Slow internet on MacBook Air M1 2020 M1 with insufficient storage

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Level 1

12 points

Slow internet on MacBook Air M1 2020 M1 with insufficient storage

So I have a school MacBook Air (2020 M1), and about a week ago, this started happening. Literally nothing internet related loads. I restart my computer multiple times and quit chrome to no avail. So I went desperate mode and asked ChatGPT. It told me to go into terminal. (Blocked) so I used the terminal in recovery utilities. It’s very locked down, but I got a command through and it said there is not enough storage. So i cleared my download folder and put in the command again. I think it worked, but now tabs load, but take like 5 mins to load. Mac seems to think everything ram related is ok, but in activity monitor I see 1.7g cache and 6 gigs of 8 used. HELP???

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Internet not working?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Jul 5, 2025 10:35 AM

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Answer 1

brbo

Level 8

38,107 points

Jul 5, 2025 08:34 PM in response to Dman9124

Re: Internet not working? .... Literally nothing internet related loads. : ... there is not enough storage ...

It is a wise move to back-up the data you have on the Mac.

Then you can make more space available in which the Mac can operate smoothly.

(BTW: I'm not familiar with school computers, so may not know how much space you are allocated, etc.)

Apple Support's article: Free up storage space on Mac - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"Find out how much storage space is available

"In macOS Ventura 13 or later, choose Apple menu  > System Settings,

click General in the sidebar, then click Storage on the right. "

The Storage window shows how much storage space is used by various categories of files, such as Applications, Photos, Mail, Messages, and more. "

(A Mac generally needs about 50 Gb free space for smooth operation, and to do everything you ask it to do.)

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Re: " ... i cleared my download folder ... "

Anything you delete may remain in the trash / bin where it still counts as storage. Make sure there's nothing in the trash you want to keep, and empty the trash / bin to free up the storage space.

If you don't see the changed storage amount:

You may need to restart the Mac: (Apple menu > Restart).

Then wait for the log-in screen, and log back in. (Restarting will also clear out temporary files, re-establish connections, may update any recent setting changes etc., and more. )

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Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

201,431 points

Jul 5, 2025 08:45 PM in response to Dman9124

"Slow internet on MacBook Air M1 2020 M1 with insufficient storage: So I have a school MacBook Air (2020 M1), and about a week ago, this started happening.[...]"

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Troubleshooting School-Owned Devices:

Is this officially YOUR computer? Or is this the school's? When it comes to a school-owned device, take this up with the Web Master, as they are the one who manages the school's network and other devices.. To find out who this is, look in the college catalogue, or contact the Registrar.

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