As Mac OS X users, we have something to be happy about when it comes to app crashes and freezes: rarity. Typically you can work on your Mac for hours at a time without a single issue. However, a crashing app certainly can happen, leading to lost productivity, time and, worst of all, lost work. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to recover from a crashed app, as well as prevent the issue in the first place.
- May 27, 2018 Onedrive app keeps closing unexpectedly - it isn't crashing. I am running the Onedrive app, although the Onedrive forum has been locked. It is basically as if I have just closed it. But it does it itself. It means I can't upload or synch properly. I first thought it was some energy saving setting, turning it off.
- Oct 24, 2017 To stop apps opening on startup on Mac: Highlight an app in the Login Items list. Select the minus ‘-‘ underneath the center pane. Repeat for all non-essential apps. You will obviously not want to disable all Login Items as some of them are essential. You will want to keep any third-party security apps, VPN apps and apps that you use all.
How to fix a crashing app after the macOS upgrade
By default, when you reopen an app, any windows that were open when you quit the app reopen. If you prefer, you can have windows close when you quit apps. On your Mac, choose Apple menu System Preferences, then click General. Open General preferences for me. Select “Close windows when quitting an app.”. If you’ve got an app that’s opening every time you restart your Mac, how do you stop it? After all, it’s pretty frustrating to have to deal with your computer taking forever to reboot just because it feels the need to open 47 programs when you log back in. To fix that, then, let’s cover using what are called login items to stop programs from launching automatically on the Mac.
App crashes after the the macOS update is more than a common problem. Some apps freeze or malfunction, some won’t launch, some show no signs of life whatsoever. Why it happens? The most probable reason is that the app is simply not ready for the latest macOS Catalina. Something in its depth turned out to be incompatible with the new macOS.
Now, what can you do to fix an app crashing? Three things.
- First, see if you have the latest version of the app by clicking on its name it the top menu and choosing Check for updates.
- Second, visit developer’s website (or App Store page) and see if they’ve issued a statement about Catalina compatibility.
- Finally, some crashed apps on macOS Catalina can be fixed by running maintenance scripts. Download CleanMyMac X, launch it, find Maintenance tab and run the scripts.
What happens when an app craches: under the hood
Now let's go deeper into the nature of crashed apps, but first, let’s identify the difference between a crashed macOS app and a frozen one. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a notable difference.
Crash
A crash happens when a piece of software stops working altogether, and then closes on its own. In other words, the app quits when you did not tell it to. When this happens, you'll typically see a message noting that the application has 'unexpectedly quit” just as its windows disappears. It’s pretty frustrating — especially if you end up losing all your work.
Freeze
A freeze is when software stops functioning, but continues to run. You can still see its windows, and its Dock icon still indicates that it’s running. However, no amount of clicking or tabbing around will do anything. A frozen app doesn’t quit like a crashed app does, it simply becomes unresponsive. Often no error messages accompany the freeze. Again, it’s a frustrating experience (if you want to know how to deal with it, check out this post on how to fix frozen apps).
When software freezes, you force it to quit, so that you can re-launch and hopefully get on with your work. With crashes, meanwhile, the problem is the app quitting on its own. In this article, I’ll discuss recovering from app crashes, as well as steps that help prevent them in the first place. Let’s get started.
What to do when a Mac OS X app crashes
The good news here is that a crashed app rarely brings down your entire Mac, as the trouble is restricted to that particular piece of software. That means we have a chance to recover. Let’s start with the simplest solutions.
First, just relaunch the app. When an app crashes, you’ll typically see a dialog box that says the software “unexpectedly quit” and you’ll have several options to deal with it, including “Relaunch”. Give that a click and cross your fingers that the crash doesn’t happen again. Oftentimes, you’re good from there. If not…
Try restarting your Mac. “Turn if off and back on again” is almost a punchline at this point, but it usually works. Shut down, restart and try again. Very often this simple task will set things right. If not, it’s time to try something just a little more involved.
