To fix a frozen laptop, close the unresponsive app, restart normally if the controls work, and force a shutdown only when nothing responds. Closing an app forcibly or shutting down this way can lose unsaved work. If freezing returns after restarting, check software updates, startup apps, accessories, and hardware before resetting the system.
The short version
- One app stuck: Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows or the force-quit window with Option + Command + Esc on Mac to close it.
- Windows display frozen: Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B to try resetting the graphics driver.
- Nothing responds: Follow your laptop model's Power button procedure to force a shutdown or restart.
- Freezes keep returning: Check updates, startup apps, accessories, and cooling before considering a reset.
| Fix | When to use it | Main catch |
|---|---|---|
| Close a Windows or Mac app | One application stops responding | Unsaved app work can be lost |
| Relaunch Finder | Mac file browsing freezes | The force-quit window must open |
| End a Chrome process | One page or extension freezes | Unsaved process work is lost |
| Reset Windows graphics | The display freezes or goes blank | Targets display failures |
| Restart Windows Explorer | The desktop or taskbar freezes | Task Manager must work |
| Change Windows display mode | Output goes to another screen | Does not repair a systemwide freeze |
| Restart normally | Controls still respond | Save accessible work first |
| Force a shutdown or restart | Normal controls fail | Timing depends on the model |
| Reset Chromebook hardware | Restarting does not help | Some Downloads files may be removed |
| Reduce Chrome workload | Chrome alone keeps freezing | Requires a usable system |
| Disable browser extensions | Chrome or Safari freezes repeatedly | Check suspect extensions individually |
| Update Chrome | Browser freezes persist | ChromeOS uses system updates |
| Disable Chrome graphics acceleration | Chrome freezes on Windows or Mac | Unavailable in the ChromeOS interface |
| Reload or reopen Safari | A page leaves Safari stuck | Force quitting can lose unsaved work |
| Update the operating system | Freezes return after restarting | Updates depend on device support |
| Reduce startup apps | Freezes follow sign-in | Record Mac login items before removal |
| Uninstall a Windows app | Freezes began after its installation | Complete the app's uninstaller |
| Free Windows storage | Storage pressure causes slowdown | Review cleanup settings first |
| Scan for malware | Windows performance problems recur | Windows Security must be accessible |
| Remove redundant antivirus software | Multiple antivirus products are installed | Keep one active antivirus solution |
| Disconnect accessories | Freezes follow new hardware | Check whether the freeze returns |
| Clear blocked Dell vents | Heat accompanies slowdown or lockups | Turn off and disconnect power first |
| Try Safe Mode | Windows or Mac freezes repeatedly | Windows may request a recovery key |
| Run hardware diagnostics | Hardware trouble remains possible | Controls vary by manufacturer |
| Repair reinstall Windows or macOS | Earlier software fixes fail | Availability and entry steps vary |
| Reset Windows or Powerwash Chromebook | Other software recovery fails | Back up before removing apps or data |
Close the app that stopped responding
On Windows 11, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Under Processes, select the unresponsive application and choose End task. If that shortcut does not work, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager. Ending the application can discard its unsaved work.
For a Mac app, try Command + Q first. If it remains stuck, press Option + Command + Esc, select the app, and click Force Quit. When Finder itself is unresponsive, select Finder in that window and click Relaunch.
For a frozen Chrome page, open More > More tools > Task manager, select the affected page, extension, or app, and click End process. Unsaved work in that process is lost. If the app-closing controls do not respond, continue to the display check or restart procedure.
Fix a frozen Windows display or desktop
For an apparently frozen or blank Windows display, press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. A successful graphics driver reset may produce a beep or screen flicker. This targets display failures and cannot be relied on to fix a systemwide freeze.
When the desktop or taskbar is stuck but Task Manager opens, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and find Windows Explorer. Right-click it and select Restart. If output is going to another display, press Windows + P, press P again, then press Enter to change the display mode.
Restart when closing apps does not help
Save any work you can still access, then use a normal restart. On Windows, select Start > Power > Restart; on a Mac, open the Apple menu and select Restart. If those controls fail, you can restart a computer that is unresponsive using its model's power button procedure.
For an unresponsive Windows laptop, hold Power until it shuts down, then turn it on again. Microsoft specifies 20 seconds in its general display troubleshooting procedure, but follow your laptop manufacturer's timing for your model. On current Surface Laptop models, hold Power until the device shuts down, restarts, and shows the Windows logo, approximately 20 seconds, then release it.
On a MacBook, hold Power for up to 10 seconds until it turns off, then press and release Power to start it again. For a MacBook with Touch ID, hold Touch ID to turn it off. Reserve a forced shutdown for a laptop that will not respond to normal controls.
For a Chromebook, turn it off and back on first. If that does not help, most models support a hardware reset: turn it off, hold Refresh, tap Power, and release Refresh when startup begins. This reset can remove some files from Downloads, so back them up first when the Chromebook is usable.
Fix freezes that happen only in the browser
If Chrome keeps freezing while the rest of the laptop works, close unnecessary tabs and applications, pause downloads, and reload the affected page. Quit and reopen Chrome if needed. Try the same page in another browser to determine whether the failure is specific to Chrome.
Next, open More > Extensions > Manage extensions and turn off the suspect extension to check whether freezing stops. On Windows or Mac, open More > Help > About Google Chrome to check for updates, then select Relaunch if offered. Chromebooks receive browser updates through ChromeOS updates.
