Macbook pro applcations keep freezing

Question

Level 1

8 points

Macbook pro applcations keep freezing

The apps on my 2018 Macbook Pro (like Safari or iTunes) have been failing to open while I'm working on another app. Restarting my computer solves the problem, and the apps will then open; but it happens again later in the day. I still have around 30 GB of storage left, and when I run Disk repair, it says "disk repair complete" with no indication of anything being untoward. How do I fix this recurring problem? I have even done a disk repair from safe mode. I have Sierra (10.12.6), and I would prefer not to upgrade my system because certain 3rd party apps like Photoshop may not transfer to a new system.

Posted on Jan 22, 2023 9:01 AM

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Answer 1

Jmanna13

Community Specialist

Jan 24, 2023 1:11 PM in response to 9766parb

Hello 9766parb,

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities. We see you have some questions about your applications on your Mac freezing, and we'd like to help. The following link may be able to help, as it walks through what to do if you notice applications not working as expected on your Mac: If an app freezes or quits unexpectedly on Mac

•If an app doesn’t quit as expected, or it’s unresponsive, you can force quit the app (you may lose unsaved changes). Choose Apple menu > Force Quit, select the app in the dialog that appears, then click Force Quit.

•If the app quit, reopen it by clicking Reopen in the dialog that appears.

•Restart your Mac by choosing Apple menu > Restart.

•Make sure the app is compatible with your version of macOS.

•Open another file in the app. There may be a problem with the original file.

•Check for updates to your software.

•Disconnect any peripheral devices you just connected (for example, a printer). They may not be compatible with your version of macOS.

•Uninstall any app plug-ins or enhancements from other manufacturers.

•If you recently updated the app or macOS, a plug-in or enhancement you installed may no longer be compatible.

•Diagnose problems with your Mac to learn whether hardware you installed, such as additional memory, is incompatible, improperly installed, or defective.

Let us know if this helps.

Regards.

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Answer 2

judysings

Community Specialist

Jan 24, 2023 5:18 PM in response to 9766parb

Good afternoon 9766parb,

Thanks for the update regarding your MacBook Pro. If you have not already done so, please make sure you have a Time Machine backup of your Mac. Feel free to reach out to Apple if the issue arises again.

Back up your Mac with Time Machine

Take care.

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Answer 3

9766parb Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 24, 2023 3:10 PM in response to Jmanna13

I have read this and other related links. This is not one app freezing, but the whole computer. I'll be working in Firefox, then click on iTunes or Safari or any app, and it does not respond. A dialogue box appears saying "The application Safari cannot be opened." Then the whole computer is unresponsive. I can always fix the problem by restarting the computer, but then the problem recurs later that day or the next day. I don't want to upgrade from Sierra because my older versions of Photoshop and Office won't likely work in a new system. I decided to buy a year of "CleanMyMacX," and after running it on my Macbook Pro, I have had no freezes so far. However, if the problem happens again, I will probably just take it into a Apple genius bar to see if it is a hardware problem.

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Answer 4

9766parb Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 25, 2023 6:49 AM in response to judysings

I did back up the computer with Time Machine, just in case I have to take it to the genius bar. So far, the running of CleanMyMac has temporarily solved the recurrence of the freezing. If The freezing returns, and I have to pay for a repair or buy a new Mac, I'll have the backup ready; though I fear that the 3rd party apps that I use the most won't work on an upgrade of the system.

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Answer 5

9766parb Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 25, 2023 10:05 AM in response to alma1090

I would only go to the Apple Store if the problem returned. True, reinstalling MacOS Sierra to preserve the 3rd party apps on my backup might solve the problem, but if it doesn't, which is likely, I have wasted a lot of time; and if I were going to install a newer system I'd probably prefer to take it to the Apple Store to see if that installation alone will solve the problem, or if it is a hardware problem that I cannot fix on my own.

Honestly, I think that the running of CleanMyMac may have worked. For two days I have been using my computer a lot, and the problem has not returned.

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Answer 6

alma1090

Community Specialist

Jan 25, 2023 8:53 AM in response to 9766parb

Hey there 9766parb,

Since you've created a backup, you can try reinstalling macOS to save you a trip to the Apple Store:

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

Regards.

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