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How to Force Shut Down or Restart a Frozen Mac Download Article An easy guide to forcing a Mac computer or laptop to shut down Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 Fact Checked
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Use the Power Button or Key
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Using a Keyboard Shortcut
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Troubleshooting Post-Restart Issues
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Video
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Q&A
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Tips
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Warnings
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene has been writing and editing tech content at wikiHow since 2019. She previously worked for AppleCare, served as a writing tutor, volunteered in IT at an animal rescue, and taught as an adjunct professor for EN101 and EN102. Darlene has completed Coursera courses on technology, writing, and language. She holds both a BA (2011) and an MA (2012) from Rowan University in Writing, with a focus on workplace communication. With her extensive experience, academic background, and ongoing learning, Darlene has become the go-to grammar expert for her friends and family, as well as a skilled wordsmith for anyone in need. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,133,020 times. Learn more...
Are you having trouble turning off your frozen Mac desktop or MacBook? If your Mac is unresponsive, you're seeing the spinning beachball cursor, and/or you can't use the keyboard and mouse, there are a few easy ways to force shut down your Mac. This wikiHow article will show you how to force your Mac to shut down, even if it won't respond to your input. Plus, we’ve included some troubleshooting tips in case your Mac still isn’t working when you restart it.
Doing a Force Shutdown on Mac
To force shut down your Mac, press and hold the Power button or key until the screen goes dark. Alternatively, try pressing "Ctrl + Opt + Cmd + Power" or "Ctrl + Cmd + Power."
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Use the Power Button or Key
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1 Close open programs first, if possible. If your Mac is not completely frozen, close any open apps before you force your computer to shut down. If you have open programs when you force your Mac to shut down, you could lose unsaved work. In some cases, force quitting may even corrupt open programs.
If you haven't already tried to shut down your Mac normally, you should do that first. Click the Apple menu and select Shut Down to do so.
If a program is hung, you can force quit it.
If you have any external devices connected to your Mac, such as a flash drive or external SSD, eject them first.
2 Find your Mac's Power button. If you can't shut down your Mac normally, you can turn it off using the power button or key.[1]XResearch source To find your Mac's power button:
'MacBook without Touch Bar:The Power key is in the top-right corner of the keyboard.
MacBook with Touch Bar: The Power button is the Touch ID section on the far-right side of the Touch Bar. It's actually a button that you can press, even though it doesn't look like it.
iMac: You'll find the Power button behind the lower-left side of the iMac's screen.
Mac Pro: It's on the top of the computer.
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3 Press and hold the Power button for at least 10 seconds. Continue holding down the power button or key until the screen goes black. Once the screen is dark, your Mac will turn off.[2]XResearch source
If you see a prompt asking you to confirm that you want to turn off your Mac, you didn't hold down the key for long enough.
4 Wait a minute before turning back on your Mac. This will allow your Mac to fully power down before you attempt to turn it back on.
A completely powered-off Mac will have a black screen. On some Mac computers and MacBooks, you won't be able to see the power light nor will you be able to hear any noise from the drives or the fan.[3]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Using a Keyboard Shortcut
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1 Press and Ctrl+⌥ Opt+⌘ Cmd+Power. Pressing these keys at the same time will attempt to safely close all open applications on your Mac before shutting it down.[4]XResearch source
If pressing this combination of keys doesn't shut down your Mac, proceed to the next step.
2 Press and hold Ctrl+⌘ Cmd+Power. This shortcut is similar to the last, except you're not using the Option key this time, and you'll be holding the keys down for a few extra seconds. Press and hold these keys for about 4-5 seconds before releasing them.[5]XResearch source This key combination will prompt your computer to turn off without safely closing apps and programs first.
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Troubleshooting Post-Restart Issues
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1 Start your Mac in Safe Mode. If your MacBook or desktop freezes again after a forced shut down, restart it and press ⇧ Shift as soon as it begins to turn back on, then release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo. Your computer will start in Safe Mode and attempt to repair issues with your disk.[6]XResearch source
Many applications will not work in Safe Mode. Use it for the next couple of steps, then restart it to return your computer to normal.
