Are you struggling with an application not responding on Mac?
Do you have any of the following problems?
- An app won’t launch at all
- An app launches, but stops opening immediately
- An app unexpectedly freezes while you’re using it
They’re all really frustrating scenarios; obviously, you want to fix the problems immediately.
In this article, I’ll explain some of the reasons why your Mac programs are not responding and how you can fix the problem.
Before we start:
Whether you’re struggling with Mac programs not responding or any other issue with your computers, sometimes you need a bit of expert help. Fortunately, MacKeeper’s Premium Services are here to support you. The team of MacKeeper can help with everything from software issues to setting up your Wi-Fi router—any time of day or night.
To use MacKeeper’s Premium Services:
- Download MacKeeper and follow the on-screen instructions to install and activate it.
- Open MacKeeper.
- Choose Premium Services from the sidebar.
- Click Chat Now to connect to a tech expert.
In this article you will find the following:
Why are your applications not responding on Mac
There are several reasons why you might experience an app not responding on a MacBook. You might be running low on RAM, for example. Alternatively, it could be an issue with the software itself—maybe it needs updating, has a temporary error, or just isn’t compatible with your Mac.
Let’s go through some of the reasons why Mac programs might not be responding.
1. Mac is low on RAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and it’s like your computer’s short-term memory. It’s cleared every time you reboot your Mac, but if it’s been a while, it can get clogged up. Some apps can take up a lot of RAM.
When your Mac is low on RAM, or one app is using a lot of RAM, it might freeze or crash.
If you’re having issues with an app not responding on a MacBook, find out how to free RAM on a Mac. This might fix the problems quickly—but if not, don’t worry. There are other potential solutions, too!
2. The program needs to be updated
I often put off updating my apps, mostly because I’m busy—I don’t want to stop using the software while I wait for it to update.
But sometimes outdated apps don’t work so well. Also, developers might have fixed known glitches in their latest update.
So don’t put it off! Update your software regularly, and you might avoid app freezing and crashing.
3. Software errors
All applications have the potential to have bugs from time to time. Whether it’s a new program or one of the most popular apps in the world, errors can happen.
Sometimes, these errors occur every time you try a particular action, or they might only happen once.
Programs may be able to recover and unfreeze, restart automatically, or freeze and need to be closed by the user.
4. An application may conflict with another application
Not all apps play well together. If you’ve recently installed a new application and another one has unexpectedly started freezing, it could be a sign of a conflict.
Unfortunately, in this scenario, you might need to decide which app is more important.
5. Damaged files
Every app has a range of other files that help it work. Sometimes, these files become corrupted, and that can cause problems, such as frozen apps.
Later in this article, I’ll explain how to clear cache and settings files that might be damaged.
6. Incompatible software
MacBook freezing problems might be caused by software incompatibility. Not all programs are set up to work with every version of macOS.
You might be able to fix this by updating your macOS. However, if you’ve recently upgraded and that’s caused the problem, you can’t easily downgrade a Mac. If this is the issue, then you might need to install any available updates for your app—or wait for them to be released.
Additionally, some applications might only work on Macs running an Intel Processor, not an Apple Silicon chip, or vice versa. This isn’t something that you can change—you might need to find an alternative app or use a different MacBook.
How to fix apps that are not responding on Mac
If an app is not responding on your MacBook, you can try force quitting and reopening it, restarting your Mac, deleting cache files, or reinstalling it entirely.
I’ll explain all of these possible fixes—and some others as well. Whether you use a MacBook Air or Pro, or another Apple computer, these tips should help you solve the problem.
However, if you want more assistance, why not ask for expert help? MacKeeper’s Premium Services can connect you to a team of Mac specialists who will support you with your software issues.
To access help from Mac specialists:
- Open MacKeeper, and choose Premium Services.
- Click Chat Now to connect with an expert.


1. Force exit the application
Sometimes, when an app freezes, you can’t close it normally—so you need to use Apple’s force quit feature.
To force quit on Mac:
- Press Command+Option+Esc.
- Choose the app you want to force quit and click Force Quit.

