How to resolve Finder 'Application Not Responding' and Force Quit apps on macOS

macOS KB-138

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to resolve Finder 'Application Not Responding' and Force Quit apps on macOS. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Quick Tip: Need immediate assistance? 💻 Open a Ticket

Common Causes

It can be frustrating when a macOS application freezes or the Finder becomes unresponsive, preventing you from accessing your files or managing your desktop. This guide provides the most effective methods to force an unresponsive program to close and restart the Finder to restore your system's stability.

Quick Fix Steps

If an application has stopped responding, try these three methods in order of severity:

The Standard Quit: Press Command + Q.
The Force Quit Menu: Press Option + Command + Esc.
The Apple Menu: Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner and select Force Quit....

Detailed Instructions

Using the Force Quit Applications Window

This is the most reliable way to close a frozen app without restarting your entire Mac.

Press Option + Command + Esc on your keyboard.
A window will appear listing all currently running applications.
Select the application that is listed as Not Responding.
Click the Force Quit button.
Click Force Quit again in the confirmation dialogue to confirm the action.

How to Relaunch the Finder

Unlike standard applications, the Finder cannot be "quit" because it manages your desktop and file system. Instead, it must be relaunched.

Press Option + Command + Esc.
Scroll to the bottom of the list and select Finder.
Click the Relaunch button.
Confirm by clicking Relaunch again. Your desktop icons will disappear momentarily and then reappear.

Using Activity Monitor for Persistent Issues

If an app refuses to close via the Force Quit menu, you can use the Activity Monitor to terminate the process manually.

Open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space.
Type Activity Monitor and press Enter.
Locate the unresponsive application in the list.
Click the X icon in the toolbar at the top of the window.
Select Force Quit from the pop-up menu.

Tip: If your entire screen is frozen and the keyboard shortcuts are not working, you may need to perform a hard restart by holding down the physical power button on your Mac until the device shuts off.

Troubleshooting

Preventing Future Freezes

Check for Updates: Ensure your macOS and applications are up to date via System Settings > General > Software Update.
Manage Memory: If you frequently encounter "Not Responding" messages, check Activity Monitor to see if a specific app is consuming an excessive amount of RAM.
Analyse Disk Health: Use the Disk Utility app to run "First Aid" on your startup disk to ensure there are no file system errors causing the Finder to hang.

Warning: Force quitting an application will result in the loss of any unsaved changes made within that program. Always attempt a standard quit first if possible.

If you continue to experience system instability or frequent application crashes, please Open a Ticket so our technicians can analyse your system logs.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

💻 Open a Ticket