MacBook not responding

Is your MacBook turned on but no longer responding to anything? Before you panic, read the tips from our specialists. That way, you and your MacBook can quickly pick up where you left off. And on!

In this blog, we discuss:

• MacBook not responding
• MacBook does not respond to anything, now what?
• Forcing an application to stop
• Forced stopping does not help
• My MacBook keeps crashing
• Check stuck apps via Activity View

MacBook not responding

It doesn’t just happen that your MacBook stops responding to nothing. Chances are it crashes because the processor is overloaded, or because there is not enough working memory to keep all the applications and Internet usage running smoothly. The result is a mouse that no longer moves, a keyboard that won’t kick in and a stuck screen with possibly a spinning waiting cursor or a flashing question mark. Want to pick up where you left off as quickly as possible? Then read the tips below.

MacBook does not respond to anything, now what?

If your MacBook no longer even responds to clicks, first try to estimate what is causing the problem. Did you just plug in an external device such as a camera or hard drive and your laptop crashes? If so, disconnect these accessories first. Or does the MacBook stop responding while using a certain application? Then it’s best to forced to stop. Here’s how to do it. Is your MacBook crashing while files are unsaved? In that case, try to wait calmly first, so that unsaved work is not lost. Don’t panic, because often your MacBook will recover on its own.

Forcing an application to stop

Forcing an application to stop ensures that you can safely close all applications that are likely to get stuck.

If your mouse doesn’t respond, you can use the keyboard. Use the Tab key to navigate your MacBook.

1. Choose the “Force Stop” option from the Apple menu or hold down this key combination: Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) + Escape.
2. In the “Force stop” window that now opens, choose the app you want to close and select “Force stop.

Forced stopping does not help

Did the forced stop of one or more apps not help and your MacBook is still not responding? Then try restarting the laptop in the normal way. You do this through “Reboot” in the Apple menu. If this doesn’t work automatically, then try forced restart:

1. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. Your MacBook will now turn off.
2. Restart the MacBook (if it doesn’t already do so by itself). You should now be able to pick up where you left off!

My MacBook keeps crashing

Have all the above tips not helped you, or only temporarily? If your MacBook keeps crashing constantly and no longer responds to anything, then age and/or a heavy load could be the cause of this. But don’t be alarmed, because fortunately this doesn’t immediately mean you need a new laptop. First, take a look at the Knowledge base of ThePhoneLab, where you can read, for example, how to reinstall your reinstall your MacBookor how to restore factory settings, so your laptop will soon be like new again. Also a thorough cleaning may be a solution. This is because often the cooling system is full of dust and other dirt, causing your laptop to overheat – and no laptop is going to function better and faster from that;)

Still have questions or would you like to consult with one of our specialists? You can always contact us via WhatsApp, phone, email, or stop by one of our stores!

Check stuck apps via Activity View

Does your MacBook stay slow or an application frequently crashes? If so, you can use Activity View to check which apps are using a lot of processor or working memory. Open Activity View through Spotlight (Command ⌘ + space) and type “Activity View. In this window, you can see which processes are using the most CPU or memory. Select a stuck application and click the stop icon to end the process.