Spinning wheel? How to Stop Your Mac from Freezing
Apple makes incredibly reliable electronic devices, and it’s not uncommon for a Macbook to continue working smoothly for years after purchase. However, this is not always the case and even the best gadgets will eventually run into problems. For Apple, this comes in the form of a frozen Mac, resulting in a spinning wheel. It’s […]
Apple makes incredibly reliable electronic devices, and it’s not uncommon for a Macbook to continue working smoothly for years after purchase. However, this is not always the case and even the best gadgets will eventually run into problems. For Apple, this comes in the form of a frozen Mac, resulting in a spinning wheel. It’s a frustrating problem that will put all your computing tasks on hold.
Fortunately, there are several ways to resolve the problem. Most of these techniques work across the entire Mac family, including Macbooks and desktop Macs, so there’s a good chance that one of them will work for your specific problem.
From force-closing unresponsive apps to resetting the System Management Controller to resetting PRAM/NVRAM to booting into Safe Mode, here’s how to prevent Mac from freezing.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
1. Force close unresponsive apps
The first thing to try if your Mac is frozen, i.e. unresponsive, is to check if an application is causing your Mac to freeze. If an app is frozen and you quit it, it won’t work, Ctrl+click its icon in the Dock, then hover over the To leave button. Socket Option (labeled Alt on some Mac keyboards) until To leave becomes Force quit; click on it.
You can also try pressing Opt+Cmd+Esc to open the Force Quit window. Select the application you want to close, then click Force quit (Or RELAUNCH if the Finder is frozen), click Force quit in the confirmation dialog box.
If your Mac is completely locked and the steps above don’t work, tap Ctrl+Opt+Cmd and the power button at the same time; This will restart your Mac.
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2. Reset the System Management Controller
The System Management Controller (SMC) takes care of all sorts of things behind the scenes on your Mac, from battery management to keyboard backlighting. If your Mac is frozen, the SMC may need to be reset.
What you do depends on whether or not your Mac has a T2 security chip. If you’re using a MacBook that doesn’t (that is, you don’t have at least a 2016 MacBook Pro or newer), turn it off, then press Shift+Ctrl+Opt and the power button at the same time. Hold all these keys for 10 seconds and then release. Now press the power button to turn on your Mac. If you’re using a Mac desktop without a T2 chip (like an iMac), turn it off, unplug the power cord and wait 15 seconds, plug it back in, then turn on your Mac.
If your Mac has a T2 chip, the process is different. For MacBooks and desktop Macs, turn off the device, then press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. Let go and wait a few seconds, then press it again to turn on the Mac.
If you’re using an older MacBook with a removable battery, you’ll need to follow the steps on Apple’s website.
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3. Reset PRAM/NVRAM
Your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM are small sections of memory that store certain settings that the computer needs to access quickly. If your Mac is frozen, there may be an error with the PRAM or NVRAM.
Resetting them might help, and the process is the same for both. First, turn off your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press Opt+Cmd+P+R. Hold these keys for 20 seconds; your Mac may restart during this time, but continue to hold them for 20 seconds.
If your Mac normally makes a startup sound when you turn it on, you can release the keys when it plays. If your Mac has a T2 security chip, you can release it after the Apple logo appears and disappears a second time.
Note that if you have set a firmware password, you will need to disable it before you can reset the PRAM and NVRAM. Apple offers instructions on how to disable the firmware password on its website.
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4. Boot into Safe Mode
Loading your Mac into Safe Mode can resolve issues associated with freezing or help you identify what’s causing the problem in the first place. Safe mode checks the integrity of your startup disk and disables certain applications and processes from running.
To boot into Safe Mode, turn off your Mac, then turn it back on and immediately hold down the Shift key. Release the Shift key when you see the login window. If you encrypted your startup disk with FileVault, you may need to log in twice: once to unlock the startup disk and the second time to connect to Finder.
Now try restarting your Mac using the normal startup procedure. If you can use your Mac without freezing it, Safe Mode may have fixed the problem. If the crash persists when you use your Mac outside of Safe Mode, you might have a problem with Sign In Items (apps that load when you first sign in), the Wi-Fi network, or an external device, because all these items are disabled or limited. in safe mode.
Apple’s support page has more information on Safe Mode, which may be helpful.
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5. Run the Apple Diagnostic Test (or Apple Hardware Test on older Macs)
If your Mac is frozen and you think it might be due to a hardware problem, run the Apple diagnostic test. First, disconnect all external devices except the keyboard, mouse, display, Ethernet connection (if using one), and power cord. Make sure your Mac is on a solid, flat surface and is well ventilated, then turn it off.
Turn your Mac back on, then immediately press and hold the D key. Continue holding it until a screen appears asking you to select your language. Choose your language, then wait for the diagnostic test to run. This should only take a few minutes.
If the test finds any problems, it lists them and potential solutions. It also gives you reference codes for any issues it finds, as well as ways to contact Apple so they can resolve the issue.
If your Mac was released before June 2013, you should use the Apple Hardware Test instead.
Apple
6. If all else fails: Take your Mac to an Apple Store
If your Mac keeps freezing and you’ve tried every trick in the book, you may need to call in the professionals. Simply put, qualified technicians have the training required to properly diagnose and treat Mac conditions that you may not have experience with.
Go to locate.apple.com and follow the on-screen instructions to find the nearest Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
If you’d rather not go directly to Apple, find a third-party repair shop with experience repairing Macs. But make sure the store is an Apple Authorized Service Provider, which means Apple manufacturers endorse both the authenticity of replacement parts and the expertise of their technicians.
Why is my Mac completely frozen?
There are a few likely causes for your Mac to completely freeze, including a problem with the software you have open, problematic hardware, or a lack of RAM or storage space. Check out our guide to common Macbook problems and how to fix them, if you’re still not sure what’s causing your computer’s problems.
Our article on the best keyboard shortcuts for Mac has even more Mac tips.
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