Why Your Mac Runs Slowly or Restarts After Updates from Jamf, macOS, or Microsoft Office

This article explains why a Bowdoin-managed Mac may feel slow, hot, or unresponsive when it receives a backlog of updates from Jamf Pro, macOS, or Microsoft Office, especially after sitting powered off for a long time. It also explains how to tell the difference between a Mac that is working through updates and one that is actually frozen.

Tap or click a section below to jump directly to it:

What Happens After an Extended Shutdown Letting Updates Finish Safely Signs Updates Are Working vs. a Frozen Mac Reducing Delays Next Time

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Issues

• Why is my Mac so slow after I turned it on for the first time in weeks?
• Why does my computer keep installing updates on its own?
• My Mac shows a spinning wheel or a gray screen after I log in. What is happening?
• Why is Microsoft Word or Excel asking to update as soon as I open it?
• How long does it take for Jamf to finish updating my Mac?
• Is it normal for the fan to run loudly or the Mac to feel hot after sitting unused?
• Why did my Mac restart by itself after I hadn't used it in a while?
• How do I know if my Mac is still working on updates or if it is actually frozen?
• As a student, what should I do if my Mac is stuck updating right before class?
• Do I need to keep my Mac plugged in while it finishes installing updates?

Environment

This article applies to anyone using a Bowdoin-issued Mac that is enrolled in Jamf Pro, Bowdoin's device management system. It covers macOS Sequoia (15.x), macOS Tahoe (26.x), or newer.

• Applies to: students, faculty, and staff using a Bowdoin-issued MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook Neo, iMac, or Mac Mini
• Covers: behavior caused by Jamf Pro policy check-ins, macOS system updates, and Microsoft Office application updates
• Not covered: Windows 11 devices managed through Intune Company Portal, or personal Macs not enrolled in Jamf Pro (best-effort support only)

What Happens After an Extended Shutdown

Bowdoin-issued Macs check in with Jamf Pro on a regular schedule to receive security patches, configuration changes, and required software updates. When a Mac has been powered off or asleep for more than a few weeks, it has missed many of these scheduled check-ins. As soon as the Mac connects to power and the internet again, it may try to catch up on all of that work at once.

• Jamf Pro may push several pending policies, security updates, or app installations in a short window of time.
• macOS itself may begin downloading and installing a backlog of system updates, which can require one or more restarts.
• Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, or Outlook may prompt to update immediately after being opened, since they have not been able to check for updates in some time.

Running several of these processes at the same time is the most common reason a Mac feels unusually slow, warm, or noisy right after being turned on following a long period of inactivity.

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Letting Updates Finish Safely

1. Connect the Mac to its power adapter. Installing updates uses more battery power than normal, and a low battery can interrupt the process.
2. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network, ideally the Bowdoin campus network or a reliable home network. Update downloads can be large, especially after missing several update cycles.
3. Leave the Mac powered on, awake, and undisturbed for at least 30 to 60 minutes. Avoid closing the lid on a laptop, since this puts the Mac to sleep and can pause update installation.
4. If the screen shows a progress bar, spinning wheel, or an Apple logo with a status bar underneath it, allow the Mac to continue without pressing any keys or holding down the power button.
5. If the Mac restarts on its own during this process, this is normal for both macOS updates and Jamf-managed configuration changes. Let the restart complete without interrupting it.

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Signs Updates Are Working vs. a Frozen Mac

It can be hard to tell the difference between a Mac that is quietly working through a backlog of updates and one that has actually frozen. The following signs usually indicate the Mac is still working normally:

• The fan is running, or the Mac feels warm to the touch, which indicates the processor is actively working.
• A progress bar, spinning wheel, or percentage indicator is visible and slowly moving.
• The screen changes state occasionally, such as briefly going dark and then returning, or showing a login screen after a restart.

If the Mac shows a completely blank or frozen screen with no fan noise or warmth for more than 15 to 20 minutes, and pressing keys or moving the trackpad produces no response, it may genuinely be stuck rather than working through updates.

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Reducing Delays the Next Time You Turn On Your Mac

• Turn on your Mac and connect it to Wi-Fi at least once every one to two weeks, even if you do not plan to use it, so that Jamf Pro, macOS, and Microsoft Office can check for and install smaller updates incrementally.
• Leave the Mac powered on and connected to power overnight occasionally, since many update installations are scheduled to run during idle time.
• Avoid shutting down the Mac completely for long stretches, such as during breaks between semesters. Instead, consider putting it to sleep with power connected and Wi-Fi available when possible.

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Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

• Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
• Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
• In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
• Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

• Update macOS on your Mac
• Microsoft Office support and update information