Finder is frozen or not responding on Mac
Finder has gotten stuck or is running low on memory. Force quit Finder to close it, and it will automatically restart. This works for most people instantly.
Finder is the main file browser for your Mac. When it freezes, it is usually because it is trying to access too many files or a file is corrupted. We'll force quit Finder and let it restart fresh, which solves the problem in most cases.
Risk: Medium
⏱ 5–10 minutes
Beginner
⚡ Before you start
- ✓Have any important files saved before restarting Finder
- ✓You can use other apps while Finder is frozen
Fix-IT-Bot will walk you through each step, just tap, no typing needed.
Skip, I just want a technicianCommon mistakes to avoid
- Not knowing how to force quit Finder and thinking the Mac is broken
- Repeatedly trying to click a frozen Finder window instead of force quitting it
Signs you need professional help
- If Finder continues to freeze or crash after force quitting and restarting, there be a corrupted file or failing drive. Give us a call and we'll investigate which folder is causing the problem.
Book a technician
We can fix most issues remotely in 15 minutes. Book your weekend slot and we handle the rest.
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