If an app on your Mac is unresponsive, it usually shows the spinning pinwheel, which is more popularly known as the spinning beach ball. Below, you will find several methods for forcing quit on an unresponsive Mac application and continuing to work without interruption. Learning how to do it can help one avoid losing data, particularly when they fail to close an app the regular way, and also lead to a faster Mac. You will read further to find out how to easily resolve issues of Mac-frozen apps.
Why Do Apps Freeze on a Mac?
Probably one of the most uncomfortable situations faced by Mac users is when an application is unresponsive or has simply locked up. The spinning pinwheel, most of the time, indicates that your Mac is overwhelmed in managing resources or that the app is frozen as a result of a software conflict. Knowing why applications cause problems is a way to make the correct diagnosis. It is either RAM is low, the CPU is busy, or an installed app is not compatible with macOS; in general, a frozen app is often a sign that something is not well.
How to Force Quit an App Using the Apple Menu
Press the Apple menu button at the top left corner of your desktop.
- Click Force Quit from the dropdown.
- Now, in the Force Quit dialog, you need to select the application that has been problematic and then click Force Quit.
This method is very effective if your app is stuck and the mac os is fully operational.
Force Quit Through the Dock: A Simple Method
The Dock is the second method that allows a user to quickly force an app to close if it has crashed. To force quit an app via the Dock:
- Select the context menu of the app by right-clicking (or Control-clicking the app icon on the dock).
- Press the Alt key and choose the Force Quit option that will appear on the screen.
This is a nice manner in which you are able to shut down an application without moving to menus or shortcuts.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut to Force Quit
One of the shortcuts to access force quit is one of the quickest ways for an application to close. You may use the hot keys Command + Option + Esc to start the force quit dialog where you may select the non-responding application and force terminate it. Using it to thaw frozen applications is convenient while having access to icon shortcuts without using the trackpad or mouse.
How to Use Activity Monitor to Force Quit Apps
You can use the activity monitor to force quit applications that consume many of your system resources or are completely unresponsive for more detailed control over your system. Here’s how:
That is why, in the Applications > Utilities folder, launch Open Activity Monitor.
Locate the app that uses most of the CPU or RAM. Then, you have to click on it and use the X button to close it.
Activity Monitor goes beyond enabling you to force quit; it offers system monitoring as well.
Force Quitting via Terminal: Command-Line Approach
If you prefer the command line or need more control, Terminal offers a way to force quit apps on your Mac:
- Click the Applications icon on the screen and choose Utilities > Open Terminal.
In this context, one needs to type ps -ax | grep “app’s name” in order to arrive at the app’s PID. - When you have the PID, enter kill -9 [PID] to terminate the app with the Operating System.
It is especially helpful if an app’s window is totally frozen, or you have a MacBook that has become unresponsive.
Can’t Quit the App? Steps to Take When Force Quit Doesn’t Work
Unfortunately, force quitting is not always effective, and an application freezes. In such cases:
- Do not hesitate to reset your Mac with the help of the power button.
If that does not work, you can restart into Safe mode and try to quit the app again. - Some applications fail to close as expected due to system conflict and this is solved by rebooting the Mac computer. Mineral Spirits vs. Odorless Mineral Spirits: Choosing the Right
How to Restart Your Mac When All Else Fails
If force quitting does not solve the problem, then only a restart of the device may be useful. Here’s how to restart your Mac:
Press the power button for about 10 seconds in order to turn off the screen.
Just stay for a while and turn off the Mac using the power button; turn it on again by pressing the same button.
Preventing App Freezes: Keep Your Mac Running Smoothly
To avoid frequent app freezes, make sure to:
- Delete all unnecessary files and install the latest version of macOS.
- If you find that your apps are regularly draining your battery because they’re constantly running in the background, this is especially helpful.
- Look for updates to the apple store for the particular applications that often freezes, apple usually releases updates that contain fix for performance issues.
When to Reinstall an App: Is It Time?
In the case where a specific application is a source of difficulties, its reinstallation may become an obvious solution. Occasionally the application files become problematic and uninstalling and reinstalling could solve recurring problems. Jhonkensy Noel: A Rising Star in the Cleveland Guardians’ Minor League System
Summary of Key Points:
- Force quit the programs on your computer using the Apple menu, and it’s quite simple to do.
- For immediate results, try to force quiet through the Dock area.
To access Force Quit immediately, keyboard Command + Option + Esc can be used. - For even more granular control over the system and force quitting of the applications go back to the Access Activity Monitor.
- Terminal of apps can use force quits if the regular techniques are unable to work.
- Your last resort in case of any problems should be to restart your Mac. When you learn the techniques above, you are able to solve frozen apps on your Mac so the freezing apps won’t disrupt your workflow. That’s how to force quit on mac
FAQ
1. What does “force quit” mean on a Mac?
Ending an application when it is stuck or unresponsive is the act of forcefully terminating it. It terminates it immediately, regardless of whether the app has written its data or not.
2. How do I force quit an app on a Mac using the keyboard shortcut?
Then, by using shortcuts you can right, you can close an application with the use of shortcut keys by pressing command, option, and ‘esc’ to end the force quit. From there, it will click on the unresponsive app and then click on force quit.
3. Can I force quit apps from the Dock?
Yes, right-click on the Dock app you want to quit, and then, pressing the option key on your keyboard simultaneously with the force quit option appears, click it.
4. What should I do if force quit doesn’t work?
If force quitting doesn’t solve the problem, the person should try using an activity monitor and terminal to force quit the app. If this won’t do the trick, you can power off your Mac using the power button and then turn the machine back on.
