Is Your Mac or PC Freezing or Crashing? Step-by-Step Solutions
When your Mac or PC suddenly starts crashing, freezing, or becoming unresponsive, it can be stressful and confusing - especially if you’re working on something important or don’t know what caused the issue. Crashes and freezes don’t always happen without warning. They are usually signs that something is wrong with your computer’s software, hardware, or settings.
Sometimes, it's something small - like having too many programs open. Other times, it's a deeper issue, like a failing hard drive or corrupt files. But no matter the cause, most problems can be fixed if handled correctly. This guide will walk you through all the common reasons your computer might be crashing or freezing and explain what you can do, step by step, to fix it and prevent it from happening again.
Key Takeaways
- System crashes and freezes usually signal software, malware, or hardware issues.
- Always start with basic troubleshooting like restarting or updating software.
- Tools like Safe Mode, Activity Monitor, and hardware diagnostics help pinpoint issues.
- Back up your data before performing resets or OS reinstalls.
- Seek professional repair if problems persist after DIY fixes.
Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix Crashing or Freezing Issues
1. Restart the Computer First
Start by doing the simplest thing - restart your Mac or PC. Restarting can:
- Clear out temporary glitches or memory overload.
- Stop any stuck background processes.
- Refresh the system and restore normal performance.
If your computer is frozen and you can’t shut it down the normal way, press and hold the power button for a few seconds until it powers off, then turn it back on.
If restarts don't help and crashes continue, your device may need a hardware check. Visit your nearest iFixScreens store for a full diagnostic to identify deeper issues.
2. Update the Operating System and Apps
Outdated software can often cause freezing, crashing, or slow behavior. New updates usually contain bug fixes and performance improvements.
On Mac: Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install any updates.
On Windows: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.
Also, update your major applications (especially browsers, antivirus, and graphic tools) to their latest versions.
3. Run a Full Malware and Virus Scan
Malware (malicious software) or viruses can slow down your computer, cause it to freeze, or even damage your files.
Use Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, Norton, or any trusted antivirus software to scan the entire system.
Mac users should also consider scanning with tools like Malwarebytes for Mac, especially if performance issues are frequent.
Remove any detected threats and restart your computer after the scan. If malware keeps coming back or files are already damaged, bring your device to iFixScreens for a complete virus removal and cleanup.
4. Free Up Disk Space
A full or nearly full hard drive can cause your system to freeze or crash frequently.
Delete unused files and apps.
Empty the Trash or Recycle Bin.
Move large files (like videos, photos, or installers) to an external drive or cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive, etc.).
Aim to have at least 15–20% free space on your system drive.
Low disk space also affects virtual memory, which the system needs when physical RAM is used up.
5. Check Background Programs and Resource Usage
Too many apps running at once can overload your RAM and processor (CPU), leading to crashes or long freezes.
On Mac: Open Activity Monitor (search in Spotlight). Sort by Memory and CPU usage. Quit programs that are using too much.
On Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click on the Processes tab. End tasks that are using high CPU, Memory, or Disk—especially ones you don’t recognize or need at the moment.
If a certain program regularly causes freezes (like a web browser or video editor), try reinstalling it or using an alternative.
6. Start in Safe Mode
Safe Mode helps diagnose software problems by starting the system with only essential drivers and processes.
On Mac: Restart and hold the Shift key during boot until the login screen appears. Use your Mac in Safe Mode and see if it freezes or crashes.
On Windows: Hold the Shift key, click Restart from the Start menu, go to Advanced Startup > Troubleshoot > Startup Settings > Enable Safe Mode.
If your computer works fine in Safe Mode, the problem is likely being caused by a background app or service that loads in normal mode.
7. Run System Diagnostics and Hardware Checks
Hardware failures can also lead to constant freezing or crashing. Here’s how to check:
Windows: Type "Windows Memory Diagnostic" into the search bar and run the tool. It checks for memory errors and shows results after restarting.
Mac: Restart and hold the D key until Apple Diagnostics starts. This tests memory and other hardware.
Need help interpreting results? Visit iFixScreens - our technicians can pinpoint and replace faulty hardware components efficiently.
a. Overheating
If your computer is very hot, fans are loud, or it shuts down randomly, it may be overheating.
Make sure your computer is on a flat surface with good air flow.
Clean vents and fans to remove dust.
Avoid using heavy apps in warm environments.
At iFixScreens, we offer internal cleanings and thermal paste replacements that help prevent overheating-related crashes.
9. Update or Reinstall Drivers (Windows)
Outdated or corrupt drivers - especially for the display, sound, or network - can make your PC crash.
Right-click Start > Device Manager.
Expand key categories (like Display adapters), right-click on the device, and click Update driver.
If you just installed a new driver and problems started after that, right-click and select Roll Back Driver.
Mac users don’t typically deal with drivers, since macOS manages hardware automatically through system updates.
10. Reset SMC or NVRAM on Mac (if needed)
For Intel-based Macs, you can reset low-level system settings that affect power, battery, fan, and display behavior.
Reset NVRAM/PRAM: Shut down the Mac, then press and hold Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds while turning it back on.
Reset SMC: The method depends on your Mac model. Most involve turning it off and pressing specific keys (like Shift + Control + Option + Power) for 10 seconds.
For Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3), these resets are handled automatically during restarts.
11. Reinstall the Operating System
If nothing else works, a clean reinstall may be the best solution. It refreshes all system files and clears out hidden errors or corrupt settings.
Mac: Restart and hold Command + R to enter macOS Recovery. Select Reinstall macOS. You can keep your data if you don’t erase the disk.
Windows: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC. Choose Keep my files or Remove everything based on your need.
Before reinstalling, make sure to back up your files to a USB drive, cloud, or external hard disk.
How to Prevent Future Crashes and Freezes
Update regularly: Keep your system and apps updated.
Install antivirus software and run regular scans.
Avoid installing unknown software or unnecessary browser extensions.
Clean your system regularly: Use built-in tools to clear junk files.
Don’t overload your system: Avoid running too many apps or browser tabs at once.
Keep your system cool: Ensure good airflow and clean your device periodically.
If your Mac or PC keeps crashing or freezing, it may be due to software glitches, malware, or hardware issues. While basic fixes can help, deeper problems often need expert attention. iFixScreens offers quick and reliable MacBook and PC repair services - from virus removal to hardware replacement - ensuring your device runs smoothly again.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with a crashing or freezing Mac or PC can be frustrating, but most problems can be solved with the right steps. It’s important to remain calm and work through the possible causes - whether it’s a software issue, malware, overheating, or a hardware failure.
Start with basic solutions like restarting and updating, then move toward more advanced options like Safe Mode, diagnostic tools, or system reinstalls. Regular maintenance, backups, and healthy usage habits can go a long way in preventing such problems in the future. If your efforts don’t fix the issue, it might be time to get help from a certified technician before the problem gets worse.
FAQs
Q. How to fix a crashing Mac?
A. Restart your Mac, update macOS, close unused apps, check for malware, and run Disk Utility to fix drive issues. If needed, reset NVRAM or reinstall macOS.
Q. What do I do if my Mac computer is frozen?
A. Try pressing Command + Option + Esc to force quit a stuck app. If the whole system is frozen, hold the power button to force a shutdown, then restart.
Q. How to stop a PC from crashing and freezing?
A. Update Windows and drivers, run a virus scan, check for overheating, free up disk space, and close heavy apps. Use Safe Mode to find deeper issues.
Q. Why does my Mac keep freezing and crashing?
A. Common reasons include low disk space, outdated macOS, too many open apps, malware, or hardware issues like bad RAM or overheating.