Even though Apple makes the most dependable computers in the market, people who use a Mac can experience system failure from time to time. There are many reasons for this to happen for instance; it can happen due to hardware problems, corrupt files, software bugs etc.
When your computer freezes, your device starts to heat, the screen gets black, and the mouse becomes unresponsive. This becomes even more frustrating when you can’t even shut it down.
So if you are facing a similar situation and want to learn various methods to shut down or restart your Mac, then you came to the right place. Here are 5 ways to restart or force shut down any frozen Mac.
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5 Ways to Restart or Force Shut Down any Frozen Mac
If your Mac is frozen or unresponsive, forcing a shut down or restart is one of the most efficient ways to fix this problem. You need to follow the below mentioned steps regardless of which chipset your device has or which Mac line or macOS you’re running on (iMac, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air).
Use a Shortcut Key
Restarting or shutting down your Mac with the help of a shortcut key is quite simple. You just need a keyboard to use this method. There are two keyboard shortcuts; the first method tries to close all the applications safely before shutting down, while the second one will force your PC to shut down immediately. Here is the first shortcut key:
Method 1: It is very easy to use this method. Press ‘Control + Command + Option + Power.’ Just make sure that you don’t press the power button for longer than a second.
Method 2: This keyboard shortcut will force your device to shut down without closing the running applications first. You just have to press ‘Power + Command + Control.’ Although, this time you need to hold the power button for a longer time so that your Mac properly shuts down.
Press and Hold the Power Key
One of the most straightforward and efficient ways to shut down your Mac is using the power button. You just have to press and hold the power key as long as the device shuts down and the screen goes black. The touch ID sensor or power button is located at the top-right corner of the keyboard. If the display is already black, hold the power key until you can see the Apple logo.
However, if you are an iMac user, you will not find the power key at the same place as a Macbook. It is located behind the iMac’s screen at the bottom-left corner. Then just follow the same procedure mentioned above to force a shut down.
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Force-Quit the Applications Causing Trouble
If you still have the cursor or the mouse in control after your Mac freezes, just try to force-quit the applications that are causing the problem and then shut it down for a couple of minutes. Your Mac may slow down because of a graphic heavy game, there may be hundreds of tabs opened in a web browser, a high quality video editor, or a large word document.
The best way to force-quit an app is by pressing ‘Command + Esc + Option’ simultaneously. Then “Force Quit Application” will pop-up on your screen and you will be able to see all the applications that are opened. Just select the apps you want to quit and click on the ‘Force Quit’ option. Now, shut your computer down by pressing the Power Button for a couple of minutes.
One of any 5 ways to restart or force shut down any frozen Mac will definitely work. So, if one method does not work for you, try the other one.
Empty the Battery or Shut the Power Supply
If none of the above mentioned methods works, then your last hope is to shut the power supply to your Mac and empty the battery. If you use an old model with a removable battery, just take out the battery for a few seconds, then put it back and turn on your device. However, unplugging the adapter and shutting the power supply is enough if you have a desktop Mac.
Once you fully drain your Mac’s battery, wait for 5 to 10 minutes before charging it and turning it back on. You have to keep in mind that you may end up losing your data by using this method. Only use this if any other method does not work.
Troubleshooting Freeze Issues
If your desktop or Mac freezes again after shutting and turning back on, then restart it and press the ‘Shift’ key as soon as it starts to turn on. This will put your Mac in Safe Mode, so you can start identifying and repairing the issues.
Most of the apps on your device will not work as long as the Safe Mode is on. After you identify the application that is causing the trouble, uninstalling it is the best option to prevent it from happening again. Follow these steps to uninstall the app:
- Tap on the ‘Go’ menu and then go to the ‘Applications’ option that appears on the pop-up menu).
- Identify the program or the app that is causing the freeze.
- Click on the app and drag it into the ‘Trash’.
Now, restart your Mac to exit the Safe Mode.
Wrapping up
Learning how to force shut down or restart a frozen Mac is very useful due to many reasons. Always remember to save your data first before a shutdown or forced restart. You can end up in deep trouble if your important data is damaged. You can also unplug external storage devices, like external USB drives or hard drives, to prevent the data. Try alternative troubleshooting procedures, like repairing your disk or force quitting the app causing the problem.
We hope that the above mentioned 5 ways to restart or force shut down any frozen Mac have helped you to unfreeze your device.
Also read: Learn How to Make Mac Dark Mode: A Complete Guide