2 Disable open on startup. Safe Mode prevents programs from opening automatically on startup. To prevent a program from opening after a normal startup, follow these steps:
Open the Apple menu .
Click Users & Groups.
Select your user account in the left pane.
Click the Login Items tab.
Select the program causing the issue.
Click the - button below the list of programs.
3 Uninstall a problematic program. If you have a specific program that you know is causing your Mac to freeze, uninstalling it (and reinstalling it, if you like) will solve the problem:[7]XResearch source
Open Finder.
Click the Applications folder (or click the Go menu and click Applications in the resulting drop-down menu).
Find the program that keeps freezing.
Drag the program into the Trash.
4 Repair your disk. If your computer still has issues that don't seem tied to a specific program, follow these steps to repair your disk:[8]XResearch source
Restart your computer and hold down ⌘ Command + R as it starts up.
Click Disk Utility on the startup screen.
Click Continue.
Select your startup disk and click Repair Disk.
Wait for this to complete (it may take a while), then restart your computer.
5 Reset your SMC. The SMC, or System Management Controller, handles many of the physical components on your Mac. An issue with the SMC can prevent your power button from working properly, or cause general slowdowns. If none of the steps above solved your problem, reset the SMC:[9]XResearch source
Laptop with non-removable battery — Shut down your computer and plug it into a power source. Using the left side of the built-in keyboard, hold down ⇧ Shift + Control + ⌥ Option while pressing the "Power" button, then release all keys, and finally press the "Power" button again.
Laptop with removable battery — Shut down your computer. Unplug the power adapter and remove the battery, then hold down the "Power" button for five seconds. Release the "Power" button, reinsert the battery, and plug in your computer to a power source. Press the "Power" button.
Desktop — Shut down the iMac and unplug the power cord. Wait fifteen seconds, then plug it back in. Wait five seconds, then press the "Power" button.
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Community Q&A
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Question What do I do if I can't get my cursor to move? Community Answer Press and hold the power button on the computer for about five seconds until the lights go off and it stops making noise. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 11
Question On my new Macbook, the enter password area has a question mark sign. I've put in the password, but it says it's wrong. What do I do? Community Answer It looks like your Caps Lock is on. Try disabling it, then entering your password. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 6
Question My Macbook Pro retina has a vertical line on the screen. How can I remove it? Community Answer Unfortunately, there's really no way to fix this without replacing your display; your screen is damaged. If you're under warranty, you can take your computer to Apple Support for a replacement. (You can do this if you're not under warranty too, but a new display is around $700 and not particularly worth it, in my opinion.) Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
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Tips
If your cursor is a spinning beach ball, it's worth waiting a few minutes to see if your Mac finishes the task that's causing the problem. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
You can also pull the plug that's supplying power to your computer. If you have a laptop, remove the power supply (unplug it) and let the battery drain until it shuts off. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
You will lose unsaved data when you force your computer to shut down. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
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Written by: Darlene Antonelli, MA wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene has been writing and editing tech content at wikiHow since 2019. She previously worked for AppleCare, served as a writing tutor, volunteered in IT at an animal rescue, and taught as an adjunct professor for EN101 and EN102. Darlene has completed Coursera courses on technology, writing, and language. She holds both a BA (2011) and an MA (2012) from Rowan University in Writing, with a focus on workplace communication. With her extensive experience, academic background, and ongoing learning, Darlene has become the go-to grammar expert for her friends and family, as well as a skilled wordsmith for anyone in need. This article has been viewed 1,133,020 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 19Updated: June 25, 2025 Views: 1,133,020 Categories: Mac | System Maintenance and Repair In other languages Spanish Italian Portuguese Russian German French Indonesian Arabic Thai Vietnamese Chinese Korean Hindi Turkish Czech Japanese
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Reader Success Stories
Jim Kymionis
Jul 20, 2017
"My Mac was frozen and I could not control either the mouse or the keyboard. I did step 2, it shut down, and when I opened it, it worked well! Thanks, wikiHow."..." more Rated this article:
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Written by: Darlene Antonelli, MA wikiHow Technology Writer Click a star to vote Co-authors: 19Updated: June 25, 2025 Views: 1,133,020
Jim Kymionis
Jul 20, 2017
"My Mac was frozen and I could not control either the mouse or the keyboard. I did step 2, it shut down, and when I opened it, it worked well! Thanks, wikiHow."..." more Rated this article:
Anonymous
Sep 8, 2016
"iMac froze and referred to wikiHow (on another device), which very clearly showed me how to shut it down."
