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Why does my Mac freeze and how do I fix it?

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Why does my Mac freeze and how do I fix it?

Imagine this frustrating scenario: you’re in the middle of a crucial task on your Mac, and, suddenly, everything comes to a halt. You can’t click anything, and your screen is frozen.

This can be a nightmare for anyone using a Mac desktop or a MacBook laptop. 

Let’s explore the causes of a frozen Mac and provide quick solutions to restore its functionality. If you have a PC and it is freezing up, check out these steps to fix the issue by clicking here. 

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Man frustrated with his computer freezing up  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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4 reasons that can cause a Mac to freeze?

1. A hung application consuming excessive memory or CPU resources

2. Newly installed extension or driver that causes a compatibility issue with MacOS

3. Faulty keyboard, mouse or other external device

4. Malware infection leading to increased CPU and memory load.

A woman frustrated by her computer freezing up  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How to fix a frozen mac

Tip 1 — Force-quit applications

If an application freezes, it may only be temporary. Wait a minute or two to see if your Mac stays locked up. If it does, you might need to force-quit the frozen application.

To force-quit an application, use this key command: Command + Option + Escape. This will open the Force Quit menu. Alternatively, right-click the app’s Dock icon and select Force Quit from the menu.

A woman on her laptop  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tip 2 — Restart your Mac

If force-quitting doesn’t work, restart your Mac. If you can move your mouse pointer, click on the Apple Menu in the top-left corner and select Restart.

If you are unable to control the pointer, there are still a couple of other things you can do:

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  • If  you have an older Mac desktop or MacBook that has a DVD drive, press Cmd + Ctrl + Eject
  • If you have a newer Mac that has a Touch ID, press Cmd + Ctrl + Option + Power Button
  • If you have a newer Mac and the steps above don’t work, you will need to press and hold the power button to force-turn off the Mac.

Mac on a desktop  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tip 3 — Free up RAM

Being low on RAM can also cause a frozen Mac. Random Access Memory, or RAM, is the memory that your Mac uses to run applications and handle active tasks. When you open an application, load a file or perform any task, it is loaded into your Mac’s RAM for quick access.

If your Mac doesn’t have enough RAM to handle all the active processes, it starts using virtual memory, which is a portion of your hard drive that acts as temporary RAM. Virtual memory is significantly slower than using actual RAM because it takes more time to read data from the hard drive. Here are a few easy ways to free up RAM on your Mac:

  • Quit applications you’re not actively using as they consume RAM even when running in the background.
  • Ensure your Mac’s operating system and applications are up to date. Newer versions often include performance improvements and bug fixes.

Remove applications you no longer use to free up RAM and storage space.

Mac computer keys  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tip 4 — Disconnect external devices

Sometimes, some peripherals cause your Mac to freeze. To check if that is the case, shut down your Mac and disconnect all external devices — keyboards, mice, external monitors, etc. Now, press the power button to restart your Mac and see if it is still frozen.

Tip 5 — Uninstall unresponsive apps

If a specific app is consistently causing your Mac to freeze, consider uninstalling it.      

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  • Here’s how to uninstall an unresponsive app:
  • Go to the Applications folder and locate the app                                               

Steps to uninstall unresponsive apps  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Drag the application to the trash icon
  • Alternatively, you can left-click on the app and select Move to Trash 

Steps to uninstall unresponsive apps (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tip 6 — Update your software

Sometimes, your Mac can freeze up due to a software bug in an older version of MacOS. It’s always important to keep MacOS updated because Apple routinely rolls out software improvements to help your Mac run smoothly.

Here’s how to make sure you’re running the latest version of macOS:

  • Click on the Apple Menu in the top left corner and click on System Settings

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Steps to update your software Steps to uninstall unresponsive apps (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Click on General
  • Click Software Update. If there is an update available, you should install it now.
  • Next, you should update your apps. You can do this quickly by opening the App Store and checking the updates tab.

