Force Quit isn't closing a frozen app on your Mac
When Force Quit doesn't work, the app is deeply frozen. Use Activity Monitor to force close it instead. Activity Monitor is more powerful than the Force Quit window and works when Force Quit doesn't.
Sometimes an app gets so stuck that even Force Quit can't close it. This happens when the app is no longer responding to the system. Activity Monitor is the next level of force closing. We'll open it and force terminate the stuck app.
Risk: Medium
⏱ 5–15 minutes
Intermediate
⚡ Before you start
- ✓Have your mouse or trackpad working so you can click in Activity Monitor
- ✓Make sure you have other apps with your important work saved (you can lose unsaved work in the frozen app)
- ✓Keep your Mac plugged in during this process
Fix-IT-Bot will walk you through each step, just tap, no typing needed.
Skip, I just want a technicianCommon mistakes to avoid
- Forcing a restart before trying Activity Monitor. Activity Monitor works when Force Quit doesn't, and saves you from losing work
Signs you need professional help
- If even Activity Monitor can't close the app, or if your Mac is frequently freezing multiple apps at once, there's a deeper issue. Give us a call and we'll investigate.
Book a technician
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