A frozen Mac is a rare occurrence, but Macs (like all computers) run in cycles, and sometimes the software gets stuck in a loop. When this happens you may find an app like Word, or the whole of. Welcome to Amphetamine, the most awesome keep-awake app ever created for macOS. Amphetamine can keep your Mac, and optionally its display(s), awake through a super simple on/off switch, or automatically through easy-to-configure Triggers. Amphetamine is extremely powerful and includes advanced featu.
Ok, I get it. There is no equivalent to the PC’s Ctrl+Alt+Del shortcut on a Mac® to force quit an application. So how do I quit that annoying program that’s not responding?
Luckily, Apple® has you covered and gives you multiple options. The shortcut actually exists, and moreover, there are a few other extremely convenient ways to fight buggy apps. Today I’m going to list three easy ways to force-quit an application on a Mac, without harming the system.
Let’s dive in!
- Your device isn't recognized by your Mac. Your mouse, keyboard, or trackpad intermittently stops responding. Your mouse doesn't scroll up or down or side to side. Your mouse or trackpad doesn't track as expected. Your keyboard has one or more keys that don't respond.
- I wish i had evaluated this app a long, long time ago folks, this app represents everything that Mac development is all about: - great attention to detail - clean interface - powerful, yet easy to use - delightful working on my Mac has become even more enjoyable, something i though could not be possible i dont write eloquent reviews like this.
Is it Safe to Force Quit?
Forcing a frozen application to quit is the same as killing the symptoms when we get sick versus curing the virus. We need to see the bigger picture and understand what causes the problem and how to cure it while understanding how to avoid it from happening again.
The number one reason we have a problem with frozen applications in a Mac is insufficient RAM—or, in other words, a lack of computer memory to operate the system compared to the number of applications you usually open (including those numerous open tabs in a browser). So anytime your system utilizes all of its existing resourses to run the task, it becomes unresponsive. Think of RAM like a physical workbench. The more space (memory) you have to work, the more projects you can have out to work on. Less space? Less ability to work on multiple things at once.
Forcing Mac to quit the application does resolve the problem but may have downsides. When you close an application in the traditional manner, it will clean everything it runs in the background and alert you to save the work. When you force close on Mac, you may end up losing files and data, or mess things up on the drive. Although the effect will only be related to that one particular application that got stuck, sometimes it can hurt.
Application Not Responding Mac
Using a smart app like Parallels Toolbox can help you to free up unused memory on the fly and prevent the applications from getting frozen over and over again. The package includes over 30+ useful apps for everyday needs that any Mac user will benefit from, including downloading videos and music from sites like YouTube, taking screenshot or record videos, optimize your Mac performance, free up extra space and so much more.
You can download Toolbox and try it out for free here (no registration needed).
1. Force Quit Using the Apple Menu
The most conventional and effective way to close frozen programs is to go to the macOS® menu bar, located along the top of the screen in the Finder menu.
To force quit an application, simply do the following:
- Click on the black apple icon in the upper-left corner.
- From the drop-down menu, select “Force Quit…”. You will be directed to the new window named “Force Quit Application” where all the magic happens.
- Now all you have to do is select the application you want to close and choose “Force Quit.”
If you don’t know which application is stuck, pay attention to the ones that have the note “Not Responding.” This usually appears next to frozen applications.
2. Force Quit with Mac Shortcut
To do the same thing but faster, use Mac shortcut keys to close frozen applications.
- On your keyboard, press and hold Command + Option + Esc. It will immediately bring up a “Force Quit Application” window.
- Select the frozen application from the dialogue box and select “Force Quit.”
This could be your go-to method if the mouse or trackpad is lagging.
3. Close Application from Activity Monitor (Ctrl+Alt+Del Alternative)
Here’s the pinnacle of this article.
Very few Apple owners know that macOS provides an almost identical alternative to the traditional PC Control+Alt+Delete shortcut—and does it better. Yes, we all know that in Windows that keyboard shortcut is often used to open the Task Manager window. (To be honest, it’s needed too often, which is why we’re on a Mac.) From Task Manager, you can track applications, services, performance, and processes, and kill some of them when they’re unresponsive.
You can easily do all of that and more on the macOS native application called Activity Monitor.
To kill an application using Activity Monitor, do the following.
1. On your keyboard, press Command + Space, or click on Spotlight in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. In the “Spotlight Search” window, start typing “Activity Monitor.”
3. Once Activity Monitor is highlighted, hit Enter.
4. In the Activity Monitor processes list, select the application you want to quit and click “Force a process to quit” in the left corner.
What to Do If Force Quit Isn’t Working?
If all the applications stop responding and you can’t quit them using one of the methods described above, you can force your Mac to restart. To do so, press and hold the Control+Command+Power buttons.
Alternatively, you can force Mac to shut down by pressing and holding the power button, or use one of the many other shortcuts.
What’s the Solution?