NEW MALWARE IS TARGETING MACOS AND CAN STEAL SENSITIVE INFORMATION FROM YOUR DEVICE

Tip 7 — Restart in safe mode

If your Mac is freezing due to a broken extension, you can spot it by booting into safe mode. This special boot loads only those files essential to macOS and performs some troubleshooting. If your Mac isn’t having the same issue when booting into safe mode, then it probably means the problem is with an app or extension.

Booting in safe mode differs depending on which generation of Mac you have. If you have an Intel-based Mac (2020 or earlier), follow these steps:

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  • Shut down your Mac and wait 10 seconds
  • Restart your Mac and hold the shift key
  • Release the shift key once the login window appear

If you have a newer Mac that runs on Apple’s silicon (2021 or later), follow these steps to restart in safe mode:

  • Shut down your Mac and wait 10 seconds.
  • Press and hold the power button until the startup options window appears
  • Select a startup disk.
  • Press the Shift key and click Continue in Safe Mode.
  • Release the Shift key.

10 USEFUL MAC KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Tip 8 — Repair disk with Disk Utility

An issue with your startup disk can cause your Mac to lock up occasionally. Luckily, Apple has a built-in tool to help repair an issue with the Mac’s startup disk. Here’s how to repair a disk with the Disk Utility tool:

Steps to update your software Steps to uninstall unresponsive apps  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Click Utilities
  • Open Disk Utility

Steps to repair disk with Disk Utility  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Select your startup disk in the sidebar
  • Click First Aid in the Disk Utility toolbar

Kurt’s key takeaways

There’s no need to panic if your Mac freezes. Follow these eight tips, and you should have your Mac back up and running in no time. Always keep your Mac current, and don’t forget to delete old applications or extensions you don’t use anymore. It’s pretty easy to overlook — I know I do sometimes — but it can free up space on your Mac and keep everything running smoothly.

In your opinion, what could Apple do to improve the Mac user experience, especially regarding system stability? Let us know in the comments below. Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Tenways’ compact e-bike twists and folds to go flat

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Tenways’ compact e-bike twists and folds to go flat

Tenways just launched its new CGO Compact electric bike in Europe that’s designed to fit into tight spaces like car trunks, apartment hallways, and train compartments.

To achieve this, the CGO Compact is fitted with small 20-inch wheels, folding pedals, and a handlebar fitted with a twistable stem to create a slim, wall-hugging profile. The adjustable steering column and low-step through frame also make it suitable for a wide range of rider heights, so it could be a good shareable e-bike for families. And its MIK HD rear carrier system is good for hauling up to 27kg (almost 60 pounds) around town, with mounting points for additional accessories like a crate or child seat.

Tenways might not be a household name globally, but the Chinese e-bike company headquartered in the Netherlands is making a name for itself in Europe thanks to aggressive pricing, sleek designs, and over 1,500 shops and service centers. And while the CGO Compact’s €1,999 (about $2,365) price tag isn’t cheap, it’s well below the €2,681 average for European e-bikes.

The company does sell e-bikes in the US, but the CGO Compact is only for sale in Europe as of today. It features a 250W rear-hub motor connected to a Gates Carbon belt drive for maintenance-free propulsion. It promises a range of up to 100km from its 500Wh removable battery, but its single-speed drivetrain produces only 45Nm of torque so it’s best suited for relatively flat cities. If your commute does stray from asphalt then the suspension seat post should help absorb bumps. There’s also an integrated torque sensor to ensure the smooth delivery of pedal-assisted power, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes should keep any sudden stops under control.

The CGO Compact lives up to its name regarding size, but it’s not all that lightweight. Stripped down it weighs 19.8kg (almost 44 pounds), or 22.1kg (almost 49 pounds) with all the accessories you’ll want in wet urban environments. That makes it heavier than many full-sized e-bikes, even from Tenways, and less versatile than the excellent 20-inch Brompton G foldable which also weighs less but costs more than twice as much.

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Trump activates ‘tech force’

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Trump activates ‘tech force’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

Inside Trump administration’s AI tech force designed to modernize government
Elon Musk slams Anthropic AI models as ‘misanthropic’ and ‘evil’ in scathing social media post
AI power players pour cash into competitive primaries as 2026 midterms heat up

‘TECH FORCE’: Inside Trump administration’s AI initiative designed to modernize government – FOX Business reports on the Trump administration’s latest initiative to overhaul federal efficiency, detailing an internal AI “tech force” tasked with modernizing antiquated government systems and streamlining operations.

