Computer Basics · Windows & the Desktop · Lesson 4 of 5

When an App Freezes

Calm, simple steps for an app that stops answering, on Windows and Mac.

When an App Stops Answering

Sometimes an app stops reacting. You click and nothing happens. The pointer may turn into a spinning circle.

Windows may then add (Not Responding) to the app's title bar. It means the app is stuck or very busy. It does not mean the computer is broken.

First, wait. The app may just be working hard, like opening a big file. Give it a minute or two. Many apps wake up on their own. Clicking over and over usually doesn't help.

If you click the X on a frozen app, Windows may give you two choices:

• Wait for the program to respond gives it more time.
• Close the program shuts it down now.

If the X does nothing, use Task Manager. Task Manager is a Windows tool that lists every app that is running.

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc together.
2. If you see only a short list, click More details.
3. Click the frozen app in the list.
4. Click End task.

Closing a frozen app is safe for the computer. But work you didn't save in that app may be lost. That's why waiting comes first.

On the practice computer, Photo Editor is frozen. Click its X and read the two choices. Then open Task Manager and end the task.

Force Quit and a Fresh Start

On a Mac, a frozen app may show a spinning circle of rainbow colors. To close it:

1. Press Option+Command+Esc together.
2. A small Force Quit window opens with a list of apps.
3. Click the frozen app, then click Force Quit.

You can also find Force Quit in the Apple menu, the Apple logo at the top left. Like End task, it may lose work you didn't save.

Sometimes the whole computer needs a fresh start. To restart means the computer turns off and back on by itself. This clears out many small problems. Try it when:

• the same app keeps freezing,
• everything is slow, not just one app,
• Task Manager or Force Quit won't open.

On Windows, click Start, then the Power button, then Restart. On a Mac, open the Apple menu and choose Restart.

If the whole screen is stuck and nothing works, hold the power button for about 10 seconds. That forces the computer off. Use it only as a last step, because unsaved work is lost.

The best protection is simple. Save your work often, and a freeze becomes a small bother.