It is a struggle when you’re working on your Mac, and out of nowhere, it just stops. Maybe it starts processing something, or the worst case is if it gets frozen. If you have ever experienced the same, you know how frustrating it can be.
Here are the ways to troubleshoot and fix a frozen Mac to prevent your important work from an interruption. So, let us get started!
Methods to follow when the Mac Freeze
Follow the instructions mentioned below to fix your frozen Mac.
Wait for a Few Minutes
Hold on, and do not panic! Whenever your Mac suddenly freezes, wait for a minute or two before switching it off to reboot. Many times, your Mac can freeze due to applications not working properly. Lend your system some time to look after the same before taking any action.
If your Mac gets back to work, save all the files and restart your system. In case the system takes a lot of time, move to other methods.
Force-Quit Unnecessary Applications
Sometimes, your Mac goes to freeze mode, while the mouse-pointer continues to move. If this is the case, you can force-shut any applications you think might be causing issues. Not just an app, but it could also be a browser with a lot of tabs, software, etc.
To instantly force-quit the apps, press ‘Command + Option + Esc’ keys on your keyboard. A ‘Force Quit Applications’ dialog box will appear. All the running apps will appear in the window. All you need to do is highlight the program you want to close and then click on the ‘Force Quit’ button.
Force Shut-Down Your Mac
If the force-quit applications method doesn’t work, it’s time to shut down your system forcibly. Press and hold the power button of your Mac, and the system will shut down after a few seconds.
In case your MacBook holds a Touch ID, press and hold the Touch ID button on your keyboard.
It is important to note that if your force shut-down your Mac, all the unsaved data will be lost.
Update Your Mac
It is essential to make sure that your Mac is running on the latest version of macOS. It is important to keep all the apps updated to avoid any hardware issues. You may check for the same in the ‘Software Updates’ section under ‘System Preferences.’
Detach Unnecessary Devices
If there are any peripheral devices attached to your Mac, it is advised to unplug the same. Devices like printers, USB devices, etc, need to be detached immediately. In case the issues resolve after disconnecting the peripheral devices, it is essential to check the software updates related to these devices.
Resolve Hardware Issues
If you suspect any hardware-related issues on your Mac, you may use ‘Apple Diagnostics’ to resolve the same. the steps to do the same are:
- Turn off or on your Mac.
- Press and hold the ‘D’ key on your keyboard while the system reboots.
- A grey window will appear, indicating that your system is checking for issues.
- In case the Diagnostics don’t work, restart your Mac while holding the ‘Option + D’ key.
How to Prevent Freezes in the Future?
Mac freezes are generally an indication of a temporary issue occurring with your system. If you don’t want your Mac to freeze anytime soon, there are a few instructions you can follow.
As mentioned above, make sure and check for updates now and then to avoid any hardware-related issues. If you cannot check it every often, set your Mac to update automatically.
Performance issues also occur due to space issues. It is advised to keep up to 10 percent of total space free of anything.
This is it! Frozen Mac issues can happen to anyone. Therefore, it’s best to stay patient and try fixing the problem instead of immediate panic.
Source:- https://office2.uk.com/how-to-troubleshoot-and-fix-a-frozen-mac-system/
