Force Quit Not Working on Mac – (6 FIXES)

Last Updated on Aug 30, 2023

The Apple macOS is an excellent Operating System, but it’s not a stable one. When the app is crashing randomly, an app may freeze or hang, the app not responding, Uninstall app on Mac showing error The item can’t be moved to the bin because it’s open, etc. in such a situation, we have only one solution that is to force quit the application. But what if the force quit not working? At that moment we are helpless and can’t do anything. Fortunately, every problem has its own unique solution, and so we would like to share how to fix force quit not working on mac in a very most straightforward way.

In simple English, sometimes force quit won’t work cause option + command + Esc these three keys need to press together. In case, one of key/switch not working, then Force Quit doesn’t work using the physical keyboard. Don’t worry, I’ll share an alternative solution for you that is mentioned below.

There are only three ways to resolve this weird issue. Let’s begin!

How do I force quit my Mac when it won’t force quit?

At first, you can go with the regular way that you are usually doing to force close App on your Apple Mac using the Activity Monitor tool. How to Force Quit on Mac keyboard?

Method 1: Force quit using Activity Monitor

1. Launch “Activity Monitor” using Spotlight Search.
2. Click “CPU” tab.
3. Navigate the Application which isn’t responding and choose it.
4. On the top left in the “Activity Monitor,” click on “Close.”

5. When you see a dialog box asking you, “Are you sure you want to quit this process?” then hit on “Force Quit.”

The application must be closed instantly; if not, then try the method below. Next way is you can force quit App via terminal by entering command! Let’s dive.

Method 2: Force Quite all apps on Mac using Shortcuts app Mac

Without Keyboard, Run this Force Close app shortcut on Mac running on MacOS Monterey or later macOS. Just in a Single click Force close all the apps at once. Watch the below video,

Method 3: Force quit via Terminal

This method very successfully works and hmm we got tons of thanks!

Step #1: Launch the Spotlight search panel and open “Terminal” from there.
Step #2: Type command ps –ax and then Enter.

Step #3: You can view all the running processes that are running currently like given in the screenshot. Find the App which is misbehaving and note down the PID (Process ID) number. You can get PID number via The left part of the window is PID number.

Or (Search App and Find ID)

Step #4: Now, type new command,

Kill<enter PID number>

For instance, the PID number of Skype is 1973; then the command will look like kill 1973 and hit the return key.

Once you hit enter, the app will force close. That’s it!

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in case, if not then try the alternative command,

Kill -9<enter PID number>

It will look like “kill -9 1973.”

This will terminate Skype Video chat App instantly.

If you’re rare or can’t find App PID number, then the final way is Force Restart your Apple Mac mentioned below.

Method 4: Hard Restart your Mac

Our last suggestion is to turn off the Mac directly, not by shutting down Because of it will wait until the app responds. So we will directly unplug the power cable of the Mac and if you have MacBook Pro or MacBook Air then press and hold the Power button.

Now give some time to Mac so that the processor gets cool down and work properly when you start again. Now all set with your Mac then, it is not harmful to the idea to reset NVRAM of the Mac when the Mac starts.

Tips:

• Still, the application is not responding then contact the developer of the particular app if it is downloaded from the third party.
• Alternatively, if the App is developed by the Apple itself then contact for Apple support.

Method 5: Try Safe Mode on Mac:-

Safe mode on Mac determine the software issue caused by app running on Mac on startup. Safe mode fix the app issue automatically and helps to find the issue with macOS or Installed app.

If your Mac is running fine in safe mode then Quickly check outdated app to update and Re-install app or Reinstall MacOS to fix software bug.

Otherwsie you can contact Mac app developer if your found problem with install app on Mac.

Method 6: Uninstall Mac App Complately and Re-Install App

Uninstall app might be delete App Data folder from Mac complately, so i recomment to take backup if you don’t do. here’s ways to uninstall Mac app.

Method 7: Reinstall MacOS:-

reinstall macOS On Mac in very easy and simple, put your Mac in to recovery mode and Reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery window on Intel or M1 Mac.

Reinstallation will not remove your Mac data, this process only install new copy of macOS from internet and will install.

Here’s the trick to Find Legacy App on your Mac