Are you constantly glued to your device for professional or personal reasons? If your Mac computer is an integral component of earning a livelihood, it will make you feel helpless when the computer suddenly stops working or displays error messages. Before the issue gets exacerbated, know what the common error messages mean and how you can solve them.
Xcrun: Error: Invalid Active Developer Path
The error message “xcrun: error: invalid active developer path (/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools)” typically appears when using the Terminal application. It usually appears after a software update when you are trying to run some commands.
You can fix the missing xcrun Mac by running the command “Xcode-select –install” in the Terminal app. This solution is if you want to run some commands and don’t want to download anything.
Your Disk is Almost Full
This error message pops up when there’s a lack of storage space on your Mac. Your device is bloated with too many files, attachments, apps, documents, movies, music, etc. If you haven’t decluttered your system in a long time, this is your queue.
You can start by emptying the trash so you can make sure all the deleted items are removed from your computer. The Trash bin is often overlooked, and files remain there, continuing to take up space.
Then, attack the Downloads folder because this is where you will find lots of duplicate files and also large files that you don’t need anymore. Most files will probably be saved in different locations. Delete them and free up space. Next, uninstall the unnecessary applications. As you go through the list, you are bound to find apps that you haven’t used in a long time and might not use in the near future. Uninstall them by going to the App Store.
Finally, click About This Mac > Storage to check the other areas you need to declutter. Here, you will see all the different items that are taking up most of the disk space.
You Can’t Open The Application Because It is Not Supported On This Type Of Mac
Are you using an outdated macOS version? If you see this error message, the answer is yes. This message pops up on the screen when the macOS version is not up-to-date, or the app is outdated and not in sync with the macOS version.
The solution is simple. Update the app and the macOS version.
Kernel Panic: You Need to Restart Your Mac
Kernel panics are rare, but they can be vexing. The device freezes, and the screen turns grey. It displays a large symbol for turning the power on/off, and it will be displayed in different languages. You will see the message “You need to restart your computer.”
Whenever there’s an internal error, your system detects it and then displays this error message if it cannot recover from it.
When you see a kernel panic, reboot your system. Or you can shut it down and switch it on after a few seconds. The problem should be solved. But if the issue keeps happening frequently, it might be a sign that something is wrong. The issue might be with the RAM or graphics card. Seek assistance from Apple Support.
Mac Displays A Folder With A Question Mark
This error message means your device cannot find the hard drive. If you didn’t know, your Mac can start up from different drives, including external drives.
If you have used an external drive as a startup drive but then disconnected it, this error might occur. Or it might indicate there’s something wrong with the internal drive.
When your Mac is starting up, press the Alt key and re-select the internal hard drive.
If the issue persists, use the Recovery Partition to reinstall the Mac operating system.
General Tips For Solving Mac Error Messages
Listing all the error messages is impossible because there are simply too many of them. Hence, follow these general tips to solve almost all error messages.
- Restart your computer when you see an error message. Restarting gives your computer a fresh start and usually solves minor glitches.
- Update the macOS software by going to System Preferences > Software Update. Also, you can turn on automatic software updates so that your Mac always runs the latest software.
- Ensure to shut down your Mac at least once a week.
- If you do not understand the error messages, cut and paste them into Google. Also, you can check Mac’s error logs, where you will get information on all the reported error messages and codes, along with their workarounds.
- Do not hesitate to ask for help. Head down to your nearest service center and let the technicians guide you.
The Bottom Line
This is your guide to solving common Mac error messages. Do you have anything to add to this list? Leave a comment below.