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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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Use this map to find the data centers in your backyard

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Use this map to find the data centers in your backyard

When Oregon resident Isabelle Reksopuro heard Google was gobbling up public land to fuel its data centers in her home state, she didn’t initially know what to believe. “There’s a lot of misinformation about data centers,” she said. “Google has denied taking that land.”

Technically, she explains, The Dalles, a city near the Washington state border, sought to reclaim that land, “and Google is just a big, unnamed power user.” The city had in fact asked for ownership of a 150-acre portion of Mount Hood National Forest, claiming it needs access to Mount Hood’s watershed to meet municipal needs as its population — 16,010 as of the 2020 census — grows. But critics, including environmentalists, say the city is trying to secure more water for Google, which has a sprawling data center campus in The Dalles that already consumes about one-third of the city’s water supply.

This controversy made Reksopuro curious about the backlash to data centers being built in other communities. So Reksopuro, a student at the University of Washington who studies the connections between tech and public policy, decided to map it out. Using information collected by Epoch AI and data scraped from legislation on data centers, she built an interactive map tracking AI policy around the world. She designed it to be simple enough for anyone to use. “I wanted it to be something that my younger sisters could play through and explore to understand what are the data centers in the area and what’s actually being done about it,” Reksopuro said. She hoped to shift their opinions that way, “instead of like, through TikTok.”

Four times a day, the map searches for new sources and checks them against the existing database Reksopuro built out. “Once it does that, it will write a new summary, add it to the news feed, and populate it on the sidebar,” she said. “I wanted it to be self-updating, since I’m also a student.”

Reksopuro isn’t against data centers, but she thinks tech giants benefit from a lack of transparency around data center policies. “Right now, it’s this really opaque thing — and all of a sudden, there’s a facility,” she said. “I think that if people knew about data centers beforehand, it would give them leverage. They would be able to negotiate: ask for job training programs, tax revenue, environmental monitoring, things to improve their community.”

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Graduation speaker praises AI, gets instantly booed

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Graduation speaker praises AI, gets instantly booed

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:

– UCF graduates clobber commencement speaker with boos after she says AI is the ‘next Industrial Revolution’

– OPINION: DIRECTOR KASH PATEL: We brought the FBI out of the past and into the AI age

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– OpenAI backs creation of global AI governance body led by the U.S. that would include China as a member

TOUGH CROWD: During a recent commencement ceremony at the University of Central Florida, a speaker was met with loud boos from the graduating class after declaring that artificial intelligence represents the next industrial revolution. Fox News Digital reporting captures this tense cultural moment, illustrating the mixed public sentiment and skepticism surrounding AI’s growing footprint in daily life.

A statue on the campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. (iStock)

BADGE MEETS BYTE: Reflecting on the modernization of national security in a Fox News op-ed, FBI Director Kash Patel explores how the bureau must adapt its strategies to address modern threats and advance beyond the artificial intelligence age.

TECH DIPLOMACY: OpenAI is throwing its support behind the establishment of a new global artificial intelligence governance organization that would be led by the United States while notably including China as a member. Fox News Digital reporting examines the geopolitical dynamics and regulatory implications of this proposed framework as global powers race to set the standards for AI development.

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EQUITY ELEVATION: The massive wave of wealth generated by the explosive growth of ChatGPT and the broader AI industry is driving a sudden surge in the San Francisco Bay Area’s luxury real estate market. Fox News Digital reporting breaks down how the influx of new tech capital is reshaping local housing dynamics and fueling a high-end property frenzy.

FBI Director Kash Patel listened as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke during a press conference at the Department of Justice on April 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

STRATEGY RESET: Tech giant Cisco is planning to eliminate thousands of jobs as the company shifts its primary focus to accelerate its artificial intelligence initiatives, a move that comes despite the company beating earnings expectations. Fox News Digital reporting details the corporate restructuring and broader economic trends pushing legacy tech firms to aggressively pivot toward AI.

ROAD HAZARD: Waymo is issuing a sweeping recall of its autonomous vehicle fleet following a concerning incident that highlighted significant safety issues with the self-driving technology. Fox News Digital reporting outlines the specifics of the recall, the nature of the safety flaw, and what this setback means for the future of fully autonomous transportation on public roads.

BOTS IN THE BAY: A newly developed, artificial intelligence-powered robot has been engineered to seamlessly change and balance vehicle tires without human intervention. Fox News Digital reporting showcases this latest innovation, exploring how automation and AI mechanics could soon revolutionize the automotive service and repair industry.

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during the 2026 Infrastructure Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 11, 2026. (Kylie Cooper/Reuters)

 

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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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Microsoft’s Edge Copilot update uses AI to pull information from across your tabs

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Microsoft’s Edge Copilot update uses AI to pull information from across your tabs

Microsoft Edge is adding a new feature that will allow its Copilot AI chatbot to gather information from all of your open tabs. When you start a conversation with Copilot, you can ask the chatbot questions about what’s in your tabs, compare the products you’re looking at, summarize your open articles, and more.

In its announcement, Microsoft says you can “select which experiences you want or leave off the ones you don’t.” The company is retiring Copilot Mode as well, which could similarly draw information from your tabs but offered some agentic features, like the ability to book a reservation on your behalf. Microsoft has since folded these agentic capabilities into its “Browse with Copilot” tool.

Several other AI features are coming to Edge, including an AI-powered “Study and Learn” mode that can turn the article you’re looking at into a study session or interactive quiz. There’s a new tool that turns your tabs into AI-powered podcasts as well, similar to what you’d find on NotebookLM, and an AI writing assistant that will pop up when you start entering text on a webpage.

You can also give Copilot permission to access your browsing history to provide more “relevant, high-quality answers,” according to Microsoft. Copilot in Edge on desktop and mobile will come with “long-term memory” as well, which can tailor its responses based on your previous conversations. And, when you open up a new tab, you’ll see a redesigned page that combines chat, search, and web navigation, along with the Journeys feature, which uses AI to organize your browsing history into categories that you can revisit.

Meanwhile, an update to Edge’s mobile app will allow you to share your screen with Copilot and talk through the questions about what you’re seeing. Microsoft says you’ll see “clear visual cues” when Copilot is active, “so you know when it’s taking an action, helping, listening, or viewing.”

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