Macs are becoming increasingly popular, and one of the reasons users prefer them over PCs is that they rarely have technical problems. However, it’s not unheard of for a Mac screen to freeze or become unresponsive. If you’re experiencing this issue, don’t fret!
This post will help you fix a faulty Mac in no time using short and simple troubleshooting instructions. Keep reading for some expert Mac repair advice!
What Causes a Mac Screen to Freeze?
There are several reasons that a Mac may become unresponsive or freeze. Yet, usually, this happens when your Mac’s processor is working too hard because you are running too many apps or browser tabs. If that’s not the case, the issue may be due to:
- Not having enough free space on your hard drive
- Failing to update your macOS
- Malware
- Hardware problems
No matter the reason, we’ll help you fix the issue by working through the following steps!
Force Quit Frozen Apps
If you suspect a specific app is causing your Mac to freeze, try to determine which one is the culprit. Contrary to common belief, apps that are working in the background can be at fault, making it tricky to know which app you need to force quit.
Here’s how to force quit an app:
- Press Command + Option + Esc
- When the Force Quit menu appears, pick the app you want to close
- Click the Force Quit button
If the issue occurs often, your best bet is to keep an eye on which apps you are using when it happens. Then, you can better pinpoint which app is making your Mac unresponsive.
Change Your Startup Settings
If you’re simply running too many apps at once, you can quit all of them. It’s also a good idea to reduce the number of apps that launch when you start your Mac. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to the Apple menu
- Click System Preferences
- Press Users and Groups
- Click Login Items to see all the startup programs
- Select the app you want to remove
- Click the minus button to get rid of it
After following these instructions, your Mac will have less work to do upon startup, preventing it from freezing.
Uninstall Unresponsive Apps
If a specific app continues to be unresponsive, force quit isn’t going to solve your issues. It’s best to uninstall the app altogether and try reinstalling it. This will likely fix any bugs that are causing the program to crash or freeze your Mac.
Clear Space on Your Disk
Having a full disk can also cause your Mac to be slower than usual and freeze up. If you’re not sure whether your disk is near full capacity, here’s what to do:
- Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner
- Choose About this Mac
- Select Storage
Here you’ll see how you’re using the storage space on your Mac and how much you have free. It’s best to periodically remove any programs or files you aren’t using, but if you still need more space, it’s time to use iCloud to store files that take up precious space on your Mac. Doing so will give you more space on your disk, and your Mac will run a lot faster.
Tidy up Your Desktop
Every item on your desktop is also an image, and every time you start your Mac these have to load. Your crowded desktop can lead to issues, such as unresponsiveness or slowness. Thus, it’s best to keep your files in folders or delete them once you’re finished with them.
We recommend spending a few minutes at the end of the week to do some digital housecleaning.
Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
On Intel Macs, the SMC is responsible for power management, fan control, and other tasks. If you’re having issues with your Mac freezing and have already tried the troubleshooting suggestions we’ve mentioned, resetting the SMC might work.
- Start by shutting down your Mac and disconnecting everything except the power cable
- Press and hold the power button + Control + Shift + Option for roughly 10 seconds
- Now turn on your Mac
Keep in mind that if you have an M1 Mac, you can’t reset the system management controller.
Reset Non-Volatile RAM (NVRAM )
Another thing you may wish to do if you have an Intel Mac is reset the NVRAM. The following steps can help:
- Restart your Mac
- Press and hold Command + Option + R + P
- Wait 20 seconds until you hear the startup ding or the Apple logo appears
For M1 Mac users, the system will reset the NVRAM automatically if it sees the need, so there’s no reason to worry about this step.
Scan for Viruses
If you can’t pinpoint any other causes for your unresponsive Mac, malware is likely slowing it down. To find out whether or not this is the case, you’ll have to run a virus scan.
We recommend taking your Mac to a certified repair technician if you’re not sure how to scan for viruses on your own. The repair shop will not only scan for any viruses or malware but they can also other issues that are making your Mac screen unresponsive.
Get Help with Your Mac Repair
Sometimes, Mac repair requires the help of experts! So if after working through these troubleshooting steps you still notice your Mac is slow, freezing, or unresponsive, we recommend taking your Mac to a certified repair technician in your area. Having a faster Mac will be way worth the minimal repair cost!
If you live in Virginia, don’t hesitate to contact us at Fruit Fixed. We can repair your mac in less than four hours, and you don’t even need an appointment!