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TECH ALLIANCE: War Department to partner with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT, GenAI for military use – The Department of Defense is reportedly strengthening its technological arsenal through a strategic partnership with OpenAI, aiming to integrate ChatGPT and generative AI capabilities into military operations to maintain a strategic edge.

SCATHING POST: Elon Musk slams Anthropic AI models as ‘misanthropic’ and ‘evil’ – Tech billionaire Elon Musk took to social media to unleash a scathing attack on rival AI firm Anthropic, characterizing their models as “misanthropic” and “evil” in a post that highlights the intensifying ideological rift within Silicon Valley.

Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., during the US-Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

POWER PLAYERS: AI execs pour cash into competitive primaries as 2026 midterms heat up – With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, deep-pocketed investors and executives from the artificial intelligence sector are pouring cash into competitive primaries, hoping to shape the regulatory landscape for the booming technology.

OPINION: AI raises the stakes for national security — here is how to get it right – In this opinion piece, OpenAI’s Chris Lehane argues that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has dramatically raised the stakes for American national security, outlining a strategic framework to ensure the U.S. maintains its dominance without compromising safety.

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OPINION: The 2028 election will be a referendum on our future in an AI-dominated world – As technology accelerates, this op-ed contends that the 2028 presidential election will serve as a critical referendum on humanity’s future, forcing voters to decide how the nation should navigate an increasingly AI-dominated world.

Children forming deep emotional connections with AI companions is raising questions among parents. (StockPlanets/Getty Images)

BATTLE FOR DOMINANCE: AI wars begin in new Super Bowl commercials – The battle for artificial intelligence dominance has moved to the advertising stage, as tech giants unleash a wave of new Super Bowl commercials designed to capture the public imagination and assert their position in the “AI wars.”

BOT TO THE FUTURE: Humanoid robots are getting smaller, safer and closer to home – Recent advancements in robotics are making humanoid machines smaller, safer, and more viable for domestic use, suggesting that a future where robots assist with daily household tasks is getting closer to reality.

MOYA’S DEBUT: ‘Warm-skinned’ AI robot with camera eyes is seriously creepy – A new development in robotics featuring “warm skin” and camera eyes has sparked a mix of fascination and unease, with many observers describing the lifelike yet artificial creation as “seriously creepy.”

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Moya’s humanlike appearance is intentional, from her warm skin to subtle facial details designed to feel familiar rather than mechanical.   (DroidUp)

DIGITAL DANGER: AI companions are reshaping teen emotional bonds – A growing trend of teenagers forming deep emotional connections with AI companions is raising questions among parents and psychologists about the long-term impact of synthetic relationships on social development and mental health.

Subscribe now to get the Fox News Artificial Intelligence Newsletter in your inbox.

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Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.

 

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A surprise God of War prequel is out on the PS5 right now

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A surprise God of War prequel is out on the PS5 right now

To close out its February 2026 State of Play presentation, Sony revealed God of War Sons of Sparta, a new prequel 2D side scroller in the God of War franchise, and announced that it’s out right now on PlayStation 5.

God of War Sons of Sparta is a 2D action platformer with a canon story set in Kratos’ youth during his harsh training at the Agoge alongside his brother Deimos,” Sony says. Over the course of the game, Kratos will “learn deadly skills using his spear and shield, as well as harness powerful divine artifacts known as the Gifts of Olympus to take on a wide array of foes.”

Sony’s Santa Monica Studio collaborated on the game with Mega Cat Studios. It costs $29.99, with a Digital Deluxe version available for $39.99.

Sony also announced that it’s working on a remake of the original God of War trilogy, with TC Carson set to return as the voice of Kratos. However, the project is “still very early in development, so we ask for your patience as it will be a while before anything else can be shared,” according to Sony. “When we can come back with an update, we aim to make it a big one!”

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