How to Check the Event Log on PC or Mac

Using Windows Event Viewer

Open the Windows search bar. If you see the search bar next to the Windows Start menu, skip to the next step. Otherwise, press ⊞ Win+S to open it now.

Type administrative into the search bar. A list of matching results will appear.

Click Administrative Tools. This opens an Explorer window that contains several administrative options.

Double-click Event Viewer. It’s in the main panel. This opens the Event Viewer, where you can view different types of event logs.

Click the > next to “Windows Logs.” It’s in the left column. A list of logs that pertain to Windows will appear.

Click a log to view its contents. The log will appear in the main panel.

Using Mac Console

Open the Applications folder on your Mac. To do this, click the Go menu and select Applications.

Double-click the Utilities folder.

Double-click Console. This opens the Console app, which is where you can view system diagnostic logs for all sorts of events.

Click All Messages. It’s near the top-left corner of the window, right above the left column. This displays all of the messages recorded by each process.

Click Errors and Faults. It’s next to the “All Messages” button. This refines the log results so it only displays errors.

Click a report under the “Reports” header. This opens reports of system or user/application events in the right panel.