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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

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 4, 2022 11:48 AM

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


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4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

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


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.

Sudden lag for a few seconds

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