Why is iMac Desktop Freezin up with 18.1 Update? Explain

Discover why is imac desktop freezin up with 18.1 update and learn how to fix performance issues quickly.

So, you finally updated your iMac to the latest macOS 18.1, hoping for better performance, exciting new features, and maybe a little extra speed. But instead, your once-reliable machine is freezing up, running sluggishly, and making you question every decision you’ve made in life. Sound familiar? Don’t worry; you’re not alone.

Many users have reported similar issues, often describing it like their “blue circle Mac” is stuck loading endlessly after updating. While it can be frustrating, there’s good news—this problem is fixable. In this article, I’ll walk you through some tried-and-tested solutions to get your Mac running smoothly again. We’ll start with the easiest fix and work our way up to more advanced solutions. By the end, your iMac should be back in action, running as fast as the day you bought it. If you’ve been wondering, “why is iMac desktop freezin up with 18.1 update?” then read on.

Step 1: The Easiest Fix (Straight from Apple) 

Before diving into complex solutions, let’s try the simplest and most effective fix that Apple recommends. Sometimes, all your Mac needs is a simple System Management Controller (SMC) reset, which can clear out minor system glitches.

How to Reset SMC: 

1. Shut down your iMac completely (don’t just restart it). 
2. Unplug the power cable from the back of the iMac.
3. Press and hold the left Shift + Control + Option + Power button together for 10 seconds. 
4. Release all keys, plug the power cable back in, and turn your iMac on.

This simple step often works wonders, so give it a try first! If your Mac is still freezing, don’t worry—there are plenty of other tricks up our sleeves. If you’re still wondering, “why is imac desktop freezin up with 18.1 update?” then keep reading.

Step 2: Free Up RAM Using Terminal & Activity Monitor 

If your iMac is freezing or slowing down after the 18.1 update, it’s possible that RAM (Random Access Memory) is clogged up with unnecessary processes. The more programs running in the background, the more RAM is being used, leaving less room for important tasks.

A quick fix? Manually purge your RAM using Terminal and Activity Monitor.

How to Free Up RAM: 

1. Open Activity Monitor (Press Command + Space, type Activity Monitor, and hit Enter). 
2. Click the ‘Memory’ tab at the top. 
3. Open Terminal (Press Command + Space, type Terminal, and hit Enter). 
4. Arrange both windows side by side to monitor changes in real time. 
5. In Terminal, type:

purge

Then hit Enter.

6. Watch the green portion of the pie chart in Activity Monitor increase in size.

This command forces macOS to clear unused memory, allowing your iMac to run more efficiently. You might experience a slight slowdown for a few seconds, but after that, your system should feel significantly snappier. If you’re asking yourself, “why is imac desktop freezin up with 18.1 update?” this could be a major cause.

Step 3: Keep macOS Updated 

While macOS 18.1 may have caused some initial slowdowns, Apple is always working on bug fixes and performance improvements. If your Mac is freezing up, make sure you’re running the latest available updates.

How to Check for Updates: 

1. Go to System Settings > Software Update. 
2. If an update is available, click Install Now. 
3. Alternatively, open the Mac App Store and click on the Updates tab to check for app-specific updates.

Keeping your macOS updated ensures that you receive all the latest performance fixes and security patches. If you’ve asked, “why is imac desktop freezin up with 18.1 update?” a simple update could be your answer.

Step 4: Remove Unnecessary Login Items 

Did you know that some apps automatically launch every time you start your Mac? These programs can silently slow down your system and cause freezing issues.

How to Remove Startup Items: 

1. Go to System Settings > General > Login Items. 
2. Review the list of apps that launch at startup. 
3. Select and remove unnecessary items by clicking the minus (-) button.

This small tweak can dramatically improve boot-up speed and reduce freezing issues. If your concern is still “why is imac desktop freezin up with 18.1 update?” this could be a solution.

Step 5: Clear Out Storage Space 

If your iMac’s storage is nearly full, macOS doesn’t have enough room to swap memory efficiently, leading to slowdowns and freezes. Keeping at least 10-15% of your storage free is crucial for smooth performance.

How to Free Up Disk Space: 

1. Go to System Settings > General > Storage. 
2. Identify large or unnecessary files and delete them. 
3. Use Mac’s built-in Storage Optimization tool to automatically remove clutter. 
4. Empty the Trash to free up space.

For additional cleaning, third-party tools like CleanMyMac X can help automate the process. If you’re still wondering, “why is imac desktop freezin up with 18.1 update?” this could be a key factor.

Step 6: Reset PRAM/NVRAM (If Necessary) 

If your iMac continues to freeze, resetting the PRAM (Parameter RAM) and NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) can help fix minor system glitches.

How to Reset PRAM/NVRAM:

1. Shut down your Mac completely. 
2. Press and hold Command + Option + P + R immediately after turning it back on. 
3. Keep holding until you hear the startup chime twice, then release.

This reset can fix issues related to system settings, audio, and display problems that might be causing freezing. If you’re thinking, “why is imac desktop freezin up with 18.1 update?” this could be your fix.

Step 7: Check for Software Conflicts 

Certain third-party apps might not be optimized for macOS 18.1, leading to compatibility issues. If your iMac freezes only when a particular app is running, that’s a clue!

How to Identify Problematic Apps: 

1. Open Activity Monitor. 
2. Check the CPU and Memory tabs for apps using excessive resources. 
3. Force quit any misbehaving apps.

If an app continues to cause problems, consider updating or reinstalling it. If you’ve been searching for “why is imac desktop freezin up with 18.1 update?” this could be your answer.

Key Takings:

Updating to macOS 18.1 should be an improvement, not a headache. If your iMac is freezing up, try these solutions in order:

• Reset the SMC (quick and easy!) 
• Free up RAM with Terminal + Activity Monitor 
• Keep macOS updated for the latest bug fixes 
• Remove unnecessary startup items 
• Free up disk space for better performance 
• Reset PRAM/NVRAM if needed 
• Identify and fix software conflicts

If you’ve been asking, “why is imac desktop freezin up with 18.1 update?” these steps should help you get your Mac back on track.

Additional Resources:

1. Apple Support Communities Apple Intelligence Stuck on “Preparing” Status: Users have reported issues with the Apple Intelligence feature causing system instability after the 18.1 update.

2. Southern Oregon University How to Fix a Frozen Mac Update: This guide provides steps to address a frozen Mac during or after an update. It recommends booting your Mac into Safe Mode by holding the Shift key during startup, which can help bypass problematic software or drivers.

3. Reddit Apple Intelligence Stuck on Preparing: Community members have shared experiences with system freezes related to the Apple Intelligence feature. A simple reboot has been effective for many users

4. JustAnswer Fix iPhone 18.1 Update Freeze: Although this resource focuses on iPhones, the troubleshooting steps can be applicable to Macs. It suggests connecting your device to iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later), then performing a series of button presses to force a restart and initiate a restore if necessary.