macOS Sierra 10.12.4 Update Problem (extremely slow)

Question

Level 1

20 points

macOS Sierra 10.12.4 Update Problem (extremely slow)

I regularly update my MacBook Pro. I usually don't abuse my laptop. There is enough RAM and space. There is no overhead on the CPU. I've checked that in the activity monitor. Today I installed the following updates:

1- macOS Sierra 10.12.4 update.

2- Command Line Tools (macOS Sierra version 10.12) for Xcode.

After these updates, my laptop is a mess.

My laptop runs extremely slow. Every time I click on an icon or open an app, the spinning wheel starts and takes up to half minute. Restarting the laptop is a nightmare. I have to wait up to 6 minutes for the laptop to operates. I've done the following with no hope:

1- Repair the disk (i.e. First Aid).

2- Reset SMC & NVRAM.

3- Checked the CPU (i.e. no overhead).

4- Checked Memory (i.e. shows Green color).

5- Regularly clean junk files via Dr. Cleaner app plus the optimization.

6- In Display, reduce motion and increase contrast and Reduce transparency. (6- Note: I've noticed a better performance but still slow).

These are the info of my laptop

Model Name: MacBook Pro

Model Identifier: MacBookPro8,1

Processor Name: Intel Core i5

Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 2

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 3 MB

Memory: 4 GB

Boot ROM Version: MBP81.0047.B32

SMC Version (system): 1.68f99

Hardware UUID: 5BB19AD5-CDA2-51A3-8D39-DCD14C4427B1

Sudden Motion Sensor:

State: Enabled

CPU:

System: 6.79%

User: 5.19%

Idle: 91.88%

Threads: 863

Processes: 205

Memory:

Physical Used: 4.00GB

Memory Used: 2.83GB

Cached Fiels: 500MB

Swap Used: 500MB

Disk:

Reads in: 400,490

Writes out: 62,224

Reads in/sec: 9

Writes out/sec: 3

Thank you in advanced.

MacBook Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.4), null

Posted on Mar 29, 2017 12:41 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Mar 30, 2017 3:40 AM in response to BCRO12

Get rid of Dr. Cleaner and never use it again. It can corrupt you Mac.

Rid the Mac of the torrent application. Torrents are an excellent vehicle for introducing malware in a Mac.

Install additional RAM. Your Mac can address up to 16 GB RAM but 8 will probably be sufficient. The best sources of Mac compatible RAM are OWC and Crucial.

Ciao.

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Answer 2

Apr 4, 2017 6:06 PM in response to BCRO12

I can confirm that 10.12.4 system update is clearly causing boot up problems.

The exact minutes after the update I started having problems upon restarts. (they just freez on white screen and only after 3-5min it boots normally..) I had to restore to 10.12.3 with Time Machine.

I'm not updating anymore until they completely fix this. (we should report this issue).

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Apr 9, 2017 3:41 AM in response to jewwels

jewwels wrote:

Can you tell me the steps you use to roll back to the previous version Sierra 10.12.3? I am not real tech savvy and need assistance (I am scared to do the wrong step). Any assistance would be appreciate. I use Time Machine.

Note the date that you made the upgrade to 10.12.4. Do a complete Time Machine restore to a date prior the date that you made the upgrade to 10.12.4. The simplest method probably is to boot into the recovery partition and select 'Restore from Time Machine Backup':

You also might find this link sueful:

http://pondini.org/TM/14.html

Ciao.

Addendum: Note that the result will not reflect any changes or additions that you have made since the date of the install of 10.12.4.

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Answer 4

BCRO12 Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 29, 2017 8:34 PM in response to BCRO12

This is the report produced by EtreCheck

EtreCheck version: 3.1.5 (343)

Report generated 2017-03-30 06:18:00

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime 6:58

Performance: Below Average

Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Click the [Remove] links to remove adware.

Problem: Computer is too slow

Hardware Information: ⓘ

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)

[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,1

1 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (i5-2415M) CPU: 2-core

4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 629

Video Information: ⓘ

Intel HD Graphics 3000

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software: ⓘ

macOS Sierra 10.12.4 (16E195) - Time since boot: about one day

Disk Information: ⓘ

APPLE HDD HTS545050A7E362 disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)

[Show SMART report]

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

Macintosh HD (disk1) / [Startup]: 498.89 GB (153.11 GB free)

Core Storage: disk0s2 499.25 GB Online

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8 ()

USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Genius USB Optical Mouse

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers

Adware: ⓘ

~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.bittorrent.uTorrent.plist

One adware file found. [Remove]

Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

/Library/Application Support/Hotspot Shield

[not loaded] com.anchorfree.tun (1.1.1 - SDK 10.8 - 2015-05-06) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions

[loaded] com.dvdfab.kext.fabio (1.0 - 2017-03-29) [Support]

System Launch Agents: ⓘ

[failed] com.apple.metadata.mdflagwriter.plist (2017-03-23)

[not loaded] 7 Apple tasks

[loaded] 177 Apple tasks

[running] 75 Apple tasks

[killed] 22 Apple tasks

22 processes killed due to insufficient RAM

System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[not loaded] 43 Apple tasks

