MacOS is Unresponsive: How to Fix a Frozen Screen

Mac computers are generally reliable, but even the best systems freeze up sometimes. When your screen freezes, it can interfere with your work processes or entertainment, driving you toward frustration and frantic Google searches for answers. 

Luckily, if you are asking yourself, “Why is my Mac frozen, and why can’t I click anything?” or need guidance on how to fix a frozen computer, this article has you covered.

With expert insights from our My Computer Works team, we’ll explore the usual causes of a frozen Mac screen, give you the best steps to resolve the issue, and share tips to prevent future occurrences so you never have to worry about it again.

Why Does Your Mac Freeze?

Knowing what causes an unresponsive Mac screen can help you fix the issue quickly and perhaps avoid it in the future. The following are some common culprits when your MacBook is frozen: 

• Resource-Intensive Applications: If you use resource-intensive applications, such as video editing apps or graphics design programs, these can overload your Mac’s system resources and cause the screen to freeze. 
• Insufficient RAM: The system may hang or freeze when your Mac’s memory is full.
• Software Conflicts: Outdated software or incompatible applications can conflict with your operating system and cause it to crash or freeze. 
• Lack of Disk Space: A full startup disk will prevent your Mac from functioning properly and can cause frozen screens.
• Background Processes: Processes running in the background, even unseen, can eat up resources and make your MacBook non-responsive.

Quick Fixes for a Frozen Mac

Here is what you should do instantly to take back control when your MacBook is unresponsive:

• Force Quit Computer Unresponsive Apps: With the Mac keyboard shortcuts, you can force quit an application if the computer is frozen while they are open. Press Command + Option + Escape to get the device to pop up the “Force Quit Applications” window. Select the problematic app and select “Force Quit.”
• Force shut down an unresponsive MacBook: If your whole laptop is frozen, you may want to restart it. Don’t know how to force shut down an unresponsive MacBook? Start by Pressing down and holding the power button until your Mac turns off. Wait a few seconds before then pressing the power button again. Otherwise, do a forced restart by pressing Control + Command + Power. 
• External Device Disconnection: Shut down your laptop and disconnect all external devices, including your USB drives, monitors, and hard drives. Oftentimes, these devices may cause compatibility issues and freeze your computer.

Using Activity Monitor to Diagnose Issues

Activity Monitor is a utility application pre-installed on your computer. It helps identify the resource-intensive applications or processes that cause your MacBook to freeze. Press Command + Space to open “Spotlight Search,” type in “Activity Monitor,” and press Enter. 

Sort the opened processes by CPU or memory usage to find those that consume high percentages. If you find an application or problematic process, select it, and then click the “X” at the top-left to force quit. You will also want to check the “Disk” tab for how full your startup disk is; if it is almost full, you may want to clear space to improve performance.

Preventing Future MacBook Freezes

Below are a few pointers on how to prevent your MacOS from becoming unresponsive in the future. You will find these tips simple and helpful: 

• Use Resources Wisely: Avoid unnecessarily running heavy applications simultaneously. Close these applications if you aren’t using them.
• Upgrade RAM: If you frequently use resource-intensive programs, upgrading your Mac’s RAM can improve performance.
• Update Software Regularly: Keep your macOS and apps up-to-date for improved compatibility and security.
• Free Up Disk Space: Complete periodic cleaning using utility software like Storage Management to delete unnecessary files and optimize storage.
• Check for Malware: Run a good antivirus program to scan the system for malware that could be impacting performance.
• Disable Startup Items: To disable Startup Items, Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items and disable the applications that are not needed upon startup.

What to Do if Freezing Persists

If the freezing issue persists after trying the steps mentioned above, some advanced solutions you can try include:

• Run Disk Utility: Open the Disk Utility application and run “First Aid” to check and repair your disk.
• PRAM/NVRAM Reset: Shut down your Mac. Then, press and hold the Option+Command+P+R keys at startup until you hear the startup sound a second time.
• Reinstall macOS: This involves backing up your data with the “Time Machine” feature or an external drive. Reinstalling macOS may help resolve persistent software issues that cause frozen screens.

The Wrap-Up On Fixing a Frozen Screen on a MacOS

A frozen MacBook doesn’t have to interfere with your productivity or entertainment if you know the necessary steps to fix it. Following our above steps on how to force quit and restart a Mac and general advice on how to fix a frozen computer, you should be able to troubleshoot your frozen screen and move forward.

If the issue persists, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. At My Computer Works, we specialize in resolving all computer issues, including unresponsive Macs. Our team of experts is just a call away to help you and is ready to assist you with tailored solutions for your technological screen freezing problem.