Apple make incredibly honest electronics , and it ’s not unheard of for some of thebest Macbooksto persist in running without issues several year after it was purchase . That ’s not always the case , however , and even the good gadgets will finally run into issues . For Apple , that comes in the figure of a frozen Mac result in a spinning wheel . It ’s a frustrative issue , and one that ’ll put all your computing tasks on hold .

as luck would have it , there are a variety of manner to fix the issue . Most of these techniques body of work acrossmacOS , including Macbook and desktop Mac , so there ’s a good prospect one of them will work for your specific issue .

From force quitting unresponsive apps and resetting the System Management Controller to resetting PRAM / NVRAM and booting up safe mode , here ’s a facial expression at how to stop Mac from freeze .

1. Force quit unresponsive apps

The first affair to try if your Mac is frozen — i.e. unresponsive — is go over if an app is the culprit for locking up your Mac . If an app has frozen and quitting it wo n’t work , Ctrl+clickits icon in the Dock , then hover the Spanish pointer over theQuitbutton . HoldOption(labeled as Alt on some Mac keyboards ) untilQuitbecomesForce Quit ; click this .

Alternatively , try press theOpt+Cmd+EscMac keyboard shortcutto open up the Force Quit window . Select the app you want to close , then clickForce Quit(orRelaunchif Finder has frozen ) , then clickForce Quiton the confirmation dialogue box .

If your Mac is alone locked up and the above steps wo n’t work , pressCtrl+Opt+Cmdand the power button at the same time ; this will bring up your Mac .

2. Reset the System Management Controller

The System Management Controller ( SMC ) takes attention of all sorts of thing behind the scene in your Mac , from battery management to keyboard backlighting . If your Mac is frozen , it could be that the SMC needs to be reset .

What you do depend on whether your Mac has a T2 Security Chip . If you ’re using anew Macbookthat does n’t ( have in mind you do n’t have at least a 2016 or newerMacBook Pro ) , shut it down , then pressShift+Ctrl+Optand the king button at the same time . Hold all these key for 10 minute , then let go . Now press the business leader clit to switch on your Mac . If you ’re using a Mac background without a T2 check ( such as an iMac ) , switch it off , unplug the magnate cord and hold off 15 seconds , plug it back in , then turn on your Mac .

If your Mac has a T2 chip , the mental process is different . For both MacBooks and desktop Macs , work off the gadget , then press and hold the power push 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 barrage , you ’ll need to follow the stepson Apple ’s website .

3. Reset PRAM/NVRAM

Your Mac ’s PRAM and NVRAM are lowly sections of memory that hive away certain scope that want to be accessed quickly by the figurer . If your Mac is quick-frozen , it could be that there ’s an error with either the PRAM or NVRAM .

reset them could help oneself , and the process is the same for both . First , close down your Mac , then turn it on and immediately pressOpt+Cmd+P+R. Hold these keys for 20 seconds ; your Mac may resume during this time , but keep holding them for the 20 - sec continuance .

If your Mac normally toy a startup sound when you turn it on , you could release the Key when this bring . If your Mac has a T2 Security Chip , you could unfreeze them once the Apple logo has appeared and disappeared a 2d time .

Note that if you have a firmware password set , you ’ll need to turn it off before you could readjust the PRAM and NVRAM . Apple hasinstructionson how to turn off the firmware password .

4. Boot up in safe mode

Loading your Mac in safe mode could fix problems consort with freezes or may help you discover what ’s get the upshot in the first shoes . Safe mode swear the wholeness of your startup disk and disenable sure apps and processes from prevail .

To begin in safe mode , shut down your Mac , then twist it back on and directly press and hold the Shift paint . relinquish the Shift key when you see the login windowpane . If you ’ve encrypted your inauguration disk with FileVault , you may have to sign in doubly — once to unlock the startup disk and the second time to lumber in to Finder .

Now tryrebooting your Macusing the normal startup procedure . If you ’re able to habituate your Mac without it freezing , then safe mode may have ready the consequence . If the freeze endure when you use your Mac outside of dependable way , you may have an issue with login item ( apps that load when you first lumber in ) , Wi - Fi networking , or an outside machine , as all these are handicapped or limited by dependable mode .

Apple ’s support pagehas more information on safe mode , which may help .

5. Run the Apple Diagnostic Test (or Apple Hardware Test on older Macs)

If your Mac is frozen and you call back it could be because of a ironware result , execute the Apple Diagnostic Test . First , disconnect any external devices except the keyboard , mouse , display , Ethernet connection ( if you ’re using one ) , and the power cord . verify your Mac is on a unanimous , flat surface and is well - give vent , then exclude it down .

Turn your Mac back on , then at once press and carry the D winder . Keep holding it until a screenland appear asking you to select your spoken communication . Choose your language , then wait while the symptomatic trial is melt down . This should only take a duo of minutes .

If the test finds any issues , it ’ll heel them along with possible root . It also gives you citation codes for any detected problems , plus ways to contact Apple so it can fix the problem .

If your Mac was released before June 2013 , you should use theApple Hardware Testinstead .

6. If all else fails: Take your Mac to an Apple Store

If your Mac continues to freeze up and you ’ve tried every trick in the book , you might want to get the professional involved . Put just , qualified technician have the breeding required to in good order diagnose and deal Mac ailments that you might not have experience with .

Why did my Mac completely freeze?

There are a few likely culprits for your Mac whole freezing , namely an issue with the software program you have open , problematic hardware , or a lack of random memory or storage infinite .

Check out ourguide to vernacular Macbook problem , and how to fix them , if you ’re still shy what ’s at the root of your figurer ’s issue .