[loaded] 177 Apple tasks

[running] 85 Apple tasks

[killed] 14 Apple tasks

14 processes killed due to insufficient RAM

Launch Agents: ⓘ

[failed] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a725c38014c95072f92651fb65e1bf9c8e43c37a2 3d420d.plist (2017-01-11) [Support]

[loaded] com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist (2015-06-30) [Support]

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer.plist (2015-04-19) [Support]

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_desktop.plist (2015-04-19) [Support]

Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (2017-01-11) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (2017-01-11) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2017-03-01) [Support]

[loaded] com.anchorfree.ajaxserver.plist (2013-11-08) [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper.plist (2017-03-13) [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2010-08-25) [Support]

[loaded] com.teamviewer.Helper.plist (2015-04-18) [Support]

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_service.plist (2015-04-19) [Support]

User Launch Agents: ⓘ

[failed] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2015-02-09) [Support] - /Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/MacOS/Updater/Adobe Reader Updater Helper.app/Contents/MacOS/Adobe Reader Updater Helper: Executable not found!

[loaded] com.bittorrent.uTorrent.plist (2017-03-23) Adware! [Remove]

/usr/bin/open

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2017-01-14) [Support]

User Login Items: ⓘ

iTunesHelper Application (2017-03-24)

(/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

Google Drive Application

(/Applications/Google Drive.app)

Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

FlashPlayer-10.6: 25.0.0.127 - SDK 10.9 (2017-03-23) [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2017-03-29)

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 15.023.20056 - SDK 10.11 (2017-02-09) [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: 15.023.20056 - SDK 10.11 (2017-02-09) [Support]

Flash Player: 25.0.0.127 - SDK 10.9 (2017-03-23) [Support]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.7.2 - SDK 10.6 (2017-03-15) [Support]

Silverlight: 5.1.41212.0 - SDK 10.6 (2016-03-15) [Support]

VLC Plugin: 2.2.1 (2015-04-14) [Support]

User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

Folx3Plugin: 3.0.1 - SDK 10.6 (2017-03-13) [Support]

Safari Extensions: ⓘ

Adblock Plus - Eyeo GmbH - https://adblockplus.org/ (2017-01-04)

3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

Flash Player (2017-03-01) [Support]

TeXDistPrefPane (2015-09-06) [Support]

Time Machine: ⓘ

Time Machine not configured!

Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

12% Safari

9% com.apple.Safari.ImageDecoder

8% WindowServer

6% ps

6% hidd

Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

472 MB kernel_task

328 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(3)

303 MB mdworker(9)

233 MB Safari

119 MB Google Chrome

Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

525 MB Available RAM

15 MB Free RAM

3.49 GB Used RAM

510 MB Cached files

610 MB Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

Mar 29, 2017, 09:12:44 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mds_2017-03-29-091244_[redacted].crash

/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/Metadat a.framework/Versions/A/Support/mds

Mar 29, 2017, 08:16:18 AM Self test - passed

Mar 29, 2017, 02:59:41 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025941_[redacted].crash

/System/Library/CoreServices/backupd.bundle/Contents/Resources/mtmd

Mar 29, 2017, 02:59:26 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025926_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:59:16 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025916_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:59:06 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025906_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:58:56 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025856_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:58:46 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025846_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:58:39 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025839_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:58:26 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025826_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:58:14 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025814_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:58:04 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025804_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:57:55 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025755_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:57:49 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025749_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:57:34 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025734_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:57:23 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025723_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:57:10 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025710_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:57:00 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025700_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:56:56 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025656_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:56:39 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025639_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:56:38 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025638_[redacted].crash

Mar 29, 2017, 02:56:21 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mtmd_2017-03-29-025621_[redacted].crash

Mar 27, 2017, 10:33:27 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mds_stores_2017-03-27-223327_[redacted].crash

/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/Metadat a.framework/Versions/A/Support/mds_stores

Reply

Answer 5

Bomayed

Level 1

8 points

Apr 25, 2017 7:50 AM in response to BCRO12

This is what I did to solve the problem :

1- Go to preference/energy saver change the sleep mode to NEVER

2-Downloaded the update file manually thought this link :

Download macOS Sierra 10.12.4 Combo Update

After installing the update again, restarted as normal , it worked. Hope it helps.

Reply

Answer 6

QBEX

Level 1

12 points

Apr 11, 2017 12:29 AM in response to bluebird1

Spoke to Apple Support today and the following fixed all my issues (after I've done everything on this thread to date):

Shut down and then held down SHIFT whilst hitting the power button. Kept SHIFT down until logo came up and logged in - was in Safe Boot mode.

I then opened Google, Safari and Firefox and this then worked - even mail. (No more internet issues)

Shut down - started up normally and did the following:

Finder - GO - GO TO FOLDER - /Library/LaunchDaemons - moved all to TRASH
Finder - GO - GO TO FOLDER - /Library/LaunchAgent - moved all to TRASH
Finder - GO - GO TO FOLDER - /Library/Startupitems - moved all to TRASH
Open SYSTEM PREFERENCES - Open USERS - go to LOG IN ITEMS - remove all with the ‘-‘.
Restarted Macbook Air
Start up normally and log in - all sorted

Even my drives were not being picked up via USB - this has all been sorted.

