Restart when mouse cursor is frozen

Hey coxorange,

I understand your mouse cursor won't move so you can't respond to a dialog box for a restart.

As the Restart option in the dialog is not highlighted, pressing Return won't help (as you probably know).

You may be able to use Mouse Keys to move the cursor over and respond to the dialog.

OS X Yosemite: Control the pointer using Mouse Keys

To quickly turn Mouse Keys on or off, press Option-Command-F5, then select or deselect the Enable Mouse Keys checkbox. You can also select or deselect the checkbox in the Mouse & Trackpad pane of Accessibility preferences.

To open the pane, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Mouse & Trackpad.

The following illustration shows the keys to use on a keyboard (the keys on the left) and on a numeric keypad (the keys on the right) when Mouse Keys is on.

Move the mouse pointer:

With a numeric keypad: Use the 7, 8, 9, 4, 6, 1, 2, 3 keys on the keypad.

With the keyboard: Use the 7, 8, 9, U, O, J, K, L keys.

Click a mouse button:

With a numeric keypad: Press 5 on the keypad.

With the keyboard: Press I.

Note you can use the tab key to move between options and space bar to click.

If that doesn't work for you, you may need to force shutdown.

Mac keyboard shortcuts - Apple Support

Shortcut Description

Power button Hold for 5 seconds to force your Mac to turn off.

Best regards.

Hi coxorange,

Thanks for trying.

It sounds like the force shutdown is your option then.

Take care.