What should a user do if their Mac is not responding?

When a Mac is not responding, one of the first steps a user should take is to force quit unresponsive applications. This option addresses the most common cause of unresponsiveness, which is typically a single application that has frozen or is consuming excessive system resources. By force quitting the problematic app, the user can often restore normal functionality to the Mac without needing to reboot.

This method is efficient and quick, allowing the user to attempt to regain control without losing work on other applications. If the issue persists after force quitting, other more drastic measures, such as reinstalling the operating system or disconnecting peripherals, might be necessary, but these steps are more time-consuming and may not directly address the immediate problem at hand. Running a virus scan is generally not a common first step for unresponsiveness on a Mac, as malware is less frequently an issue compared to application freezes.