2. Restart your Mac
Whenever I have a problem with my Mac, my first instinct is always to reboot it. When you restart MacBook, you close everything–including processes and applications that have glitched. It fixes a lot of issues!
To restart your Mac:
- Go to Apple menu > Restart.
- Click Restart.


3. Check system resources
Another app might be hogging resources, or your Mac is struggling with a process. Keep an eye on your Mac’s performance using Activity Monitor.
To use Activity Monitor:
- Open Launchpad from the Dock, search for Activity Monitor, and launch it.
- Look under CPU and Memory to see what’s using your resources.


4. Check for compatibility issues
As I’ve mentioned, some apps don’t work with certain versions of macOS. Check the developer’s website to find out if your Mac is compatible.
The program may have requirements for:
- macOS version
- Available storage space
- Available RAM
Does your Mac meet these requirements?
Our expert’s tip: If you’re new to Mac computers, remember that you can’t install Windows programs such as .exe files. You’ll need to find a Mac installer or look for a different app.
Think about when the problems started. If you’ve recently installed another application, could this be causing compatibility issues? Try uninstalling the new app.
5. Apply software updates
Some apps stop responding when there’s a new version available—or, if there’s a known glitch in the software, the developers might have fixed it in the updated version.
You can usually find updates on the app’s website or in the App Store. Alternatively, use MacKeeper’s Update Tracker to update multiple apps at once.
To update software with our app:
- Open MacKeeper and choose Update Tracker.
- Click Scan for Updates.
- Select the apps you want to update and click Update.



6. Delete the application cache
The application cache can help apps run faster by storing various settings and data. It builds up as you use the software—but sometimes it can become glitched. To oppose this problem, find out how to clear the app cache on Mac.
7. Get rid of the settings file
As well as clearing the application cache, you may want to delete your app’s settings file. Removing this will cause your application to create a new, non-glitched, one.
Unfortunately, these preferences files could be in several different locations—I’ll explain how to find and remove them.
To get rid of an app’s settings file:
- First, make sure the application is closed. Then, in Finder, go to Go > Go to Folder.
- Type ~/Library/Preferences and press Enter.
- Search for any files that contain your app’s name. Then, drag and drop it into another folder—it’s fine to use your Desktop or Documents folder.
- Repeat this process for the following folders:
- /Library/Preferences
- ~/Library/Containers/[App Name Here]/Data/Library/Preferences
- /Library/Application Support/[App Name Here]
- ~/Library/Application Support/[App Name Here]




A hint from our team: The folders may be named with the app developer’s name instead of the app’s name—check both file paths if you can’t find any relevant files.
8. Update your macOS
When an application is not responding on Mac, it might be because it’s not compatible with your macOS. For example, you may need to update from macOS Sonoma to Sequoia.
To update macOS:
- Go to Apple menu > System Settings.
- Under General, click Software Update.
- If any updates are available, follow the on-screen instructions.



9. Reinstall the program
If you can’t fix the problem, you might need to reinstall your app. First, though, you’ll need to uninstall it—I’ll talk you through the steps using MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller. Then, you can reinstall it.
To reinstall an app on Mac:
- To uninstall the app, open MacKeeper and choose Smart Uninstaller.
- Click Start Scan.
- When the scan is complete, choose Applications.
- Select the app you want to remove and click Remove Selected. Then, download and install the app again.




Important:
This solution won’t work if it’s a system app, such as Finder. Check out what to do if you’re experiencing problems with Mac Finder not responding.
10. Contact the developer of the software
If you’re still having problems, contact the developers. They may have seen these issues before, and know how to fix them.
An extra hint from us: You can usually find contact details for support teams on the app’s official website or in the App Store.
Conclusion
There are a few things that are more annoying than Mac programs not responding when you’re trying to use them.
Hopefully this article has explained why freezing occurs, and helped you to fix the problem. However, if you’re still having trouble, consider asking for expert help. MacKeeper’s Premium Services can provide support with all your Mac problems at any time of day or night. Try it yourself.