Computers · Repair guide

What to do when something froze

8 fixes, easiest first4 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Wait a minute first, then close the stuck app (Ctrl+Shift+Esc on Windows, Option-Command-Esc on Mac). If the whole device is stuck, force a restart: hold the power button on a computer, or use the button combo for your phone, and unplug a TV box for 10 seconds.

What it means

A frozen screen means the device or one app has stopped responding to clicks, taps or buttons. It is usually a temporary software hang, not a broken device. Every device has its own safe way to close a stuck app or force a restart, so pick your device below.

Common causes

  • One app has stopped responding
  • The device ran out of memory or free storage
  • An update, driver or new app with a bug
  • Overheating or a busy background task
  • A connected accessory or bad cable
  • Rarely, a hardware fault

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Give it a minute firstEasy

  1. Stop clicking or tapping and wait about a minute. Extra clicks can queue up and make things slower.
  2. Check whether a pop-up box is hiding behind the window; on Windows press Alt + Tab to switch between open windows.
  3. If a progress bar or update message is showing, let it finish rather than turning the device off.

Why it helps: Many freezes are a busy app catching up, and they clear on their own.

02If your Windows PC froze, close the app or restartEasy

  1. If the screen went blank or black, press Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B to wake it.
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. On the Processes tab, right-click the app that is stuck and select End task. Unsaved work in that app will be lost.
  3. If Task Manager won't open, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and choose Task Manager, or select the power icon to restart.
  4. If nothing responds at all, press and hold the power button until the PC turns off, wait a few seconds and turn it on again.

Why it helps: Ending the stuck app or restarting clears the hang without harming Windows.

03If your Mac froze, force quit or restartEasy

  1. Press Option-Command-Esc, select the app that isn't responding and click Force Quit.
  2. If the Finder is stuck, select Finder in that window and click Relaunch.
  3. If the whole Mac is stuck, choose Apple menu > Restart.
  4. If that doesn't work, press and hold the power button (or Touch ID) for up to 10 seconds until the Mac turns off, then press it once to turn it back on.

Why it helps: These are Apple's steps for an app or Mac that stops responding.

04If your iPhone froze, force restart itEasy

  1. If only one app is stuck, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause (or double-click the Home button), then swipe that app up to close it.
  2. iPhone 8 or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation or later): press and quickly release volume up, press and quickly release volume down, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
  3. iPhone 7: press and hold the volume down button and the side (Sleep/Wake) button together until the Apple logo appears.
  4. iPhone 6s or earlier, and iPhone SE (1st generation): press and hold the Home button and the side or top button together until the Apple logo appears.

Why it helps: A force restart doesn't erase anything and fixes most frozen iPhones.

05If your Android phone froze, force restart itEasy

  1. If the screen is stuck on, press and hold the power button for about 30 seconds until the phone restarts.
  2. On a Samsung Galaxy, press and hold the side key and the volume down key at the same time until the phone restarts.
  3. If one app keeps freezing, open Settings > Apps > See all apps, choose the app and tap Force stop.
  4. Make sure at least 10% of storage is free, and install updates from Settings > System > Software update. Menu names vary a little by phone maker.

Why it helps: A forced restart clears a hang without deleting anything on the phone.

06If your TV or streaming stick froze, restart itEasy

  1. Roku: if the remote still works, press Home and go to Settings > System > Power > System restart (some models have no Power menu, so choose System restart under System). If it doesn't respond, unplug the Roku's power cord for at least 10 seconds, then plug it back in.
  2. Fire TV: go to Settings > My Fire TV > Restart. If the menu won't respond, unplug the power cord or adapter, wait at least 3 seconds and plug it back in.
  3. Other smart TVs: use the restart or power-cycle steps on the TV maker's support site.

Why it helps: Cutting power fully resets a streaming device that ignores the remote.

07If a game console froze, force it offEasy

  1. Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite or Switch OLED: hold the POWER button for at least 20 seconds to force it off, then remove any game card or microSD card.
  2. Turn the Switch back on and install any update from System Settings > System > System Update.
  3. If a docked Switch freezes only on the TV, make sure you're using an official Nintendo dock.
  4. Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox or PlayStation: follow the steps for your model on Nintendo Support, Xbox Support or PlayStation Support.

Why it helps: A forced power-off clears the freeze, and a system update fixes known bugs.

08If it keeps freezing, find the causeMedium

  1. Install all system and app updates on the device.
  2. Free up storage space: computers and phones slow down and hang when they are nearly full.
  3. Unplug accessories you added recently and see if the freezing stops.
  4. Remove apps installed just before the freezing began.
  5. Use the full guide for your device in the related links below.

Why it helps: Repeat freezes almost always have a cause you can find and fix.

Check it's fixed

  • The screen responds normally to clicks, taps or the remote.
  • The app that froze opens and works again.
  • The device runs for a few days without freezing again.

When to get help

If a device freezes every day even after updates and freeing space, or won't turn on after a forced restart, contact the device maker's support or a repair shop. Back up your files first if you can.

Questions

Is it safe to hold the power button when something froze?

Yes, when nothing else works. You will lose anything you hadn't saved, but it doesn't harm the device. Don't do it while an update is installing unless it has been stuck for hours.

Will a force restart delete my photos or files?

No. A force restart on a phone, computer or streaming device only closes what was running. Only a factory reset or erase deletes your data.

Why does my computer freeze but the mouse still moves?

Usually one app or Windows itself is busy. Try Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows or Option-Command-Esc on Mac to close the stuck app.

What's the difference between frozen and crashed?

A frozen device or app is still open but won't respond. A crashed app closes by itself or shows an error screen. The fixes overlap, starting with a restart.

Related fixes

How to fix a computer that keeps freezingRestart the PC, install all Windows updates, then open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and close or uninstall whatever is using the mosHow to fix a program that is not respondingWait a minute, then press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, right-click the stuck program on the Processes tab and select End task. OHow to unfreeze an iPhoneOn iPhone 8 or later: press and quickly release volume up, press and quickly release volume down, then press and hold the side button until How to stop the spinning wheel on a MacPress Option-Command-Esc, select the app that isn't responding and click Force Quit. If the wheel keeps coming back, restart the Mac, fHow to fix a Roku that's not workingUnplug the Roku's power cord for at least 10 seconds, then plug it back in. If the remote works, you can instead go to Settings > Sy

Still stuck?

Paste the exact message to find the closest fix, or search it on Google, Microsoft, Apple, Reddit and YouTube.

Sources