Excited about the latest macOS update, Sonoma, promising a smoother Mac experience, only to have your Mac freeze and crash randomly, disrupting your workflow and causing frustration? Don't worry; you're not alone. Numerous users have encountered similar issues after upgrading to macOS Sonoma.

This article will explain the issue of macOS Sonoma freezing and crashing and provide comprehensive solutions to alleviate the trouble. We understand how crucial your Mac is for work, leisure, and daily tasks, which is why we've compiled 7 effective repair methods to get it back on track.

Also, in case you lost crucial data due to macOS Sonoma freezing and crashing, we'll introduce you to an effective Sonoma data recovery software to get it back. Stay tuned and take back control of your Mac for the ultimate Sonoma experience.

Why Is macOS Sonoma Freezing and Crashing?

The shift to macOS Sonoma brought a suite of new features and improvements, but it also introduced a series of potential issues (macOS Sonoma problems) that users have reported, with their Macs freezing and crashing. Let's delve into the root causes of these disruptions:

Compatibility issues: Some apps or drivers might not be compatible with the latest macOS version, causing conflicts and instability in the system.

❌ Software Glitches: Any operating system is prone to software glitches and issues when it's first released. macOS Sonoma is no exception, and it came with its fair share of problems causing system freezes and crashes.

Warning: Insufficient hardware resources: If your Mac lacks the hardware resources needed for macOS Sonoma, you might experience performance issues, such as sluggishness.

Third-party apps: Some third-party apps or tools might not have been updated for Sonoma, causing conflicts and failures. This could lead to app crashes, such as Excel crashing on your Mac.

Corrupted system files: Over time, system files can become damaged or corrupted, leading to abnormal behavior from the system, including freezing.

Hardware issues: In some cases, hardware problems like aging RAM, a failing hard drive, or overheating components can cause freezing or crashes.

Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers for hardware components can cause system instability, particularly if they are crucial to system functionality.

Understanding these possible causes is crucial for diagnosing and resolving macOS Sonoma freezing and crashing issues. In the following sections, we will present practical solutions to help you restore stability and performance to your Mac.

How to Fix macOS Sonoma Freezing and Crashing Issues

After identifying the reasons behind your Mac freezing and crashing in macOS Sonoma, it's time to look at practical ways to get your system back on track. We've compiled a list of solutions targeting these possible causes.

Fix 1: Check macOS Sonoma Compatibility

It's a good idea to start with basic checks before diving into advanced troubleshooting. Ensure that the software and drivers you have installed are compatible with macOS Sonoma. If they're not, you can update or replace these software components to address compatibility issues.

Step 1: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.

Step 2: Open the System Information window from the About This Mac menu.

Click the Apple menu and then choose "About This Mac."

Step 3: In the Overview tab, check under Software to see what version of macOS you're running. Make sure it's Sonoma (macOS 14).

Step 4. Check with the manufacturer of your installed programs and devices for Sonoma compatibility updates on their Web sites.

Fix 2: Update your Mac

A macOS update typically includes bug fixes and performance improvements. Installing the latest Apple software updates can resolve known issues that might cause your Mac to crash or freeze.

Here are the steps to update your Mac: Update your Mac.

Step 1: Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.

Step 2: Tap General, then Software Update.

Open Software Update

If an update is available, click “Update Now.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

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Solution 3: Update frozen apps

If an app is causing problems, check the App Store or the developer's website for updates, which are periodically issued to fix known issues and improve stability.

Step 1: Open the Mac App Store.

Step 2: Go to the "Updates" tab in the App Store. If there are any available app updates, tap "Update All."

Click “Update All.” This button is in the bottom-right corner of the window. It will begin updating all of your apps.

Are apps freezing on your MacOS Sonoma? Don't worry if your Mac is experiencing this issue! This article will guide you through resolving it. Keep reading!

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Fix 4: Use Disk Utility's First Aid to Repair Disk Errors

Disk problems can cause instability. Running First Aid in Disk Utility might find and repair disk-related issues that could be causing freezes and crashes.

Step 1: Open the Finder.

< b > Step 2 < /b >: Go to the “Applications” folder.

Step 3: Click on “Tools,” and then double-click “Disk Utility.”

Open Disk Utility

Step 4: In the Disk Utility sidebar, select your Mac's built-in drive.

Step 5: Click the “First Aid” button at the top.

