When I was using a Mac, a rainbow cursor suddenly appeared and no matter what I clicked, it did not respond... Have you ever had an experience like this?

Just like "not responding" on Windows, freezes are common on Mac as well. In particular, there are many voices on social media saying that the number of freezes has increased after updating to macOS Sequoia (15.x).

In this article, we will explain the six main causes of Mac freezes and step-by-step solutions in an easy-to-understand manner. If you are having trouble with "Rainbow cursor won't stop" or "Is restarting the only option?", please refer to this article. Based on the latest information as of February 2026.

What exactly is a rainbow cursor?

When you see a spinning, rainbow-colored cursor on your Mac, it's a sign from your Mac that ``It's not processing right now, so please wait.'' Officially called Spinning Wait Cursor.

If it disappears within a few seconds, there is no problem at all, but If it continues to spin for several minutes and you cannot click or enter any keys, it is most likely frozen.

By the way, it is equivalent to the "hourglass mark" or "round and round mark" in Windows. The mechanism is similar, but the solution is unique to Mac.

6 reasons why your Mac freezes

There are six major reasons why your Mac freezes. Check to see if there is anything similar to your situation.

Cause 1: Insufficient memory (RAM)

If there are too many open apps or browser tabs, it will not be able to keep up with the memory capacity of your Mac. In particular, be aware that Chrome can consume hundreds of MB of memory per tab.

If you are using an 8GB model Mac, it is not uncommon for the memory to become full just by opening the browser, Zoom, and Office apps at the same time.

Cause 2: Insufficient storage space

macOS uses free disk space as virtual memory (swap). When free storage is less than 10GB, the entire system becomes extremely slow and is a direct cause of freezes.

Apple's official support page also recommends that you regularly check your storage space.

Cause 3: Runaway of a specific app

If one app continues to use nearly 100% of the CPU, the entire Mac will freeze. Common causes include video editing software (Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve), specific browser tabs, and antivirus software.

Cause 4: Problem after macOS update

There have also been numerous reports on Apple official community of frequent freezes after updating to macOS Sequoia. This is especially noticeable on Intel Macs, and older Macs are more likely to have compatibility issues with updates.

macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, released in February 2026, includes security fixes, but if you are experiencing freezing issues, it is best to first apply the latest minor update.

Cause 5: Too many login items/background apps

If there are many applications (login items) that start up automatically when your Mac starts, it will put pressure on the memory and CPU immediately after startup. Be careful if there are many icons lined up in the menu bar.

Clipboard managers, VPNs, cloud storage synchronization tools, outdated antivirus software, etc. are likely causes.

Cause 6: Hardware aging

Macs that have been used for more than 5 years may freeze due to deterioration of the SSD or swelling of the battery. In particular, swollen batteries can put pressure on internal components, causing unexpected shutdowns and freezes.

5 steps to try now when it freezes

When your Mac freezes, don't panic and press and hold the power button for a while. We recommend trying them in the following order.

Step 1: First wait 30 seconds to 1 minute

Rainbow cursor appears = Mac is processing. There are many cases where you are just working hard at heavy processing, and if you wait, it will come back. First, wait for one minute without touching anything.

Step 2: Stop the process with Command + . (period)

If the keyboard is responsive, try pressing the Command + . (period) keys at the same time. This is an instruction to your Mac to "stop the process." This is effective when the computer freezes during certain processes, such as while copying or downloading files.

Step 3: Force quit the app

If only a specific app is stuck, press Command + Option + Esc keys at the same time to open the Force Quit Application window. Select the app that says "(Not responding)" and click "Force Quit".

With this method, you can close only the frozen app, so you can protect the data you are working on in other apps.

Step 4: Restart from menu bar

If the mouse cursor moves, select the Apple mark () at the top left of the screen → "Restart". Rebooting will reset any temporary memory issues or runaway processes.

Step 5 (last resort): Forced shutdown by pressing and holding the power button

If the mouse and keyboard do not respond at all, please Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. Your Mac will be forced to shut down.

This method has the risk of losing unsaved data, but it basically does not damage your Mac. Apple's official support also advises this as a last resort when it freezes.

