Frozen MacBook Air

Install El Capitan or Later from Scratch

     If possible back up your files.

1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
2. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.
3. When Disk Utility loads select the volume (indented entry, usually Macintosh HD) from the Device list.
4. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
5. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
6. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
7. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
8. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.

OK. Then here's what you do:

Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk

     If possible back up your files before proceeding.

1. Restart the computer while holding down the (Command-Option-R) keys until a globe appears.
2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
4. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, the out-dented entry) from the side list.
5. Click on the Erase tab in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
10. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.

This will completely reformat the drive at which time you can provide a name for the volume like "Macintosh HD." The installer will also create a new Recovery HD. Be sure you have a solid Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet rather than Wi-Fi because it's more reliable and faster.

If you cannot format the SSD, then it has failed, and it will need to be replaced.