Reinstall the app. Deleting the misbehaving app and grabbing a new copy gives you a fresh version to work with. That is, if you delete all of the app’s related files.
See, when you drag an app to the Trash, you aren’t deleting everything. Some leftover parts remain, and if the troublemaker is among them, your problem could persist. It’s a waste of time to delete an app via drag-and-drop, reinstall and then have it crash again. To make things right, you need to get rid of the app’s bits and pieces before you reinstall it, and this is where software like CleanMyMac X comes in handy.
An app that’s simply dragged to the Trash leaves behind a pile of associated files that you don’t see, like caches, preferences (often the culprit in crash-y apps), saved states, and more. You might not even know they’re there, but CleanMyMac X does. It’s smart enough to find the whole lot, safely remove them, and ensure that a newly installed app is just that: a complete fresh start.
In fact, you don’t even have to launch CleanMyMac X to thoroughly and safely delete an app. Simply right-click (or Control-click) the app’s icon and select “Uninstall with CleanMyMac” from Services in the resulting contextual menu. Easy!
Another wise move is to make sure there are no conflicts between the app and the Mac OS. When Apple pushes an update of its operating system to your Mac, that might interfere with your app’s performance, if the app or its add-ons are incompatible with this particular OS X version.
CleanMyMac can help you out here, too. Download it for free, go to its Uninstaller module and find the misbehaving app in the list. If you see a note that this app is incompatible with your system, it means you need to update the app, because your current version doesn’t work on the latest OS X.
How can you stay on top of aging apps? Apple makes it easy with software purchased through the Mac App Store. Simply launch the App Store app, go to the Updates tab, and you’ll see all available app updates. Find the one you need in the list, click the Update button, and you’ll get the latest version to your Mac. It’s a bit different with software acquired outside the App Store: you’ll have to visit the vendor’s website to see if there’s a new version available.
If nothing indicates that the troublemaker app is incompatible with your system, the problem could be with its add-ons or preferences. What you can do in this case is reset the app to its initial state. Again, go to the Uninstaller module in CleanMyMac X, select your app, and click Application Reset. CleanMyMac will make that app just the way it was when you first installed it.
What to do when an app crashes at launch
So far I’ve addressed what to do when an app crashes as you’re using it. But what about the frustrating scenario of an app going down as soon as you launch it? No warning, no dialog box, just a bounce or two in the Dock and that’s it. In this case, it’s time to repair disk permissions.
What’s does fixing permissions actually mean? Think of your Mac’s hard drive as a tree with many branches. The top level of your drive is the tree’s trunk, and the branches represent information about files and folders. These branches, or “nodes,” store information like the location of data and permission rules, among other things. Normal computer use changes this information, and can lead to a conflict or other issue that generates crashes and the inability to use your system. This is what a permission fix addresses.
To repair disk permissions (for OS X prior to El Captian), go to the Utilities in your Mac’s Applications folder and launch Disk Utility. Next, click First Aid. It’ll ask for confirmation and get to work, comparing existing permission files with defaults to find any conflicts.
Or, if you want a slightly simpler way, you can fix the permissions with CleanMyMac X Maintenance Scripts. Just open the Maintenance tab, hit Choose Tasks and then Repair Disk Permissions. This helps resolve improper app behavior like crashing and keeps all of your disk’s files and folders in proper order. And that’s just one of the maintenance tasks available in CleanMyMac X, just try it.
A crashing app is no fun. Fortunately, a little understanding and proactive behavior can keep them to a minimum. CleanMyMac X makes it easy to do just that. Happy computing, and may your apps never crash again!
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Make your Mac fast and secure with CleanMyMac X.
We’ve been taught that Apple devices are a standard of reliability. If you want a stable computer, you get a Mac. If you want a phone that can handle hours of unbreakable connection, you get an iPhone. There’s some truth to it, but it would be wrong to think Apple devices are invincible. If you’ve ever experienced random Mac shutdowns, you know for sure Apple experience is not always flawless.
