OS X was designed to prevent most application problems, crashes and freezes. However, these things do happen on occasion. Closing and restarting the problem application usually fixes the problem, but if multiple applications are acting out, you will need to log off and back in. Restarting your Mac shouldn’t be necessary. (Usually the only time you need to restart is after installing new software; the installer will let you know to restart.)

At times applications in OS X may freeze up. The cursor turns into what looks like a spinning pinwheel for several minutes or more. Instead of waiting to see if the program will correct itself, or if it can’t, you can “force quit” it. Please note that you will lose any unsaved changes in this application if you choose to “force quit.”

Follow the instructions below to “force quit” a problem application.

1. From the Apple menu, click Force Quit. (Or press Apple + Option + Escape on your keyboard.) This will display the Force Quit Application window.

   

2. Select the problem application (usually displays in red) from the list, and click the Force Quit button. The program should close shortly. When you open it again, it should be fine.