macOS Ventura Freezing Frequently? Mac Unresponsive? (Fix?)
Last updated on May 10th, 2023 at 03:30 am
Posted in Errors and Issues by Tyrone on November 4, 2022
macOS Ventura freezing
Is macOS Ventura freezing your System frequently after update from Monterey? Mac unresponsive for several minute at a time? Mouse cursor continues to move on the screen but no input is registered? This happens even when you’re not performing heavy computation?
macOS Ventura Freezing Frequently
This issue has been reported by Lily:
“System freezes repeatedly after Ventura update. I have to wait for minutes for the Mac to become responsive again!”
and confirmed by Tim S. over email:
“System freezes without any reason.”
We’ve found similar complaints on Reddit too:
“System just freezes for few minutes (5-10 minutes usually), you can only move your mouse, but you can’t do anything else. Eventually, it returns to a normal state. I’m using MacBook Pro 16, M1 Max and it’s really annoying.”
How To Fix macOS Ventura System Freezes
You can unfreeze your Mac by restarting it. However, with the system blocked and unresponsive you can perform a reboot from the menu bar.
You have to press & hold the Power button until the computer shuts off. Wait a few seconds and press the Power Button again to start your Mac.
Fact: This troubleshooting sequence might cause you to lose unsaved changes in open documents. If you can’t afford that, better be patient a couple of minutes until macOS Ventura unfreezes itself.
(Update, May 10)
Disconnect Magic Mouse
Apparently, your Mac appears to be freezing or become unresponsive if you accidentally have a turned On Magic Mouse nearby (in your backpack) that you forgot about.
It can remain connected and interfere with the Trackpad as Werner suggests. This fix has been also confirmed by jabix in the comments.
Does this help you too?
How To Prevent System Freezing in macOS Ventura
It’s always better to prevent than fix. You can try to find the root of this problem by running the following Terminal command:
- 1. Open Terminal using Spotlight Search (command + space and search for Terminal).
- 2. Copy, paste and execute:
systemextensionsctl list
Fact: This command will reveal third-party extensions running on your Mac. If these extensions haven’t been fine tuned for macOS Ventura freezing episodes might occur.
Apparently extensions like Endpoint Security System, Karabiner Elements and Ad Guard could generate freezes. Have you discovered other problematic extensions? Share them in the comments!
Thanks Code-Financial for this tip.
Workaround for macOS Ventura Freezing
Jeremy informs that he managed to fix this macOS 13 issue by disabling FileVault:
- Open System Settings.
- Click on Privacy & Security in the left sidebar.
- Scroll all the way down to FileVault and turn it Off.
Have you managed to fix Mac freezing in macOS Ventura? Do you have a better solution or other problems to report? Share your feedback in the comments!
Related: For more macOS 13 bugs and their available workarounds please check our extended review.
It might be coincidence or voodoo, but I turned FileVault off and my computer was usable again. I haven’t seen the beachball of death since.
Thanks for sharing this Jeremy. I will update your contribution in the main content of the article. It might help others.
Hi Jeremy, hi Patricia,
tried the FileVault hint – did not help MPro M1 13
Sorry to hear this. Not sure what else to suggest at the moment.
SOLVED – after 2 times reinstallation of macOS I simply found out, that I had forgotten to disconnect my MagicMouse. This mouse was down in my Rucksack and the Bluethooth signal was obviously weak, but inferfering with the Trackpad.
So please keep in mind to disconnect any other eixisting mouse device!
Thank goes to Apple support – very professionell, very patient, really competent! Sorry for my own error.
Thanks for the follow up. That’s a good lesson. Thanks for sharing it with us. Enjoy macOS Ventura and let us know if encounter any other issues.
my mouse in the backpack was also switched on …
Thanks for confirming. I’m adding this in the main content of the article.
It didn’t work, any other ideas?
Nothing new at the moment. If anyone has a better fix, please share it here.
While my Ventura installation on a macmini 6,1 (Late 2012) under OpenCore Patcher is an unsupported configuration, Ventura 13.2 runs well, except for exactly this problem. As a matter of fact, when I run the Ventura installer and I select an APFS-E disk, after putting in the password to unlock it, the installer tells me that Ventura will not install on an encrypted disk. So, I convert to APFS, install, and then turn on FileVault, but that leads to freezing during the “white apple” boot sequence. Haven’t tried safe mode or logging to see what causes the freeze, just turned FileVault off and poof, no more problems. Still, this leaves my user data quite insecure…
i am using macbook m1 16,
it didn’t work on my mac..
Thanks for reporting. Not sure what else to suggest at the moment. Have you upgraded to macOS 13.0.1?
yes, updated, but it didn’t help
Thanks for the follow up. Did you get any third-party extensions listed when running the Terminal command listed in the article?
I have m2 macbookpro, same issue … really bothers me, because it’s my working mac.
Thanks for sharing. It’s been reported to Apple. Not sure what else to suggest at the moment.
I started my iMac 27 mid 2011 upgraded with Ventura
Started it in safe mode ,the mouse and keyboard working fine no more freezing
Thanks for sharing. Enjoy Ventura!