Arlene Stewart
Jun 17, 2016
"My MacBook web page started to jump and I could not shut down till I read your tips."
Anonymous
Mar 27, 2018
"My freaking Minecraft tab was frozen, so thank you." Rated this article:
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Download Article An easy guide to forcing a Mac computer or laptop to shut down Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA 
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Written by: Darlene Antonelli, MA wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene has been writing and editing tech content at wikiHow since 2019. She previously worked for AppleCare, served as a writing tutor, volunteered in IT at an animal rescue, and taught as an adjunct professor for EN101 and EN102. Darlene has completed Coursera courses on technology, writing, and language. She holds both a BA (2011) and an MA (2012) from Rowan University in Writing, with a focus on workplace communication. With her extensive experience, academic background, and ongoing learning, Darlene has become the go-to grammar expert for her friends and family, as well as a skilled wordsmith for anyone in need. This article has been viewed 1,133,020 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 19 Updated: June 25, 2025 Views: 1,133,020 Categories: Mac | System Maintenance and Repair In other languages Spanish Italian Portuguese Russian German French Indonesian Arabic Thai Vietnamese Chinese Korean Hindi Turkish Czech Japanese 
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1 Close open programs first, if possible. If your Mac is not completely frozen, close any open apps before you force your computer to shut down. If you have open programs when you force your Mac to shut down, you could lose unsaved work. In some cases, force quitting may even corrupt open programs. 
2 Find your Mac's Power button. If you can't shut down your Mac normally, you can turn it off using the power button or key.[1] To find your Mac's power button: 
3 Press and hold the Power button for at least 10 seconds. Continue holding down the power button or key until the screen goes black. Once the screen is dark, your Mac will turn off.[2] 
4 Wait a minute before turning back on your Mac. This will allow your Mac to fully power down before you attempt to turn it back on. 
1 Press and Ctrl+⌥ Opt+⌘ Cmd+Power. Pressing these keys at the same time will attempt to safely close all open applications on your Mac before shutting it down.[4] 
2 Press and hold Ctrl+⌘ Cmd+Power. This shortcut is similar to the last, except you're not using the Option key this time, and you'll be holding the keys down for a few extra seconds. Press and hold these keys for about 4-5 seconds before releasing them.[5] This key combination will prompt your computer to turn off without safely closing apps and programs first. Advertisement 
1 Start your Mac in Safe Mode. If your MacBook or desktop freezes again after a forced shut down, restart it and press ⇧ Shift as soon as it begins to turn back on, then release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo. Your computer will start in Safe Mode and attempt to repair issues with your disk.[6] 
2 Disable open on startup. Safe Mode prevents programs from opening automatically on startup. To prevent a program from opening after a normal startup, follow these steps: 
.
3 Uninstall a problematic program. If you have a specific program that you know is causing your Mac to freeze, uninstalling it (and reinstalling it, if you like) will solve the problem:[7] 
Finder.
4 Repair your disk. If your computer still has issues that don't seem tied to a specific program, follow these steps to repair your disk:[8] 
5 Reset your SMC. The SMC, or System Management Controller, handles many of the physical components on your Mac. An issue with the SMC can prevent your power button from working properly, or cause general slowdowns. If none of the steps above solved your problem, reset the SMC:[9] 
Community Answer Press and hold the power button on the computer for about five seconds until the lights go off and it stops making noise. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 11 
Community Answer It looks like your Caps Lock is on. Try disabling it, then entering your password. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 6 