Worst of all, shutdowns might happen while you’re working on something important. This results in unsaved documents and your work being seriously delayed. In this article, we’ve collected all fixes you’ll ever need if your Mac starts shutting down. It also includes the guide to fixing a 13-inch MacBook Pro misbehavior.
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Troubleshooting random Mac shutdowns
Restarting your Mac is always the first idea that should come to mind. And sometimes, it really helps. Even though your Mac is technically shut down, restart Mac once again — the proper way. This will kill the background processes, ensuring your Mac has a healthy startup.
Once you power up your Mac after a shutdown, press Command + Alt + Esc to force quit background apps and then put your Mac to sleep, restart, or shut down from the Apple menu.
Unfortunately, this will hardly prevent your computer from shutting down again. If your computer keeps shutting down, consider SMC and PRAM resetting.
Reset the SMC
The SMC (System Management Controller) is responsible for battery and thermal management as well as any processes related to closing and opening your MacBook lid and pressing the power button. Clearly, it might be a part of the shutdown problem.
There are some differences on how to reset the SMC, depending on the type of computer you own. Pick your device from the list below and try it out.
![Mac app store Mac app store](/uploads/1/2/6/3/126335406/316874480.jpg)
MacBooks with removable or nonremovable battery
Reset the SMC on Mac laptops with removable battery:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Remove the battery (if you don’t want to do it yourself, go to the nearest Apple Service Center or Apple Retail Store).
- Press and hold the power button for a few seconds.
- Reinstall the battery and turn on your computer.
Reset the SMC on Mac laptops with nonremovable battery:
- Shut down your Mac from the Apple menu.
- Hold Shift + Control + Option + the Power button (or Touch ID button) for about 10 seconds.
- Release the keys and turn on your computer.
Mac desktop computers
Here’s how to reset the SMC if you’re an owner of iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, or Xserve. Note that this method works only for desktop computers without the Apple T2 Security Chip.
- Shut down your Mac from the Apple menu.
- Unplug the power cord and wait for about 15 seconds.
- Plug the power cord back in and wait for about another 5 seconds.
- Turn on your computer.
Computers that have the Apple T2 Security Chip
Here’s the complete list of Macs with the Apple T2 Security Chip:
- iMac Pro
- Mac Pro (2019)
- Mac mini (2018)
- MacBook Air (2018 or later)
- MacBook Pro (2018 or later).
You can also find out whether your computer has the T2 Security Chip by holding Option > Apple Menu > System Information. From there, navigate to Controller or iBridge in the sidebar. You’ll find the answer under “Model Name.”
Here’s how to reset SMC if your computer has the T2 Chip:
- Shut down your Mac from the Apple menu.
- Hold the power button for about 10 seconds.
- Release the power button and wait for a few seconds before turning on your Mac.
If it didn’t work, try shutting down your Mac and then unplug the power cord. Wait for about 15 seconds, plug the power cord back in, and turn on your computer.
Here’s how to reset SMC if your computer doesn’t have the T2 Chip:
![Store Store](/uploads/1/2/6/3/126335406/531275128.png)
The traditional reset method for Macs without the T2 Chip is identical to the one described above. However, if it doesn’t eliminate the problem, you might need to try this one:
- Shut down your Mac from the Apple menu.
- Press and hold the right Shift key + the left Option key + the left Control key for about 7 seconds.
- Once the Apple logo appears on your screen, continue holding Shift, Option, and Control + the Power button for another 7 seconds.
- Wait for your Mac to turn off and release the buttons.
- Turn on the computer again.
Reset the PRAM
PRAM, or Parameter RAM, is another part of your computer that might be responsible for misbehavior. It stores lots of minor preferences — including those related to the startup disk. Resetting PRAM might be a good way to prevent shutdowns:
- Shut down your Mac from the Apple Menu.
- Press the Power button and hold Command + Shift + P + R.
- Release the keys once you see the Apple logo for the second time, hear the second startup time, or after 20 seconds.
After resetting PRAM, you might need to go to the System Preferences and adjust some of your settings — including volume and display resolution.