Reply

Answer 7

matrichd

Level 1

4 points

Mar 29, 2017 12:55 AM in response to BCRO12

On top of this, whenever my laptop locks out, I am unable to log on again using both the password and the Touch ID. I have to force it to restart which is very scarily. Could you please urgently help on this?

It is too slow and reboot or re logging in is a big problem.

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Answer 8

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,936 points

Apr 2, 2017 9:01 AM in response to BCRO12

Long boot times can portend a hard drive failure. Note the original Etrecheck report on your computer screen has a "Show SMART status" option. Click it to see the condition fo your hard drive.

Normally I am the last one to say "add RAM" until all the software issues are sorted but, if you insist on continuing with the resource-hogging Google apps, you should consider increasing RAM to 8GB. Should be enough.

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Answer 9

Apr 2, 2017 5:28 PM in response to BCRO12

I have seen the exact same thing. As soon as I had finished the update, my problems started.

My machine will run okay for a period of time, then it will just completely lockup for a period of time (a few minutes). Rebooting doesn't help at all and I have gone though all the things already stated in the first post here... nothing seems to help at all.

It feels like something is taking up all the resources, but after running TOP it looks like there is still plenty of resources available for the machine. I would say my HDD is developing some bad blocks, but I am actually running an SSD on this machine so I don't see how that could be possible.

My machine details are:

Model Name:	MacBook Pro
Model Identifier:	MacBookPro11,3
Processor Name:	Intel Core i7
Processor Speed:	2.5 GHz
Number of Processors:	1
Total Number of Cores:	4
L2 Cache (per Core):	256 KB
L3 Cache:	6 MB
Memory:	16 GB
Boot ROM Version:	MBP112.0138.B25
SMC Version (system):	2.19f12

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Answer 10

Apr 4, 2017 12:36 PM in response to BCRO12

I've got the same problem - spinning beach ball that started immediately after updating my MBP 8,3 (16GB RAM) with the MacOS 10.12.4 update. Mine seems confined to Safari, however - every time I go to a new page. I get the spinning beach ball, then I have to force quit Safari (while other apps seem to work fine for whatever reason). I am entering this reply using Google Chrome, since Safari locks up after the latest Sierra update on March 30, 2017. When is a fix coming out?

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Answer 11

Apr 4, 2017 6:39 PM in response to BCRO12

I have a feeling it has something to do with memory.. for the first time ever on my machine I am utilising swap space. I have 16gig of ram, and not doing a whole lot on the computer and its all gone and swap is being used...

Reply

Answer 12

jewwels

Level 1

13 points

Apr 6, 2017 5:16 PM in response to BCRO12

Hi, I I just downloaded the new macOS Sierra 10.12.4. As soon as I did this i couldn't get into my mail account. I never checked the other things out. So I phone Apple, and after 1.5 hours on the phone, checking everything out. I was told I need for RAM memory. My mail account wasn't fixed as they were trying to setup a "test" mail account, and that couldn't be done securely…not sure if SSL is marked off anywhere - can't see where that would be entered or checked. I called my provider…changed password…and still doesn't work on "test" mail account. Back to square one. Oh and I asked Apple to go back to previous version 10.12.3 and they said I would have to re-install the very first operating system that came with my computer ( 5 years ago) and install each one until the 10.12.3. Its a real mess! I wish I didn't do the update!!!

Reply

Answer 13

CMDin

Level 1

9 points

Apr 7, 2017 3:57 AM in response to BCRO12

I think you do have to have a complete backup on your computer then reistall all of the old operating systems.

My problems with the updates are many, my computer is VERY slow. When I open apps like iTunes and garageband I get the pinwheel. I have to shut the computer down after force quitting everything and, sometimes, I have to manually shut the computer down because the programs won't close.

My biggest issue is that I cannot use my iPhone as the audio source for quick time. I have talked to Apple and they are supposedly working on it but they said there is nothing that can be done now. I am so annoyed with the new system. Anyone else having problems with quicktime??? Suggestions???

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Answer 14

Apr 7, 2017 5:40 AM in response to BCRO12

I am also experiencing my 2015 MacBook pro being really slow after updating from Sierra 10.12.3 to 10.12.4. The only thing I can see is something called WindowServer uses 81% of the cpu. Memory seems fine, 10 out of 16 GB being used.

As others have done I think I may try reverting to my last time machine save with 10.12.3.

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Answer 15

dtenterp

Level 1

4 points

Apr 7, 2017 2:46 PM in response to BCRO12

I updated my MacBook Pro Retina 13" from MacOS 10.12.3 to 10.12.4 Apr 7 and found my attached Dell monitor stopped working - just flashed a screen image every 15 seconds or so. I restored 10.12.3 from Time Machine and the Dell monitor started working again.

I will stop auto-updates to MacOS until I see if Apple identifies a problem with 10.2.4 and fixes it.

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