Run First Aid

Step 6: Click on the “Run” button to begin scanning and repairing your hard drive.

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Fix 5: Free up space on your Mac

Has your macOS become sluggish after an update? Often, a lack of hard drive space is to blame. This update focuses on optimizing your Mac's storage to help it run more smoothly. We'll walk you through some key steps to free up your Mac's storage and keep it running well.

  • Empty the Trash: Start by emptying your Mac's Trash. These files can take up more space than you'd think.
  • Delete unnecessary files: Get rid of files you no longer need. Remove outdated downloads, duplicate images, or extra documents.
  • Uninstall unused apps: Check your apps and uninstall any software you no longer use.
  • Clean system junk: Over time, macOS can accumulate system junk. You can use built-in tools or third-party apps to clean this up.

You should know how to permanently delete files on Mac to free up Mac storage. Now for the fun part. It's easy to accidentally delete important files in the process of cleaning, which is where a Mac Data Recovery Wizard tool comes in handy.

In case of data loss during this process, the software can help you recover important files. It ensures that your data, whether it's images, documents, or movies, is safely restored. Here are the steps to recover permanently deleted files on Mac:

Step 1: Search for the Lost File

Select the disk location where you lost your files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device) – the tool works on macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and the latest Sonoma. Click on the “Search Lost Files” button.

Note: Before you proceed with data recovery, it's recommended that you click “Disk Backup” on the left sidebar and create a backup for your Mac to prevent further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from the Mac backup, and your computer will be ready to write new data.

Recover Data Step 1

Step 2: Check the scan results

Launch Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, and the utility will immediately scan the disk volume you've chosen and display the scanning results.

Recover Data Step 2

Step 3: Select the files and recover them

From the scan results, select the files you want to preview and then hit the “Recover” button to get them back.

Recover Data Step 3

Solution 6: Restart your Mac in Safe Mode

Starting your Mac in Safe Mode can help diagnose and resolve issues caused by third-party software or extensions. It's especially helpful to restart and boot into Safe Mode to determine if System Extensions are causing your macOS Monterey freezing problem.

The steps to enter Safe Mode differ depending on whether you have an Apple Silicon Mac or one with an Intel processor.

For Apple Silicon:

Step 1: Turn off your Mac, then press and hold the power button until you see the “Loading Startup Options” message on the screen.

Step 2: When the options appear, select your boot drive and hold down the “Shift” key.

Step 3: Select “Continue in Safe Mode.” Your Mac will restart, and you'll see “Safe Boot” in the menu bar.

Enter Safe Mode

For Macs with Apple silicon:

Step 1: Turn off your Mac.

Step 2: Hold down the “Shift” key and the power button at the same time.

Step 3: Release the “Shift” key when you see the login screen.

Step 5: When your Mac restarts, “Safe Boot” appears in the menu bar.

Solution 7: Force Quit the App via Activity Monitor

If unresponsive apps are causing instability, you can force them to quit using the Activity Monitor. Follow these steps to troubleshoot:

Step 1: Click on “Applications” -> “Utilities,” and then open “Activity Monitor.”

Open Activity Monitor

Step 2: In the Activity Monitor window, find the troublesome app.

In Activity Monitor, select a process.

Step 3: Select the app, then tap the “X” in the top-left corner.

Step 4: Confirm that you want to force the app to quit.

Conclusions

Dealing with macOS Sonoma freezes and crashes can be frustrating, but effective solutions do exist. We've outlined various fixes for these issues, from verifying compatibility to boosting your Mac's performance.

If you experience data loss during this process, we recommend using Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro. It's the best tool to recover lost data in most situations.

Moreover, it offers a reliable option to retrieve your crucial data with its user-friendly interface and powerful features. Don't let data loss be an added concern in your macOS Sonoma issues. Download the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro tool to ensure your data is secure and recoverable.

Frequently Asked Questions about macOS Sonoma Freezing and Crashing

Here are some common questions related to the topic of this article, for your reference:

Why does my Mac freeze and shut down?

A variety of issues, including software incompatibilities, outdated system components, and hardware problems, can cause a Mac to freeze and shut down. To resolve this issue, follow the troubleshooting steps in this guide.

What should I do if an app on my Mac is frozen or quits unexpectedly?

If an app is frozen or shuts down abruptly, you can use Activity Monitor to quit it immediately. If the problem persists, try updating the app or contact the developer for assistance.