Frozen apps can be frustrating, whether you’re working on a project, streaming a video, or just trying to check your messages. Fortunately, fixing a frozen app is usually quick! In this guide, we’ll walk you through quick and easy steps to fix frozen applications on any device.
To tell if an app is frozen, check if it’s unresponsive to clicks or actions, and look for any “spinning beach ball” or loading icon. If only the app is frozen, other apps should still work normally, indicating it’s safe to force quit just that app. However, if nothing on the computer responds, the whole system might be frozen, requiring a device restart. Sometimes, waiting a minute helps if the app is processing something intensive.
How to Fix Frozen Apps: On Mac
When an app like Google Chrome freezes on your Mac, force quitting is often the fastest solution. Here’s how:
Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select “Force Quit” from the dropdown menu.
A list of open applications will appear. Look for Chrome—apps that aren’t responding will be labeled as such.
Remember: choosing “Force Quit” may cause you to lose any unsaved changes.
Select Chrome and click “Force Quit” to close it.
Reopen Chrome to continue where you left off.
This method can quickly resolve freezes without needing a full restart.
You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command + Option + Esc to bring up the Force Quit window directly for faster access.
If force quitting doesn’t work, you can use the Activity Monitor to close the app. To find it, press the Command key and the Spacebar (A keyboard shortcut) to open Spotlight Search and type “Activity Monitor.”
Once it opens, locate the frozen app in the list, and tap to select it. Then click the X button at the top of the window to force close the app. This method can help with apps that refuse to respond to the regular Force Quit option.
How to fix a frozen app: If all else fails
A restart might be necessary if the app is still unresponsive or affecting your system’s overall performance. Restarting your Mac can often resolve underlying issues with frozen apps. Click the Apple menu, choose Restart, and once your Mac reboots, try opening the app again to see if the issue has been resolved.
Occasionally the app will keep the Restart from running. In that case, holding down the power button for 20 – 30 seconds will shut down the computer. Wait a few minutes and then start up normally.
In some cases, apps may freeze due to bugs or compatibility issues. To avoid this, it’s important to ensure both the MacOS and your apps are up to date. Open the App Store, click on Updates in the sidebar, and install any available updates for the problematic app. Keeping apps updated ensures they are compatible with your operating system and often fixes bugs that may cause them to freeze.
How to Fix Frozen Applications on Windows (PC)
If an application freezes on your Windows PC, the first thing you should do is open the Task Manager. This tool allows you to see and manage running apps and processes. To access Task Manager, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard and select Task Manager from the options. Once it opens, you’ll see a list of all active applications. Find the frozen app, click to select it, and click End Task in the bottom-right corner. This will force the app to close and free up system resources.
If an application freezes on your Windows PC, the first thing you should do is open the Task Manager. This tool allows you to see and manage running apps and processes. To access Task Manager, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard and select Task Manager from the options. Once it opens, you’ll see a list of all active applications. Find the frozen app, select it, and click End Task in the bottom-right corner. This will force the app to close and free up system resources.
In cases where Task Manager doesn’t resolve the problem, restarting your computer is a good next step. A simple reboot can clear up temporary glitches that cause apps to freeze. To restart your PC, click the Start menu, select the Power icon, and choose Restart from the dropdown menu. After your computer restarts, reopen the app to see if it functions normally.
Occasionally the app will keep the Restart from running. In that case, holding down the power button for 20 – 30 seconds will shut down the computer. Wait a few minutes and then start up normally.
Finally, if the problem persists, it’s a good idea to scan your computer for malware or viruses. Malicious software can interfere with your system’s processes, causing apps to freeze or crash. Use your antivirus software to run a full system scan and remove any threats affecting your PC’s performance.
Another common cause of frozen applications is outdated software. Ensure that both your operating system and the apps are up to date. To update Windows, go to Settings by clicking the Start menu, then select Update & Security, and click Check for updates. For apps, check the Microsoft Store or the app’s official website to see if a new version is available. Installing the latest updates can fix bugs and improve app performance, reducing the chances of freezing.
