Having your Apple Mac constantly freezing can be a frustrating experience. In this article, we will explore 12 easy methods to unfreeze and prevent macOS from hanging.
Force Quit Apps to Unfreeze
If your Apple Mac keeps freezing, one of the easiest ways to unfreeze it is by force quitting apps. When an app becomes unresponsive, it can cause your Mac to freeze. Here’s how you can force quit apps to solve this issue:
1. Press the Command + Option + Esc keys simultaneously to open the “Force Quit Applications” window.
2. Select the unresponsive app from the list.
3. Click on the “Force Quit” button to close the app.
By force quitting the unresponsive app, you can free up system resources and prevent further freezing issues. Remember to save your work before force quitting an app, as any unsaved changes may be lost.
If force quitting apps doesn’t resolve the freezing problem, you may need to further troubleshoot your Mac using other methods mentioned in this article.
Reboot or Power Down Your Mac
If your Apple Mac keeps freezing, you may need to reboot or power down your device to resolve the issue. Follow these easy steps to unfreeze and stop macOS from hanging:
1. Restart your Mac by clicking on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting “Restart.”
2. If your Mac is completely unresponsive, press and hold the power button until it shuts down. Then, press the power button again to turn it back on.
3. To perform a forced restart, press and hold the Control + Command + Power buttons simultaneously until your Mac restarts.
4. If the freezing persists, try booting your Mac in Safe Mode. To do this, restart your Mac and hold the Shift key until the Apple logo appears. Release the Shift key once the login window appears.
5. Check for any malware or viruses on your Mac using antivirus software like Trend Micro or other trusted programs.
6. If you suspect any issues with your computer hardware, run the Disk Utility application to check for and repair any disk errors.
7. Remove any unnecessary icons or files from your desktop, as having too many can slow down your Mac’s performance.
8. Make sure your Mac’s software is up to date by visiting the App Store and clicking on the “Updates” tab.
9. If you’re experiencing freezing while using specific applications, try reinstalling those applications or checking for updates.
10. Consider resetting your Mac’s NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) or PRAM (parameter random-access memory) to clear any potential issues. To do this, restart your Mac and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys until you hear the startup sound again.
11. Check your Wi-Fi connection and password settings, as a weak or unstable connection can cause freezing issues.
12. If all else fails, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further troubleshooting and assistance.
Check Disk and System Health
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Restart your Mac |
| 2 | Clean up disk space by removing unnecessary files |
| 3 | Update macOS to the latest version |
| 4 | Check for software updates |
| 5 | Scan for malware and remove any threats |
| 6 | Repair disk permissions |
| 7 | Reset NVRAM/PRAM |
| 8 | Reset SMC |
| 9 | Check for hardware issues and perform necessary repairs |
| 10 | Disable unnecessary startup items |
| 11 | Use Activity Monitor to identify resource-hungry applications |
| 12 | Reinstall macOS |
Reset NVRAM/PRAM and SMC
| Reset | Description |
|---|---|
| NVRAM/PRAM Reset | 1. Shut down your Mac. 2. Press the power button and immediately hold down the Option, Command, P, and R keys simultaneously. 3. Keep holding the keys until you hear the startup sound for the second time. 4. Release the keys and let your Mac boot normally. |
| SMC Reset | 1. Shut down your Mac. 2. Disconnect the power cord. 3. Wait for 15 seconds. 4. Reconnect the power cord. 5. Wait for 5 seconds and turn on your Mac. |
By following these steps, you can easily reset NVRAM/PRAM and SMC on your Apple Mac, which often helps resolve freezing and hanging issues.
Remove Malware and Problem Apps
1. Run a reliable antivirus software to scan your Mac for any malware or viruses. Make sure to choose a reputable antivirus software like Trend Micro.
2. Use the Disk Utility tool to check for any errors on your Mac’s hard drive. Open Finder, go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility. Select your Mac’s hard drive and click on “First Aid” to repair any issues.
3. Remove any unnecessary or problematic apps from your Mac. Open Finder, go to Applications, and drag any unwanted apps to the Trash. Remember to empty the Trash to completely remove them.
4. Restart your Mac in Safe Mode to identify if any third-party apps are causing the freezing issue. Restart your Mac and hold the Shift key until the Apple logo appears. If the problem doesn’t occur in Safe Mode, it’s likely caused by a third-party app.
5. Update your macOS to the latest version. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update. Install any available updates.
6. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac. Shut down your Mac, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release it and turn on your Mac.
7. Check for any available firmware updates for your Mac. Go to the Apple menu > About This Mac > Software Update. Install any firmware updates if available.
8. Clear your Mac’s cache files. Open Finder, go to Go > Go to Folder, enter “~/Library/Caches”, and delete the contents of the Caches folder.
9. Reset the NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) on your Mac. Shut down your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys until you hear the startup sound for the second time.
10. Disable any unnecessary startup items. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items. Remove any apps that you don’t need to launch at startup.
11. Check your Wi-Fi connection. Unstable or weak Wi-Fi signals can cause your Mac to freeze. Make sure you have a strong and stable connection.
12. If none of the above steps resolve the freezing issue, consider contacting Apple support or visiting an online community for further assistance.
Seek Professional Help if Issues Persist
If you’ve tried all the easy fixes and your Apple Mac is still freezing, it may be time to seek professional help. Consult a certified Apple technician or visit an authorized service center to diagnose and resolve the issue. They have the expertise and tools to identify underlying problems that may be causing your Mac to freeze. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance if the issue persists, as it could be a sign of a more serious hardware or software issue.
Professional help is especially recommended if you’ve already tried the 12 easy ways to unfreeze and stop macOS hanging mentioned earlier in this article. While those solutions can often fix common freezing issues, persistent problems may require deeper troubleshooting and repairs that only a professional can provide.
Remember, seeking professional help doesn’t mean you’ve failed or that your Mac is beyond repair. It simply means you’re taking the necessary steps to ensure your device is functioning optimally. With the help of a professional, you can get to the root of the problem and find a solution that will keep your Apple Mac running smoothly.
So, if you’re still experiencing freezing issues despite your best efforts, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Reach out to an authorized Apple service center or certified technician to get your Mac back on track.
F.A.Qs
Why is my Macbook slow and freezing?
Your Macbook may be slow and freezing due to reasons such as an outdated operating system, a full hard disk, running too many background programs and apps, or having a malware infection.
Why my Mac is frozen and I can’t click anything?
Your Mac may be frozen and unresponsive because of various reasons, such as insufficient memory or disk space. To resolve this issue, you can force restart your Mac by holding down the power button until the screen turns off. Once it powers back on, consider freeing up space on your hard drive by uninstalling unnecessary applications and deleting files.
How do I get my Mac to stop freezing?
To get your Mac to stop freezing, you can try force quitting unresponsive apps by pressing Command-Esc-Option simultaneously. Another option is to reset the System Management Controller by turning off the device, then holding the power button for 10 seconds, releasing it, and pressing it again to turn on the Mac.
How do I unfreeze my Apple computer screen?
To unfreeze your Apple computer screen, press Command- Esc-Option on your keyboard simultaneously and then release them. The Force Quit menu should appear. Choose the frozen application from the list and click Force Quit.
