How to fix Mac application not responding [Steps]

What is ‘Application not responding’ issue on Mac computer?

If you are experiencing ‘Mac application not responding’ issue while launching certain applications in your Mac computer, then you are in right-place for the solution. Here, you will be guided with easy steps/methods to resolve the issue. Let’s starts the discussion.

‘Mac application not responding’: It is common Mac PC problem considered application crashes/not responding issue. This issue indicates that you are unable to launch or run certain applications or any applications in your Mac computer and when you launch Mac Application, it won’t start up, or it never finishes launching. In sort, you are unable to use Mac application that you use regularly on Mac.

In such case, you can try to fix the issue by performing Force Quit the App and try again using the app and check if works for you. If the Mac Application still doesn’t work, you can follow our instructions to resolve the problem. The possible reason behind the ‘Mac application not responding’ issue can be corrupting in files relating to the applications you are trying to launch, corruption Mac’s system files, outdated application, causing conflict with another application installed in Mac, and required permissions or preferences of app may be damaged.

This issue can be occurred due to the interference of some other applications installed in your Mac. If the conflicting software is already running in your Mac computer and you are trying to launch specific application causing conflict issue, then you may receive error saying that you can’t use this application, you need to close background other application to use it. In such case, you can close background applications on Mac in order to fix the issue. Let’s go for the solution.

How to fix Mac application not responding issue?

Method 1: Restart your Mac

Sometimes, this issue can be occurred due to some temporary glitch in your Mac computer. You can fix temporary issue just by restart your Mac computer. After restart, retry launching the application that was causing issue, and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 2: Update the application

This issue can be occurred with the application you are trying to open, due to issue with program itself like program is corrupt or outdated. You can update the application that is causing error, to latest version in order to fix the issue. Once done, please check if updating the application resolves the issue.

Method 3: Delete the App Preferences file (plist file)

If PList file or Preference file of the application is causing error, is corrupt due to immediate shutdown or restart your computer unexpectedly or when app freezes or crashes, you can fix the issue by deleting the app preferences file.

Step 1: On Mac, go to ‘Finder > Library > Preferences’

Step 2: Find the PList in ‘com.developer_name.app_name.plist’ format

Step 3: Now, delete the Plist file that matches the app and once done, try launching the app that is causing error and check if the error is resolved.

Method 4: Start your Mac computer in Safe Mode

This issue can be occurred due to the interference of some other applications or conflicting software installed, or startup items on Mac. You can start your Mac in Safe Mode in order to fix the issues. Start Mac in Safe Mode limits the operating system to use only basic OS core and starts Mac with limited apps and startup items. So, you can start your Mac in Safe Mode and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 5: Repair app permissions

This issue can also be occurred due to required permissions not given to the application that is causing issue. You can correct the app’s permission or repair app permissions in order to fix the issue. This step ensures the application and any relating files it needs to have correct permission required to run. You can grant the required app permission in order to resolve the issue.

Method 6: Uninstall and reinstall the application

If the issue is still persist, then you can uninstall the application that is causing the problem from Mac computer completely. Once uninstalled, open ‘App Store’ to verify if the app is still available and uninstall it if available, and then reinstall it from App Store, once installed, launch the application and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 7: Contact App Developer

If the issue still persist and you are unable to access particular applications in your Mac, then you can contact the application developer via their official site, email address, or other contacts and ask them to resolve the issue. Hope your problem will be resolved.

Conclusion

I am sure this post helped you on How to fix Mac application not responding issue with several easy steps/methods. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.