How to Fix Frozen Applications on iOS
When an app freezes on your iPhone or iPad, the first step is to force close the app. On newer models without a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to open the app switcher. On devices with a Home button, double-click the Home button to access the app switcher. Find the frozen app by swiping left or right, then swipe up on the app’s preview to force it to close. This simple step often resolves temporary freezing issues.
Same motion as a knight in chess!
When Force Closing Does not Fix a Frozen iOS App
If force closing the app doesn’t work, restarting your iPhone is the next option. To restart an iPhone with Face ID, press and hold the side button along with either volume button until the power slider appears. For older models with a Home button, press and hold the side (or top) button until the slider appears. Slide to power off, wait a few moments, and then turn your device back on. After the restart, try reopening the app to check if the issue is resolved.
Sometimes, apps freeze due to outdated software or compatibility issues with the iOS version. To ensure your app runs smoothly, check if any updates are available. Open the App Store, tap on your profile icon in the upper-right corner, and scroll down to see pending updates. If the app in question has an update, tap Update to install the latest version. Keeping your apps up to date helps prevent freezing by fixing bugs and improving performance.
After clicking General, you’ll see the Software Update screen. If an update is available, it will appear here. Since our device is up-to-date, our screen displays iOS 18.0.1 – iOS is up to date, highlighted in red.”
Lastly, if one app continues to freeze, consider deleting and reinstalling it. Press and hold the app icon on your Home screen until a menu appears, then tap Remove App followed by Delete App. Go back to the App Store to reinstall it. Reinstalling clears any corrupted data that may be causing the freeze.
Fixing Frozen Applications on Android
When an app freezes on your Android device, the first thing to try is force-stopping the app. To do this, open the Settings app, scroll down to Apps & Notifications (or simply Apps depending on your device), and find the frozen app in the list.
In our instance, we will use Telegram as our example.
After selecting Apps, and choosing “Telegram” from the list, we then tap “Force Stop” to immediately close the app and stop any background processes that may be causing it to freeze.
Another solution is to clear the app’s “storage and cache “ which can resolve issues caused by corrupted temporary files.
Click the “Trash Can” icon to clear the app’s storage.
Clear Cache. This will delete temporary files without affecting your data. If clearing the cache doesn’t work, you can also tap Clear Data, but keep in mind that this will reset the app to its default state, so you may lose some app settings, logins or other data.
If the application keeps freezing, it could be because it’s not up to date. Access the Google Play Store, tap on your profile picture in the upper-right corner, and select Manage apps & device.
Check for any updates listed under Updates Available and install them. Updating apps frequently brings bug fixes and enhancements that may help fix freezing problems.
In cases where these steps don’t work, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the app. Long-press the app icon on your home screen or app drawer, select Uninstall, and then reinstall it from the Google Play Store. This can help remove any corrupted files that may have been causing the app to freeze.
In cases where these steps don’t work, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the app. Long-press the app icon on your home screen or app drawer, select Uninstall, and then reinstall it from the Google Play Store(Pictured at the right) This can help remove any corrupted files that may have been causing the app to freeze.
Conclusion
Frozen apps are a common but manageable issue on any device, whether you’re using a Mac, PC, iOS, or Android. In most cases, simply force quitting the app or restarting your device can resolve the problem. Keeping your apps and operating systems up to date is crucial for preventing these issues in the future, as updates often address bugs that can cause apps to freeze. If problems persist, clearing cache or data and reinstalling the app can offer a more thorough fix.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to troubleshoot and resolve frozen apps quickly, getting back to what you were doing without unnecessary frustration. Remember, regularly maintaining your devices by keeping them updated and clearing out unnecessary files can help keep them running smoothly and minimize app crashes.
Caveat: Some images have been generated or edited with the use of DALL-E
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