How To Force Restart a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro

Last updated: June 20, 2020 9:38 AM

By GeeksModo Staff

1 Min Read

Force restarting a

is usually considered a last option, however, in case the worst happens and your machine becomes unresponsive, it’s the quickest way of restoring cernity to your device.
Before taking this extreme step though, make sure that you’ve explored all the available software troubleshooting options.

If it’s just an application that’s unresponsive instead of the operating system, hold down the Option (⌥) key then right-click the frozen app’s icon in the
Dock and select Force Quit.
In case the OS is unresponsive but the mouse cursor is still functioning, click the Apple () logo located at the upper left hand corner of the screen then select Restart. If not,
try holding down the Control (Ctrl) key and pressing the power button. If the system shutdown dialog shows up, choose Restart from the list of available options.

If you are using a MacBook that has physical function (F1–F12) keys, the power button is the key in the upper right corner of the keyboard (if it’s an older Mac with an optical
drive, this lso works as the Eject button).
Touch ID
button on a 2018 MacBook Air
If you are using a 2018 MacBook Air, the power button is the Touch ID button in the top-right corner of the keyboard, and if you are using a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar, it’s the
Touch ID surface on the right hand side of the Touch Bar.

How to Force Restart Your Mac

Press and hold down the Command (⌘) and Control (Ctrl) keys together with the power button (or the Touch ID / Eject button, depending on your Mac model) until
the screen turns blank and the machine restarts.

If your MacBook freezes every now and then and you’re uncertain what’s causing the problem, try restarting your Mac
in Apple Diagnostics mode
to find out if it’s a hardware problem.