Mac hanging not responding: What to do and how to avoid future crashes

A hanging Mac can be extremely frustrating, especially if it occurs during a deadline or urgent matters. Even though these computers stand out for their stability and fluidity, the truth is that they are not perfect. If you have a frozen Mac, in this entry We explain what to do and how to avoid future blockages.

We will start by listing the main reasons why a Mac freezes while being used. Afterwards, we will see what What can you do to make your computer react? and regain functionality. And finally, we'll go over some tips that will help you avoid crashes in the future.

Mac hanging: Why is my Mac stuck in limbo?

If you have a Mac that is hanging, locked, or not responding to any commands, don't be too quick to think that the damage is irreparable. In reality, it is common for computers to get slow over time and even crash on certain occasions. Above all, the less recent equipment or with little memory and storage They tend to collapse and visit limbo from time to time.

Now, it is important to identify the reasons why a Mac computer goes through these existential crises. A common cause of blockages is simultaneous execution of various applications, accompanied by insufficient memory. The more apps running in the background, the greater the demand on memory, increasing the risk of your computer crashing.

Also, the hardware malfunctions and use of many peripherals can create conflicts in execution processes. Hence, it is advisable to disconnect memories and storage drives from USB ports before restarting a hung Mac.

A third reason underlies Corrupt applications or incompatible tools that generate errors in the operating system. This frequently occurs when running outdated versions of macOS or some installed software. Paradoxically, a Mac can also freeze while its operating system or any other driver is being updated.

What to do to unlock a hanging Mac?

Now that we know the reasons behind a hanging Mac, let's see what you can do to unlock it. We will start with the simplest option, which is force quit unresponsive apps. We will go through different increasingly complex alternatives until we reach the running a diagnostic test.

Of course, if your Apple computer does not react to the proposed solutions, it is best to take it to a Apple Store or any authorized store. In this way, a thorough diagnosis of the equipment can be carried out and damaged elements replaced. If there is no Apple store near where you live, you can ship your device via a courier company.

Force quit unresponsive apps

Let's start by attacking the most common cause of crashes on Mac computers: the simultaneous execution of several applications. What you have to do in these cases is Force quit apps to reduce demand on memory and other resources. If the mouse cursor is still responding, follow these steps:

1. Click on the apple icon in the top navigation bar
2. Select option Force exit
3. In the list of running applications, choose the one that is not responding and press the button Restart

In the event that the mouse cursor is also stuck, You can open the Force Quit window by pressing the Option + Command + Esc keys. This action is similar to the one performed in Windows to open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Del).

Manually turn the computer off and on

Turning your computer off and on can help you bring back a hung Mac. In most cases, this force restart restores normal system operation without significant data loss. You can run it by pressing the Command + Option + Control + Power buttons at the same time.

However, if the keyboard is also in a trance, it is best to Turn off the computer manually by pressing the power key. Hold it down for the next 5 to 10 seconds and release it when you hear a click. This sound indicates that the Mac will shut down; Wait for it to restart by itself or turn it on manually after a minute of rest.

Restart the hung Mac in Safe Mode

Like Windows computers, Macs also feature safe mode boot. This simplified reboot runs the system loading only essential processes and applications. With this you can confirm that the problem is in one of the recently installed applications or programs. Maybe you have tried to uninstall them from your computer in normal mode and have not been able to do so.

To activate Safe Mode on Mac, manually restart your computer and as soon as you hear the boot sound, Press the Shift key for a few seconds. Afterwards, you just have to log in with your account and uninstall the applications that make you suspicious. In safe mode you can eliminate all traces of corrupt applications or those that are causing conflicts in system processes.

Run a diagnostic test

When a hung Mac refuses to react, the problem may be due to equipment hardware failures. To identify this type of fault you can run an Apple diagnostic test. This process examines the equipment thoroughly and returns a detailed result of possible faults and solutions. For perform a diagnostic test, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect all unnecessary peripherals from the computer, except the mouse, keyboard, Ethernet connection, and power cable.
2. Restart your hanging Mac, and when it starts up again, press the D key and hold it until the screen asking you to select a language appears.
3. Choose the language and wait while the diagnostic test runs.

Tips to prevent your Mac from hanging

Finally, let's go over some tips to avoid the frustrating situation of having a Mac hanging. Surely, before reaching that extreme, The equipment presents symptoms of slowness and malfunction. All in all, there is a lot you can do to reduce the load on your computer and use its resources correctly.

• Close the applications that you are not using and uninstall those that are unnecessary.
• Check that your startup items are only those you really need and delete the ones that aren't important.
• Clear your cache regularly, empty your trash, and remove duplicate files.
• Check that you have enough hard drive space and free up space by using an external storage device.
• Use the native resources of Mac computers, such as Activity Monitor and Disk Utility, to perform periodic checks and prevent a hanging Mac.