How to Fix Unresponsive Programs with Task Manager

Written by: Jay H.

Have you ever faced the frustration of a program freezing or becoming unresponsive right in the middle of an important task? Many people experience this with Windows-based programs, whether due to a software glitch, lack of memory, or unexpected bugs. Thankfully, Windows Task Manager is a powerful tool that can help you resolve these issues quickly and get back to work.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to open Task Manager, understand its interface, and use it to fix unresponsive programs.

Note: This is a Windows-based program. If you have a Mac device, you will want to use Activity Monitor to force-close programs instead.

Fixing Unresponsive Programs

Step 1: Access Task Manager

There are several ways to open Task Manager, but here are some of the most common:

1. Keyboard Shortcut: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. This is the quickest way to open Task Manager directly.
2. Ctrl + Alt + Delete: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager from the list of options.
3. Search: You can also search for Task Manager by typing “Task Manager” in the Start menu and clicking on the Task Manager app when it appears.
4. Taskbar: Right-click on the Windows taskbar and select Task Manager from the list of options.

Step 2: Identify the Unresponsive Program

Once Task Manager is open, you’ll see several tabs at the top. You will end up on the Processes tab when you launch Task Manager. This tab shows all running applications and background processes. Here, you can see which programs are using the most resources, including CPU, memory, and disk usage.

In the Processes tab, look for the program that’s causing the issue. You’ll see each app’s name in alphabetical order. You might have to scroll to find the problem program.

How to Identify the Unresponsive Program

• The status might display as “Not Responding.”
• It may show unusually high memory or CPU usage.
• The window might be frozen and won’t respond to clicks or commands.

Step 3: End the Unresponsive Task

Once you’ve identified the unresponsive program, you can use Task Manager to force it to close. Here’s how:

1. Select the Program: Click on the unresponsive program to highlight it.
2. End Task: In the bottom-right corner, click End Task. This will force the program to close, immediately freeing up any resources it was using.

Note: Be cautious when ending tasks, especially if you’re unsure what they are. Forcing a task to end will close the program without saving any unsaved data.

Step 4: Restart the Program (If Necessary)

After ending the unresponsive program, you may need to open it again to continue your work. Go back to your Start menu or desktop and click on the program icon to restart it. Most of the time, the program will reopen without any issues.

Preventing Program Freezes

If you frequently experience unresponsive programs, here are a few tips to reduce the chances of future freezes:

1. Restart Your Computer Regularly: Regular restarts clear the system cache and refresh memory usage.
2. Update Your Software and System: Keep your operating system and programs up to date. Updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes.
3. Limit Background Programs: Running too many applications at once can cause memory issues. Close programs you’re not actively using.
4. Check for Malware: Malicious software can cause programs to freeze. Run a virus scan regularly to ensure your system is safe.
5. Consider Upgrading Your RAM: If you regularly use resource-intensive programs like video editing software, more RAM can help prevent slowdowns and freezing.