It can be quite frustrating when your MacBook Pro which typically runs fast suddenly starts to freeze while you browse the web. Whether you’re playing a game, running an app, or Googling trivia facts, you should never settle for freezing issues on a MacBook Pro. So, how do you fix MacBook Pro freezing issues?
You can fix MacBook Pro freezing issues if you close background apps, force quit unresponsive apps, and reset the NVRAM and PRAM. If you’ve been running your MacBook Pro all day and freezing issues suddenly occur, you can simply restart your computer to fix the problem. Otherwise, you should scan for malware and run a diagnostics test if the freezing issues continue.
Freezing issues can also occur if your MacBook Pro is behind on the latest macOS software update. Follow along as we explore how to diagnose and fix MacBook Pro freezing issues.
Why Is My MacBook Pro Freezing?
Freezing issues on your MacBook Pro could be due to everything from processor errors to a lack of storage space.
This can also happen due to specific apps that are either outdated or new and were released with glitches. Freezing issues are also common when you play a video game that your MacBook Pro cannot handle.
How to Unfreeze a MacBook Pro
Restart It
The quickest way to fix MacBook Pro freezing issues is to restart your computer. Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen and select “Restart”. You can also restart your MacBook Pro if you press the power button to turn it off and turn it back on after a moment or two.
Force Quit Apps
If you experience MacBook Pro freezing issues because of unresponsive apps, you can “force quit” them to fix the problem. Press the Command, Option, and Escape keys simultaneously. A list of the running apps will appear.
Click on the problematic app or apps and select “Force Quit”. After a moment, you shouldn’t experience freezing issues if that is the cause of the problem.
Reset the System Management Controller
The System Management Controller on your MacBook Pro is responsible for many important features. This includes the battery, sensors, fan, and ambient light sensing. When the SMC is overloaded, it can cause freezing issues and slow down your MacBook Pro’s performance.
Turn off your MacBook Pro then press the Shift, Option, and Control keys for 7 seconds. Let go of the keys and press the power button. This should reset your SMC.
Close Background Apps
Do you experience freezing issues on your MacBook Pro when you run many apps in the background? If so, that’s because it takes up a lot of processing power to run multiple apps at once. Close any unnecessary background apps or browser tabs to avoid freezing issues.
Scan For Viruses
Freezing issues are often due to processing errors, but they can also occur if your MacBook Pro has viruses. It’s easier to protect a MacBook Pro from malware than many other laptops, but they aren’t invulnerable. The best anti-malware software to scan your MacBook Pro includes Avast, Norton, Intego, and Malwarebytes.
Reset the NVRAM and PRAM
Reset the NVRAM and PRAM on your MacBook Pro if you experience display and freezing issues. To do this, you must press the Command, Option, P, and R keys for a few seconds. After a moment, you will hear the classic MacBook startup sound. This indicates that your NVRAM and PRAM have been reset.
Clear Space on Your MacBook Pro
Your MacBook Pro will encounter freezing issues if there isn’t enough storage space. Ideally, you should leave 15% of your MacBook’s storage space free. This will let your apps run smoothly and leave you enough space for new macOS software updates as well as app updates. Delete apps you no longer use and clear browser data to help free up some space.
Run a Diagnostics Test
It can be hard to diagnose why you experience freezing issues on a MacBook Pro until you run a diagnostics test. The results of the diagnostics test will tell you what is causing your MacBook Pro to freeze. First, you must turn off your MacBook Pro.
Wait a moment, press the power button, and hit the “D” key. A menu will pop up on the screen with instructions about how to proceed with the diagnostics test. Use this information to remove problematic apps and corrupt data.
Update Your MacBook Pro
Apple typically notifies you when a new update is available, but they are easy to miss when you are multitasking. If you miss the prompt, you can manually install a software update from the settings menu on your MacBook Pro. Click the Apple logo on the menu bar and select “System Settings”.
Click “General” and “Software Update”. From there, you can install the latest update and this should fix bugs like browser crashes and freezing issues.
Visit the Apple Store
If you simply cannot fix your MacBook Pro’s freezing issues, you must visit the Apple Store. You may not have an Apple Store near your home, but you can send your MacBook Pro to them via the mail within 30 days of a service request. They can likely diagnose the problem and repair your computer unless there is a major, unfixable hardware problem.
So, How Do You Fix MacBook Pro Freezing Issues?
You can fix freezing issues on a MacBook Pro if you force quit apps that slow down the processing speed. Close as many background apps and browser tabs as possible or restart your MacBook Pro if the issues continue. Clear enough space so that the storage space is 15% open to increase your MacBook’s speed and eliminate freezing issues.
David Miller is a seasoned tech aficionado with a profound expertise in NGINX and Ubuntu. With a career spanning over a decade, David has honed his skills in optimizing web servers and enhancing server performance to perfection. His deep-rooted passion for open-source technologies has led him to become a go-to resource in the field. Whether it’s crafting intricate NGINX configurations or troubleshooting complex Ubuntu server issues, David’s problem-solving prowess shines through.