For persistent Chrome freezes on Windows or Mac, open More > Settings > System. Turn off Use graphics acceleration when available, then relaunch Chrome. That setting is not part of the ChromeOS interface.
In Safari, press Command + R to reload the page. If Safari remains stuck, press Option + Command + Esc, select Safari, and click Force Quit. Hold Shift while opening Safari to prevent previous problematic pages from reopening. If freezes recur, open Safari > Settings > Extensions and disable suspect extensions individually.
Update the system and reduce startup activity
Once Windows responds, open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. For offered driver fixes, open Advanced options > Optional updates. Install relevant updates and restart when required.
On a Mac, open the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update and install the compatible update offered. On a Chromebook, connect to power and Wi-Fi, select the time, and open Settings > About ChromeOS > Check for updates. Select Restart when the update notification appears.
For Windows freezes after signing in, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and select Startup apps. Right-click an unnecessary app and select Disable. Restart and see whether the freeze returns.
For Mac startup problems, open the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Record the entries under Open at Login, select them, and click Remove. Restart, then add them back individually, restarting between additions to identify the culprit.
If Windows freezes began after installing an app, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find the app, open More options, select Uninstall, and complete its uninstaller. For storage pressure, open Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense, review the cleanup settings, and select Run Storage sense now.
To scan for malware, open Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection, then select Quick scan. Dell also identifies competing antivirus products as a possible cause of lockups. If multiple antivirus products are installed, remove the redundant product using its supported removal procedure and retain one active antivirus solution.
Check accessories and cooling
On a Mac, disconnect recently added peripherals and check whether freezing returns. Dell also recommends disconnecting accessories and docks when troubleshooting freezes. These checks are particularly relevant when the problem began after connecting hardware.
For overheating-related slowdown or lockups on a Dell laptop, turn it off and disconnect power before checking for blocked vents. Follow the model instructions when you clean a laptop fan safely. Dell specifies keeping a compressed air can upright and approximately 6 to 8 inches from the vents.
Use Safe Mode and hardware diagnostics
If Windows keeps freezing, open Settings > System > Recovery, then select Restart now under Advanced startup. In recovery, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Press 4 or F4 for Enable Safe Mode, then check whether the freeze recurs.
If you cannot reach Settings but the power menu works, hold Shift while selecting Power > Restart to enter recovery. An encrypted Windows laptop may request its BitLocker recovery key. On another device, open the Microsoft recovery key portal and sign in to the account holding the key. Match the displayed recovery key ID with the corresponding key before entering it.
On an Apple silicon Mac, shut down, hold Power until startup options appear, and select the startup disk. Hold Shift and click Continue in Safe Mode. On an Intel Mac, turn on or restart while holding Shift until the login window appears. Check for freezing, then restart normally.
For Dell hardware diagnostics, start the laptop and repeatedly press F12 at the Dell logo, then select Diagnostics. Record any error codes. On a Chromebook, select the time and open Settings > About ChromeOS > Diagnostics, then use the CPU and memory tests.
To run Apple Diagnostics, shut down and disconnect unnecessary accessories. On Apple silicon, hold Power until Options appears, release it, then hold Command + D. On Intel, hold D immediately at startup, or Option + D if needed. Run the offered tests and retain any reference codes for service.
Repair the operating system before a factory reset
For persistent Windows software problems, open Settings > System > Recovery. Under Fix problems using Windows Update, select Reinstall now, then select OK. This repair reinstall retains applications and files; keep power and internet connected and restart after installation. The option may be unavailable when your organization manages updates.
A normal macOS Recovery reinstall also preserves applications and personal data, but back up first if possible. On Apple silicon, hold Power at startup and enter Recovery through Options; on Intel, hold Command + R at startup. Select the macOS reinstall option, then select Continue. When offered both volumes, choose Macintosh HD rather than Macintosh HD - Data.
Only consider a factory reset after the earlier software fixes fail, and back up before you factory reset your laptop. For Windows, obtain your BitLocker recovery key first, then open Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. Choose Keep my files or Remove everything. Both remove applications and settings; the latter also removes personal files.
Next, choose Cloud download or Local reinstall and complete the displayed reset workflow. Do not interrupt the reset because its screen temporarily goes black.
For a personal Chromebook, back up local files and sign out, then press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R. Select Restart, then select Powerwash and Continue. This erases local user data, after which you must complete setup and sign in again. For a work or school Chromebook, contact your administrator instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close a frozen Windows app directly from the taskbar?
On Windows 11 25H2 and later, open Settings > System > Advanced and enable End Task under Taskbar. You can then right-click a running application's taskbar icon and select End Task. This forcibly closes the application, and organization policies can disable the setting.
Does an Apple silicon MacBook need an SMC reset?
You do not need a manual SMC reset key combination on an Apple silicon MacBook. For power, charging, or thermal-management symptoms, connect power and restart. Manual SMC reset combinations apply only to specific Intel Mac models.
Is there a Chromebook reset that keeps local files?
You can use Safety reset, when available, to preserve local applications and files while resetting settings and disabling extensions. Select the time, open Settings > System preferences, and select Safety reset under Reset. After completion, select Done and review extensions before enabling them again.
How do I close a frozen app on a Linux laptop?
On a Linux desktop using GNOME System Monitor, open System Monitor > Processes, select the unresponsive process, and click End Process. If it remains open after several seconds, right-click it and select Force Stop. Other desktop environments use different controls.