How to Fix a Program That Freezes or Stops Responding

Quick answer

When a program is not responding, first give it a minute or two, because it may simply be busy saving a large file or finishing a task. If it stays frozen, close it with Task Manager on Windows or Force Quit on a Mac, then reopen it. If the same program keeps freezing, update it, restart your computer, and check that you have enough free storage and memory. This guide is for anyone whose app, browser or game locks up, shows “Not Responding” in the title bar, or shows a spinning wheel on a Mac.

Before you start

A frozen program is often just slow, not broken. Imagine a student exporting a long video project on an older laptop: the window may look stuck for several minutes and then finish normally. Run through these checks first:

• Wait a little. Give the program one or two minutes, especially if you just clicked Save, Export, Print or Open.
• Look for a hidden window. Sometimes a small “Save changes?” or sign-in box opens behind the main window. Press Alt+Tab on Windows or Command+Tab on a Mac to check.
• Check the rest of the computer. If the mouse, other apps and the clock all freeze too, the problem is the whole system, not one program. Our guide to a slow computer covers that case.
• Think about unsaved work. Force-closing a program can lose anything you have not saved. Many apps (word processors, spreadsheets, photo editors) offer to recover a draft when you reopen them.

A word of caution: if a browser page suddenly claims your computer is “frozen” or “infected” and shows a phone number to call, that is a tech-support scam, not a real warning. Real companies don’t cold-call you about viruses or ask you to call them from a pop-up. Close the browser tab or force-close the browser as described below, and never let a stranger connect to your computer remotely.

How to close a program that is not responding

Closing a frozen program safely is the main fix. Use the steps for your system.

Windows 11

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. You can also right-click the Start button and choose Task Manager.
2. If Task Manager opens in a small view, select More details.
3. On the Processes page, find the program. A frozen one is usually labeled “Not responding” in the Status column.
4. Select it, then select End task. Wait a few seconds for it to close.
5. Reopen the program. If it offers to recover a document, choose to recover it and save a copy right away.

Windows 10 works the same way. Only end programs you recognize. Ending unknown system entries can make Windows unstable until you restart.

macOS

1. Press Option+Command+Esc to open the Force Quit window. You can also open the Apple menu and choose Force Quit.
2. Select the program that is not responding (it may say “Not Responding” next to its name).
3. Click Force Quit and confirm.
4. Reopen the app and look for any recovered documents.

If the app does not appear in that list, open Activity Monitor (in Applications, then Utilities), select the app, and click the stop button at the top of the window, then choose Force Quit.

Stop the same program from freezing again

If one program freezes once in a while, a restart is usually enough. If it freezes every day, work through these steps in order.

1. Restart the computer. Choose Restart, not just closing the lid. This clears out memory and finishes any pending updates.
2. Update the program. Use the app’s own “Check for updates” option, the Microsoft Store, the Mac App Store or the maker’s official website. Avoid download sites that bundle extra software.
3. Update your system. On Windows 11, open Settings, then Windows Update. On a Mac, open System Settings, then General, then Software Update. Updates often include fixes for crashes. If an update seems stuck, see what to do when Windows Update gets stuck.
4. Check free storage. Programs need room for temporary files. If your drive is almost full, freezes become common. On Windows, check Settings, then System, then Storage, and see our guide to free up disk space. On a Mac, check System Settings, then General, then Storage.
5. Look at memory use. Open Task Manager or Activity Monitor and sort by memory. If a web browser with dozens of tabs is using most of the memory, close tabs you don’t need before opening heavier programs.
6. Close add-ons and plug-ins. Browser extensions and app plug-ins can cause hangs. Try turning off extensions one at a time to find a troublemaker, then remove the ones you don’t use.
7. Try a fresh file. If the program only freezes with one document or project, that file may be damaged or very large. Test with a new, empty file.

Repair or reinstall the program

On Windows 11, some apps can be repaired. Open Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps, select the three dots next to the program, and look for Advanced options or Modify. Not every program offers these. If there is a Repair button, try it first; Reset may clear the app’s settings and saved data, so read the on-screen note before using it.

If repairing does not help, uninstall the program and install a fresh copy from the maker’s official site or app store. Before you uninstall, make sure you know how to sign back in and that your files are saved somewhere outside the program. On a Mac, most apps can be removed by dragging them from Applications to the Trash, though some include their own uninstaller.

If this does not work

Try these next steps, easiest first:

• Check for a pattern. Does it freeze only when printing, only when a USB drive is plugged in, or only on battery? That clue points to the real cause, such as a printer driver or a power setting.
• Review the history on Windows. Search the Start menu for “reliability” and open View reliability history. It lists app failures by date, which can show whether freezes started after a particular update or new install.
• Test with another user account. If the program works in a different account on the same computer, the problem is likely that account’s settings for the program.
• Scan for malware. Use Windows Security on Windows, which is built in. Unknown programs that slow everything down are worth checking.
• Look for a known issue. Visit the program maker’s official support pages or community forum and search for the problem with your version number.

When to get professional help

Stop and get help from the program’s maker or a qualified technician if:

• Many different programs freeze, not just one, even after updates and a restart.
• The whole computer locks up, restarts on its own, or shows a blue or black error screen repeatedly.
• You hear clicking from the computer or see warnings that the drive is failing. Back up your files right away if you still can.
• The program is needed for work and holds data you cannot afford to lose.

For a paid program, the maker’s official support is the best first stop. They know their product’s known issues. Make sure you contact them through their official website, not a number from a pop-up or search ad.

FAQ

Will I lose my work if I end a frozen program?

You can lose anything you had not saved. Many programs keep automatic recovery copies and offer them the next time you open the app. Saving often, and turning on autosave where the program offers it, is the best protection.

Why does my program say not responding and then start working again?

The program was busy and could not answer Windows or macOS for a moment. This is common with large files, slow drives or low memory. If it happens often, freeing up storage and closing other apps usually helps.

Is it safe to end tasks in Task Manager?

Ending a program you opened yourself is safe, apart from losing unsaved work. Avoid ending entries you don’t recognize, since some belong to Windows itself. If you do, restart the computer to bring everything back.

Should I use a cleaner or booster app to stop freezes?

No. Cleaner and booster utilities rarely fix freezing and some cause new problems or show misleading warnings. The built-in tools in Windows and macOS, plus keeping your apps updated, are the safer choice.

Why does only one website make my browser freeze?

Heavy pages with lots of video, ads or scripts can overwhelm a browser, especially on an older computer. Update the browser, close other tabs, and try turning off extensions. If one site always freezes, the problem may be on that site’s end.