Device Frozen?

Unresponsive screen or spinning wheel? Force a restart.

Difficulty

Easy

Time Est.

2 Minutes

Tools Needed

  • Hardware Buttons

iPhone (Face ID)

Press Volume Up (release), press Volume Down (release), then HOLD the Side Button until you see the Apple logo. Do not slide to power off.

iPhone (Home Button)

Hold the Home Button and the Power Button together for 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.

Android (Samsung/Google)

Hold Power + Volume Down simultaneously for 7-10 seconds. The screen will go black and restart.

Windows Laptop

Hold the physical Power button down for a full 15 seconds. Ignore whatever is on the screen. It will force cut the power.

Why Do Devices Freeze?

A freeze usually happens when a single app consumes 100% of the processor (CPU) or RAM, leaving no room for the operating system to respond to your clicks.

Common Culprits:

  1. Web Browsers: A website with a bad script or too many ads.
  2. Updates: An automatic update trying to install in the background.
  3. Overheating: The device slows down intentionally to cool off.

If It Happens Frequently…

If you have to force restart your device every week, something is wrong.

  • Check Storage: Is your phone full? Devices need at least 5GB free to “breathe.”
  • Bad App: Did this start after installing a specific game or tool? Uninstall it.
  • Factory Reset: The nuclear option. Back up your data and wipe the device clean to fix deep software rot.

Pro Tip: On a laptop, if the mouse won’t move, try Ctrl + Alt + Delete. If that menu opens, you don’t need to force restart! Just click “Task Manager” and end the frozen app.