Troubleshooting unresponsive apps on macOS

Force quit the unresponsive app using the Apple menu or Command Option Esc; 2. Check Activity Monitor for high CPU, memory, or disk usage and force quit if needed; 3. Restart your Mac to resolve temporary system glitches; 4. Update macOS and the app via System Settings and the App Store to fix compatibility issues; 5. Clear app caches and preferences by deleting cache folders and moving .plist files from ~/Library/Caches and ~/Library/Preferences; 6. Run First Aid in Disk Utility to repair disk errors affecting app performance; 7. Test the app in a new user account to determine if the issue is user-specific; 8. Reinstall the app by removing it from Applications and reinstalling from the App Store or official website; 9. Check for conflicting software by disabling security tools, screen recorders, or login items; 10. Boot into Safe Mode by holding Shift during startup to isolate third-party extensions or cache problems—most unresponsive app issues can be resolved through these steps, starting with simple fixes and progressing to deeper troubleshooting, and the problem is typically resolved by updating software, clearing caches, or reinstalling the app.

When apps on macOS become unresponsive—freezing, not responding to clicks, or failing to launch—it can disrupt your workflow. While macOS is generally stable, software glitches, resource limitations, or system conflicts can cause apps to hang. Here’s how to diagnose and fix unresponsive apps effectively.

1. Force Quit the App (Quick Fix)

If an app is frozen and not responding to input, the first step is to force quit it.

• Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner and select Force Quit…
• Select the unresponsive app from the list and click Force Quit.
• Alternatively, press Command (⌘) Option Esc to open the Force Quit window directly.

Note: You’ll lose any unsaved work in the app, so use this only when necessary.

2. Check Activity Monitor for Resource Issues

An app may hang due to high CPU, memory, or disk usage.

• Open Activity Monitor (found in Applications > Utilities).
• Look for the app in the process list and check its CPU, Memory, and Energy Impact.
• If it’s using excessive resources or shows “Not Responding,” select it and click the X button to force quit.

Also check if other processes are consuming too many system resources—this can indirectly cause apps to freeze.

3. Restart Your Mac

A simple restart often resolves temporary system glitches.

• Choose Apple menu > Restart.
• After rebooting, reopen the app to see if the issue persists.

Restarting clears memory, resets system processes, and can resolve conflicts that cause apps to hang.

4. Update macOS and the App

Outdated software can lead to compatibility issues or bugs.

• Go to System Settings > General > Software Update to check for macOS updates.
• Open the App Store, go to the Updates tab, and ensure all apps are up to date.

Developers often release patches that fix crashes and performance issues.

5. Clear App Caches and Preferences (Advanced)

Corrupted preference files or bloated caches can cause apps to misbehave.

To remove app-specific caches:

• Quit the app.
• Open Finder, press Command Shift G, and type:

  ~/Library/Caches/

• Look for a folder named after the app (e.g., com.apple.Safari) and delete it.

To reset preferences (use with caution):

• Navigate to:

  ~/Library/Preferences/

• Find the .plist file related to the app (e.g., com.adobe.Photoshop.plist) and move it to the desktop (don’t delete immediately—backup first).
• Relaunch the app; it will create a fresh preference file.

Warning: This resets the app’s settings to default.

6. Run First Aid with Disk Utility

File system errors or disk permission issues can affect app performance.

• Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities).
• Select your startup disk (usually "Macintosh HD").
• Click First Aid and follow the prompts to repair disk errors.

This ensures your system files are intact and accessible.

7. Test in a New User Account

To determine if the issue is user-specific (e.g., corrupted user settings):

• Go to System Settings > Users & Groups.
• Create a new admin user account.
• Log in to the new account and test the app.

If the app works fine there, the problem lies in your original user profile—likely in preferences, caches, or login items.

8. Reinstall the App

If the app continues to fail:

• Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash.
• Reinstall it from the App Store or the developer’s official website.

This replaces any corrupted or missing application files.

9. Check for Conflicting Software

Third-party tools (especially security software, screen recorders, or input managers) can interfere with app performance.

• Temporarily disable or uninstall recently added software.
• Check if the app runs normally afterward.

Also, disable login items:

• Go to System Settings > General > Login Items.
• Turn off non-essential startup apps and test again.

10. Boot in Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads a minimal set of drivers and clears system caches.

• Shut down your Mac.
• Turn it on and immediately hold Shift until the login screen appears.
• Log in and try opening the app.

If it works in Safe Mode, the issue may be caused by a third-party extension or cache corruption. Restart normally afterward.

Unresponsive apps are usually fixable without major troubleshooting. Start simple—force quit, restart, update—then move to deeper fixes like cache clearing or reinstallation. Most issues stem from temporary glitches or outdated software, so keeping your system and apps current goes a long way.

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