Fundamental measures for repeated freezes

If you find that ``It gets fixed by restarting, but it freezes again...'', find out the root cause and deal with it.

Measure 1: Check CPU and memory in Activity Monitor

Mac has a tool called "Activity Monitor" that is equivalent to Windows' task manager.

How to start: "Finder" → "Applications" → "Utilities" → "Activity Monitor" or enter "Activity Monitor" in Spotlight search (Command + Space).

Open the Memory tab and check the Memory Pressure graph at the bottom of the screen.

  • Green: Normal. There is enough memory
  • Yellow: Slightly insufficient. Close unnecessary apps
  • Red: Severe shortage. This is the direct cause of freezing

The "CPU" tab allows you to identify apps that are using the CPU abnormally. Freezes often go away simply by closing the app.

Measure 2: Increase storage space

You can check the current usage status by going to the Apple mark () → "About this Mac" → "More information" → "Storage settings". macOS Sequoia also displays a recommended feature that automatically deletes unnecessary files, so take advantage of it.

If you want to quickly free up space, we recommend the following.

  • Delete unnecessary files in the "Downloads" folder
  • Offload photos to iCloud (turn on iCloud Photos and "Optimize Mac Storage")
  • Move unnecessary apps to the trash from "Finder" → "Applications"

Measure 3: Organize login items

"System Settings" → "General" → "Login Items and Extensions"You can check the list of apps that start automatically when your Mac starts. Delete the ones you don't use by clicking the "-" button.

Also check the list of "Allow to run in the background" and turn off unnecessary ones.

Measure 4: Update macOS to the latest version

If the freeze is caused by a bug in macOS, it may be fixed with an update. Check for the latest updates in System Settings → General → Software Update.

However, major updates (e.g. major update from macOS 14 to 15) may introduce new issues, so it is safe to prioritize applying minor updates (e.g. from 15.3 to 15.3.1).

Countermeasure 5: Isolate the cause in safe mode

Safe mode is a mode in which your Mac starts up with minimal system functionality. Third-party software and kernel extensions are not loaded, so if it doesn't freeze in safe mode, you can isolate the cause to a third-party app.

For Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4):

  1. Shut down your Mac
  2. Press and hold the power button until "Loading boot options" is displayed
  3. Select your startup disk and Hold down the Shift keyClick Continue in Safe Mode

For Intel Macs:

  1. Shut down your Mac
  2. Turn on the power and immediately hold down the Shift key
  3. Release the Shift key when the login screen appears

If the problem persists, contact Apple

If the freeze persists even after trying all of the above measures, a hardware failure is suspected.

Apple Diagnostics (formerly Apple Hardware Test) lets you check your hardware at home. Shut down your Mac, turn it on, and press and hold the "D" key to start the test (for Apple Silicon, press and hold the power button → press the "D" key on the startup options screen).

If an error code is displayed in the test results, please consider Contact Apple Support or take it to an Apple Store or authorized service provider. If you have AppleCare+, the burden of repair costs will be reduced.

FAQ

Will data be destroyed if I force shut down my Mac?

Forcibly shutting down your Mac by long-pressing the power button will generally not damage your Mac. However, the contents of unsaved files will be lost. Many apps on macOS have an automatic save function, so most data can often be recovered.

Do Macs with 8GB of memory freeze easily?

It is true that with the current usage in 2026 (browser + video conferencing + Office, etc.), it is easy to run out of memory with 8GB. If the memory pressure on the activity monitor frequently turns yellow to red, consider reviewing the apps you use or purchasing a model with 16GB or more when purchasing your next device.

What is the difference between rainbow cursor and kernel panic?

Rainbow cursor can be activated when a specific app or system is temporarily unresponsive and can be recovered by waiting or force quitting. Kernel panic, on the other hand, is a serious error that displays a dark screen that says "You need to restart your computer" and is caused by a hardware issue or a defective kernel extension. If kernel panics occur frequently, please contact Apple Support.

Are cleanup apps like CleanMyMac effective?

Deleting cache and managing login items can also be done using standard macOS functions. Third-party cleanup apps can be useful, but they also run the risk of accidentally deleting macOS system files, so choose one that's reliable.

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