Since your Mac doesn’t have enough space to run all those applications you need, the most obvious step would be to increase the RAM. If you own an iMac® or the older generation of MacBook Pro®, you can simply buy memory and upgrade your existing computer. With the new Mac generation, you don’t have that option anymore because the RAM is glued and soldered to the motherboard. You either buy a new computer or struggle.
Alternatively, you can clean your memory to free up space using Parallels® Toolbox. Parallels designed a tool set for macOS and PC users to efficiently manage their computer with just a few clicks—without any professional knowledge needed. Within the application (which is available to try for free), you can easily free up unused computer memory, clean your drive, and help your Mac run at max speed with a dozen other useful utilities.
Microsoft Apps Not Responding
If you’re interested in learning how easily one click can save precious disk space, check out how much space I took back with the Parallels Toolbox tool Clean Drive:
In one click (and about 10 seconds), I successfully removed 4 GB of clutter and reclaimed space on my hard drive.
So there you have it. Take care of your Mac with those quick tips, and remember to always save your work!
Update, July 3, 2019 (6:50 pm ET): Facebook hasn’t announced that today’s image problem is fixed, but it appears as though things are almost back to normal. You can likely expect to see some hiccups through the end of the day as the fix is rolled out more widely.
Facebook is one of those services that is hard to live without. You probably use the app to connect to friends, family, coworkers, and the occasional frenemy, so it’s hard to bounce back when you find Facebook not working correctly anymore. Fortunately, there are a few easy steps you can take to resolve and/or work around some of the more common Facebook issues you’re likely to encounter. We’ve also included a couple of bonus features at the end as well!
Is Facebook not working for you? If so, there’s an immediate workaround available — Facebook’s mobile site. This is a lightweight, mobile browser-optimized app that can give you almost everything the Facebook app can give you — including notifications. Indeed, some folks rely entirely on the Facebook mobile app, and have uninstalled the Facebook app altogether. This can help conserve battery life on your phone as well. In fact, we have a whole list of Facebook alternative apps.
Facebook not working? Make it work
But, let’s assume that you actually want the app to work as advertised. There are a few things you can do to get things back up and running in that event.
First, make sure the app is fully updated in the Google Play store. Facebook frequently pushes out updates to its app for security updates and bug fixes. As a result, older versions of the app can cease to function. First, open Android’s settings and check your available storage. If your device has less than 100 MB of storage available, you may need to clear some space to allow the app to update.
You can also cancel and restart the download of the update. If that doesn’t help, log out of the Facebook app and then try the download once more. If it’s not working, Google Play has a list of steps you can follow to troubleshoot the download of an app.
If that fails, you can try uninstalling the Facebook app, restarting your device, and reinstalling the app from the Play store. Alternatively, you can download the latest Facebook APK file from Facebook at the link.
Turn on automatic updates
To make sure you’re always using the latest version of the Facebook app, turn on automatic updates for the app. To do so, open the Google Play Store app and search for Facebook. Once you select it, tap the ellipsis in the upper right corner of the app page and place a check mark in the auto-update box.
Notifications aren’t working
Notifications are what let you know what’s happening on Facebook. When they stop working, it can be a headache. First, make sure you have notifications enabled on a system level. Those are found in your device’s settings. Typically you’ll go to Settings > Applications > Facebook > Notifications. Make sure Facebook is allowed to post notifications. If it is, check notification settings in the app to make sure they’re set properly. Tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines), select the “Settings and Privacy” option located under “Help and Support,” and then scroll down and tap the “Notification Settings.” From here, you can adjust what notifications you get and how you are notified.
Bonus #1 — Privacy
Not long ago, Facebook made headlines because of the permissions it was asking for. As a result, Facebook detailed exactly what permissions it was asking for and why.
The takeaway here is that, basically, app developers need to access many facets of a phone’s ecosystem in order to function normally. It is certainly wise to know why those permissions are being sought. But there are three things to keep in mind:
1. Just because an app needs to access your camera, does not mean that the company will be watching you taking a shower.
2. If a company is reputable, it’s probably Okay. Having said that…
3. It is your right and privilege to ask those privacy questions.
Bonus #2 — Beta Testing
Want to try the latest and greatest that Facebook has to offer? Facebook has a public beta system you can sign up for. It’s important to note that like any beta program, there may be issues with the app, and Facebook warns it’ll probably update the app several times per week. If all that sounds OK, you can go to this link and sign into the Google Play store (if necessary). Once there, tap “Become a Beta Tester.” Note, once you are signed into Google Play, clicking the “Become a Beta Tester” button actually puts you into the program — there’s no confirmation dialogue or anything.
If you want to leave the beta tester program, that link is here. It’s the same deal — clicking on the link removes you from the program. There’s no confirmation dialog.
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So is Facebook not working for you? Now you know how to resolve the most common Facebook issues and get your app back up and running. Think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments. We will be updating this article frequently, so if there’s anything else you’d like to see, let us know!