macOS · Troubleshooting
Close a frozen or unresponsive app
Use the Force Quit Applications window to immediately close an app that has stopped responding, without needing to restart the entire Mac.
How to open Force Quit Unresponsive Apps
- Press Option-Command-Escape, or choose Force Quit from the Apple menu
- Select the unresponsive app from the list
- Click Force Quit and confirm
- Relaunch the app once it has closed
What you should know
- Opened via Option-Command-Escape or the Apple menu
- Lists all currently open apps, flagging unresponsive ones
- Force quitting discards unsaved changes in that app
- Distinct from Activity Monitor, which shows deeper process details
Why it matters
Force Quit is the fastest way to recover from a single frozen app without disrupting everything else running on the Mac, avoiding an unnecessary full restart. It's one of the most commonly used troubleshooting actions because app freezes are a routine, if occasional, part of everyday computer use. Knowing the keyboard shortcut and understanding that unsaved work will be lost helps users respond quickly and confidently when an app stops responding.
Best practices
- Wait a few seconds to confirm an app is truly unresponsive before force quitting
- Save work frequently in apps prone to occasional freezes
- Use Activity Monitor for a more detailed look if force quitting doesn't resolve the issue
- Relaunch the app after force quitting to confirm normal operation resumes
Common problems and fixes
- Force Quit window won't open
- Try the Apple menu → Force Quit as an alternative to the keyboard shortcut.
- An app immediately freezes again after relaunching
- Check for pending updates to the app, or investigate further using Activity Monitor and Console.
- Unsaved work was lost after force quitting
- Check the app for an auto-recovery or auto-save feature next time it opens.
Tips and tricks
- Learn the Option-Command-Escape shortcut for instant access during a freeze
- Right-click a frozen app's Dock icon while holding Option for a quick Force Quit option
Frequently asked questions
Does force quitting an app close background processes it started?
Usually yes, though some helper processes may need to be separately quit via Activity Monitor.
Is force quitting the same as force restarting the Mac?
No, force quitting closes a single app, while force restarting reboots the entire Mac.
Can I force quit Finder?
Yes, Finder can be force quit and will automatically relaunch itself.
Related settings
- Activity MonitorActivity Monitor is macOS's built-in tool for seeing exactly what's using your Mac's CPU, memory, energy, disk, and network resources in real time, broken down by individual app and process. It's the first place to look when the Mac feels slow, hot, or the fan is running loudly.
- Console: View System LogsUse the Console app to view real-time and historical system logs, crash reports, and diagnostic messages generated by macOS and installed apps.
More Troubleshooting guides for macOS
- Erase & Reset MacErase All Content and Settings lets you wipe your Mac back to factory defaults — useful for major troubleshooting, or before selling, trading in, or giving away your device.
- macOS RecoverymacOS Recovery is a built-in set of utilities for reinstalling macOS, restoring from a Time Machine backup, repairing a damaged disk, and resetting a forgotten password — all accessible without needing a working copy of macOS already running.
- Safe ModeSafe Mode starts your Mac with only essential system software and drivers loaded, skipping login items, most fonts, and system caches. It's a diagnostic first step used to determine whether a startup problem is caused by third-party software or a deeper system issue.
- Analytics & ImprovementsAnalytics & Improvements controls whether your Mac automatically sends crash reports and usage analytics to Apple, and optionally to third-party app developers, to help them find and fix bugs. It's separate from location services and general privacy settings, focused specifically on diagnostic and usage data.
- Disk Utility First AidRun Disk Utility's First Aid tool to check a disk or volume for directory and file system errors and attempt automatic repair.
- Apple DiagnosticsUse Apple Diagnostics, launched at startup, to test your Mac's hardware components including memory, logic board, and battery for underlying issues.