2024 MacBook Pro M4 Intermittent Hanging/ Freezing/ Wheel of Death Affecting Usability

I haven’t had the laptop for long but I don’t recall having this issue when I bought it. Since updating to macOS 26 Tahoe (and still tonight after 26.1) I find my touchpad mouse becomes unresponsive (pointer won’t move or click) for usually around 20 seconds, then the speakers emit a clicking sound and the pointer returns to normal. I’ve also found that during basic use (I usually have Mail and Chrome running) the laptop becomes unresponsive with both the keyboard keystrokes freezing and then inputting at speed following the ‘interruption’.

Have tried restarting, shutting down by holding the power button, making sure all apps are closed then opening one at a time (of two), I’ve unplugged the second monitor and the external hard drive too.


As an addition, I had previously thought it was a Bluetooth issue as I was using an external Apple keyboard and mouse but the issue remains after disconnecting and ‘forgetting’ these devices. Thank you to anyone who might suggest something as it is making work impossible and its a 3 month old laptop!

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Nov 8, 2025 12:49 PM

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3 replies

Nov 8, 2025 4:15 PM in response to acwatson85

Consider downloading and running this little "discovery" utility, Etrecheck. It changes NOTHING. Etrecheck was developed by a senior contributor here, and uses mostly system calls and simple tests to collect often-needed information.


it contains little tests for speeds of devices, CPU utilization, memory usage, energy usage and a digest of recent problems, in one easy to use package. it does not even need to be Installed. Because less can be learned when your Mac is running great, best time to run is when your problems are actually occurring, if possible.


if you follow the directions faithfully, its report (pre-laundered of all personally-identifiable information) can be "Shared" to the System ClipBoard, then Pasted into an ‘Additional Text’ window in a reply on the forums.


Use Etrecheck Pro for free:

http://Etrecheck.com


The amount of data you get can be daunting. If you POST your report, some Readers here are willing to look over those reports, and can provide valuable insights.


then start a reply on the forums, click on the "additional text" icon, and PASTE


2024 MacBook Pro M4 Intermittent Hanging/ Freezing/ Wheel of Death Affecting Usability

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