Update your macOS
There’s always less likelihood your Mac will be shutting down if you keep the macOS up-to-date. Unless you use 32-bit apps that are unsupported on macOS Catalina, we recommend to upgrade your Mac. You can check for any pending updates in Apple Menu > About This Mac > Software Update.
How to fix 13-inch MacBook Pro shutting down
If you have a Mac Pro with a Touch Bar instead of function keys, there’s a dedicated troubleshooting method for your device. While Apple hasn’t launched the hardware replacement program for this device yet, it’s important you make note of the following:
- Discharge your MacBook Pro battery to 90% and below.
- Close all open applications.
- Connect the charger and switch to the Sleep Mode.
- Close the lid and let your Mac Pro charge for about 8 hours.
- Turn on your computer and update it to the latest macOS version.
If MacBook keeps restarting
Another issue is your Mac getting into the loop of constant restarting. It might be impossible to trace the reason for such restarts, so make sure you know all the fixes. But before taking any further steps, create a bootable back up of your disk with Get Backup Pro to keep everything you store on your Mac protected.
Disconnect peripheral devices
Make sure no external devices such as hard drives or printers are connected to your Mac. If it’s a desktop computer, you might leave a keyboard, mouse, and a display connected — but nothing beyond that. Turn on your Mac and continue working as usual.
Update software
Quite often, outdated software might cause restarting. Here are a few tips on how to deal with it:
- Update apps if you have any software updates pending.
- If there’s a particular app causing the problem, contact the developers to help you solve it, or remove the app from Mac.
- Reinstall third-party apps.
Reinstall macOS
If you’ve exhausted all the update attempts, your next step would be to reinstall macOS from Recovery. You’ll need to erase your startup disk first, but with the data backed up, there’s no need to worry. You can check the instructions on how to reinstall macOS on the Apple Support page.
Keep your Mac healthy and avoid the trouble
Mac Keeps On Closing Apps Download
In many cases, random shutdowns have their symptoms: Your computer starts slowing down, the fans run at full speed and make loud noise, the apps go unresponsive. The other times, there’s no sign. Nothing. So it’s better to keep your Mac performance controlled so that you be warned whenever something goes wrong.
Tidy up your Mac with CleanMyMac X
CleanMyMac X is a cleaning utility for Mac that makes your machine tidier and therefore faster and stronger. It eliminates all the clutter from your hard drive and operating system in one scan.
Cluttered Mac is generally slower. If there are heaps of apps that haven’t been updated on your Mac, it can also shut down unexpectedly. This is where CMMX comes to help. From old caches to duplicates, CleanMyMac X wipes away everything that might be hampering your progress. The app will tell you about malware threats and let you know if there are any particularly large files you haven’t attended to.
Prevent future Mac shutdowns
Get iStat Menus to stay in the know about your Mac’s health. So that you never even get close to fixing a shutdown.
Monitor Mac’s health with iStat Menus
Your Mac will give you a hint when it’s not doing well if you have iStat Menus. The app adds tons of Mac health indicators to your menu bar. You’ll be able to control free disk space, instantly see what apps are draining your Mac’s battery, and view active processes. It’s the best way to ensure your computer never even starts misbehaving.
Create bootable backups with Get Backup Pro
We couldn’t emphasize this more: Before running any diagnostics or reset on your Mac, create a bootable backup of your disk. If you accidentally or purposefully delete anything, you’ll be able to get it all back with Get Backup Pro.
While all three utilities mentioned above are pretty pricey if you buy them separately, we recommend to use them via Setapp. It has all of these, plus around 160 other useful Mac utilities for a monthly subscription price starting at $9.99.
Iphone Apps On Mac
If your computer keeps shutting down
Take it to the nearest Apple Service Center. If you’ve tried to force shutdown Mac, reset SMC/PRAM, and update your macOS, but your Mac continues acting naughty, you’ll need to get service for your Mac. Most likely, it will be wiped — so prepare a backup in advance. Anyway, we wish you a long-living Mac and a productive work routine!