My Mac Mini (late 2012) became restarting itself two weeks ago. It turns off (led turns off, and then on) like it was disconnected from power and turned on again. No log report when back from restart, it behaves like nothing wrong happened - I've already done: restart NVRAM and SMC, wipe and reinstall OS X. I'm using OS X 10.9.5. Mac Restart X can restart a Mac on a regular basis or one time only at a specific date and time or at launch using it via Apple iCal or via a keyword embedded inside a web page.

Sep 28, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

Technical problems are frustrating, and troubleshooting issue is time-consuming. When your MacBook Pro keeps shutting down on Startup, you can't just ignore the problem. You're dead in the water. You need a solution immediately. So, instead of throwing the computer out the window, let's take a look at what could go wrong. Then, we'll go over tips for fixing your computer and making sure it never happens again.

Way 1: Restart Mac Pro/Mini Again to Fix Mac Restarts Randomly. Of course, the Mac is turning off by itself, and we are still asking you to restart the device to fix it. You need to remember that the issue may be a Mac that restarts constantly, but it doesn’t have the same effect as a proper reboot. It is a very effective solution.

Part 1. Why MacBook Pro Keeps Restarting

You're wondering: 'Why does my MacBook Pro keep restarting?' The answer is that when you install new software solutions on your MacBook Pro, it can lead to 'kernel panic' (or KP) which leads to unexpected restarts. A kernel panic is really not as scary as it sounds. When your computer's OS encounters an internal fatal error on bootup, and it can't safely recover or continue, it will display an error message informing you that it needs to reboot.

There can be many reasons why your MacBook keeps rebooting.

• The most common issue is conflicting applications.
• Another issue could be incompatible hardware or peripheral devices.
• It could be an issue of not enough RAM or hard drive space.
• The plugins or drivers could be out-of-date.

When your MacBook keeps restarting, this is what happens:

• The system detected a problem and it gives an error message that it must restart to fix the issue.
• If the system is truly stuck in the reboot cycle, the system will shut down.
• In general, a message will pop up on your Mac screen showing you 'Your Computer restarted because of a problem.'

Part 2. How to Fix 'Mac Keeps Restarting'

So, by now, you have an idea of why your MacBook keeps restarting, but how do you fix it? Take a systematic approach to troubleshoot, starting with the hardware. As you test the potential suspects, you can cross it off your list and move on to the next possibility.

HARDWARE CONFLICT

The kernel panic can be caused by hardware conflicts. So, if you've recently installed new RAM, a hard drive, a printer, or other devices, the addition(s) may be contributing to the problem

Solution: Check the devices and hardware that you've hooked up to your MacBook Pro.

1. Turn off your MacBook Pro.

How To Switch From Windows To Mac

2. Disconnect all devices including printers (excluding the display, mouse, and keyboard).

3. Restart your MacBook.

4. Use your MacBook for the period of time that would typically have resulted in a restart.

>> If your MacBook restarts, check the status of your internal RAM and any other hardware.

>> If your MacBook does not restart, turn off your system and reconnect one device at a time per restart to troubleshoot your hardware issue.

SOFTWARE CONFLICT

Problems can pop up when you install new software on your MacBook Pro. There could be a compatibility issue, or it could be that the lack of space on your hard drive is contributing to the problem, and making it appear that your issue is software related.

Solution: Check the software that you've installed on your MacBook Pro.

1. Hold down the Shift-button and boot into Safe mode.

2. Backup your user files to an external hard drive.

3. Update the software on your MacBook Pro.

If the problem persists and is not resolved with the reinstall of your software, it may be a recurring issue with corrupt software. It's not uncommon to be required to reinstall your software, so it's important to make sure you're regularly backing up your system.

Solution: Discover corrupt software.

1. Update the corrupt software application.

2. Reboot your computer.

3. If you aren't able to reinstall or update the software application...

>> Uninstall or delete the application.

>> Use an app-installer tool to completely remove all trace of the corrupted app.

4. Reinstall the application.

If the 'Kernel Panic' error is associated with random software applications, the problem probably has nothing to do with the applications themselves, but more to do with drivers or other conflicts.

Solution: Fix disk permissions.

The problem of faulty disk permissions is yet another way that your software applications can go wrong and produce the 'Kernel' error. The process of fixing permission errors is one of the most frequent troubleshooting tasks that are recommended beyond just when your iMac keeps restarting. (The diagnosis is often incorrect, but it is a safe thing to try.)

For OSX Yosemite or older...

1. Press Command + R to restart your MacBook Pro.

2. Open Disk Utility.

3. Select 'First Aid,' then 'Repair Disk Permission.'

For macOS Sierra or OSX El Capitan ...

1. Open CleanMyMac X.

2. Select advanced Maintenance module.

3. Repair the disk permissions.

Fix the disk space issue...

We recommend maintaining a 20% margin for storage space, but that's just a safe estimate. Before you get started, consider which application and files you need to keep on your computer. If they are old, if they are duplicated elsewhere, or if they are remnants of previous projects, delete (or back-up and remove) the files from your MacBook Pro.

