forever. However, we have a fix, so don't worry; follow the steps below to downgrade macOS Ventura.

Note: Make a Time Machine backup before proceeding with the steps below.

For Intel-based Macs:

Step 1. Power off your Mac and boot by holding the Shit+ Option+ Command+ R keys to Recovery.

Step 2. Now, select the startup disk labeled "Macintosh HD," enter your password and select "Continue."

Step 3. From Recovery, select "Disk Utility," select your drive, and then on "Erase." Now, choose the GUID Partition Map and the format as APFS.

Step 4. Return to "Recovery" and then "reinstall macOS."

reinstall macOS

For Apple Silicon Macs:

Step 1. Power off your Mac and hold the power button till you see the “Loading startup options” popup.

Step 2. Click on "Options" and then hit the "Continue" button. Now, enter the password for your administrator account.

Step 3. Return to "Recovery," select the Macintosh HD drive, and hit the "Erase" button.

Step 4. You should see a new option, Reinstall macOS Monterey. Select it, hit the "Continue" button, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Wait for a few minutes because downgrading macOS will take a little time. After downgrading, your OS will start working as it used to.

Summary

Hopefully, this article is a lifesaver for anyone who recently installed macOS Ventura but later discovered that their system has gotten extremely slow with an upgraded version. We have covered eight straightforward ways to speed up Mac OS Ventura. In addition, you can also follow the step-by-step tutorial for downgrading macOS Ventura.

With the aid of the effective data recovery tool EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, you can also manage to keep your data from being lost permanently.

Mac Runs Slow After macOS Ventura Update FAQs

Even though we tried to cover everything related to Fix Mac Running Slow After macOS Ventura Update, if you still have questions, please see the FAQs listed below.

How do I downgrade macOS Ventura to Monterey on Mac?

Downgrading your macOS Ventura is risky in terms of data loss. Nevertheless, there is always a solution, so don't worry if you lose data because you can recover it using the EaseUS Data Recovery tool.

To downgrade macOS Ventura to Monterey:

  1. 1. Restart your Mac.
  2. 2. Hold the Shit+ Option+ Command+ R keys.
  3. 3. Enter the Password and hit "Continue".
  4. 4. Press "Next" and reinstall macOS.

Why is my Mac so slow all of a sudden in 2023?

There are many reasons why your Mac may be operating slowly, and here are some of the most common ones listed below:

  1. 1. Limited Disk Space and less memory available than the app you're using needs.
  2. 2. Your Mac might be outdated and can't handle the demanding resource requirements.
  3. 3. Too many background tasks clogging up your system
  4. 4. High-intensity visuals take up extra system memory and processing power
  5. 5. Outdated apps might cause errors
  6. 6. macOS might have some underlying bugs or system errors

What should I do if macOS Ventura is running slow on my MacBook Pro?

Here are a few simple and quick tips to improve the performance of macOS Ventura on your MacBook Pro:

  1. 1. End background processes and apps with Activity Monitor.
  2. 2. Disable startup programs.
  3. 3. Turn off the Stage Manager.
  4. 4. Install the most recent build of macOS.
  5. 5. Clear the clutter from your home screen.
  6. 6. Remove motion effects and Transparency.

How do I find out what is slowing down my Mac?

Many things might slow down your Mac. Try checking the following things to see what is slowing down your Mac:

  1. 1. Insufficient disk space.
  2. 2. Lots of background apps.
  3. 3. Use of demanding motion effects and Transparency.
  4. 4. High CPU and Memory usage.
  5. 5. Slow internet connection
  6. 6. Pending apps and system updates.
  7. 7. Junk files clog up the system.

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Updated by Dany

Dany is an editor of EaseUS who lives and works in Chengdu, China. She focuses on writing articles about data recovery on Mac devices and PCs. She is devoted to improving her writing skills and enriching her professional knowledge. Dany also enjoys reading detective novels in her spare time.

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