• If you don't have enough free space via virtual or physical memory, your system will lag. You'll see poor performance. You may also see the Kernel Panic issue.
• To check to see if a lack of hard drive space is the issue, select the Apple menu.

>> Select 'About This Mac'

>> Select the 'Storage' tab.

• To resolve the disk space issue, install a larger hard drive.
• To resolve low capacity hard drive space issues, without installing a new hard drive, delete files or programs to free up space.
• Run a CleanMyMac app to free up additional hard drive disk space.

Solution: Launch Disk Utility

You can fix corrupted files with your Disk Utility, which allows you to perform some tasks related to your storage and hard disks.

1. Select the Apple menu.

2. Select Restart

3. Hold down Command + R as your MacBook Pro is restarting.

4. Select Disk Utility.

5. Select First Aid.

Solution: Disable Startup Items

When you have too many startup items set to launch at startup, your MacBook Pro's processor can be overloaded and overloaded, which can lead to a Kernel Panic error and an auto restarts. Disable startup items to see if that's the reason for your error issues.

1. Select the Apple menu.

2. Select System Preferences.

3. Select Users & Groups.

4. Select your username from the menu.

5. Select the Login Items tab

6. Select a startup item to disable and then select '–'.

7. Restart your MacBook Pro.

Continue this process until all the startup items are disabled. You may be surprised by how many items are being loaded at startup. You can add back one startup at a time and reboot between each addition, so you can determine which item is causing a problem. You can use the CleanMyMac app for maintenance that may resolve your issues more quickly.

Solution: Reinstall a clean MacBook Pro operating system.

When other fixes do not resolve the reboot issue, you need to reinstall a clean install of the operating system on your MacBook Pro.

1. Restart your Macbook Pro.

2. Hold down Command + R as your MacBook Pro is restarting.

3. Select 'Reinstall macOS' or 'Reinstall OS X' to initiate a clean install of the OS that came with your MacBook Pro.

Solution: Recover Lost Files

Recoverit Data Recovery is the best file recovery software for your MacBook Pro.

• You can quickly and easily recover files you've lost by reinstalling the MacOS.
• Recoverit supports the recovery of photos, videos, documents, archives, and more than 1,000 other types of files.
• You can also scan your hard drive and preview the files you want to save before you initiate the recovery process.

Recoverit allows you to recover the Desktop folder, as well as other content.

Step 1. Launch Recoverit

Install Recoverit, and open the application. If you've already installed the application, select the 'Recoverit' icon from the MacBook Pro desktop. It can take a few seconds to launch the program.

• Select the source location, where you've lost your files.
• Initiate the scan to search for the lost files.

Recoverit displays a list of all the files that you can recover. Review the files to determine which ones you need to recover. Select the 'Recover' button.

2. Recover Files

To recover files, repeat the main three steps.

• Select the source location.
• Initiate the scan to search for the lost files.
• Preview and recover.

You should be able to get a listing fairly quickly. If you don't see the file(s) you need to recover, you can still try one more method of recovery.

Select 'All-around Recovery' to run a more in-depth scan and see if you can recover your files. The results are usually better with the deeper scan.

Part 3. How to Prevent 'Mac Keeps Rebooting' Issues

It's always preferred to resolve the reboot issue before you have the complaint: 'My Mac keeps restarting.'

Keep Your Mac OS Updated

A missing Mac update can cause unusual restart issues. Your Mac is confused and needs the latest update(s).

1. Select the Apple menu.

2. Select System Preferences.

3. Select Software Update.

4. Click Update Now to install the updates.

>> You can click 'More Info' to see details.

When your Software Updates are complete, your MacBook Pro will prompt you if the update requires you to restart your computer. To make this process easier, and to be sure that you have all the correct updates, you can set up your computer to automatically install updates in the future.

Verify Software Compatibility

Many software issues can be resolved by just being cautious and prepared before you install new applications.

1. Read install details to see if there are known issues.

2. Check forums to see if there are any reported compatibility issues.

3. Be sure to verify that there are no issues with other software you've already installed in the past.

Verify Hardware Compatibility

Just as you can resolve software issues by being proactive about your installs, you can do the same with hardware. Some hardware just does not play nicely together, but you should also check to see if it is compatible with Mac.

1. Read through any hardware install details to find out if there are known issues with compatibility with your MacBook Pro.

2. Check forums to see if there are any known compatibility issues with hardware related to MacBook Pro.

3. Be sure to verify that there are no issues with other hardware that you've already installed in the past.

Part 4. Extra Info About Mac Startup

The bootup process for your MacBook Pro appears to be fairly simple. You just press the button, and the computer starts up. There's actually a lot more going on behind the scenes when you start your computer. Your MacBook Pro is running a series of initializations.

• Select the 'On' button.
• The hardware and firmware is initialized (loaded & run)
• The firmware runs the power-on self-test (POST)

>> It tests the processors, memory, peripherals, etc.

• The indication of startup both sounds and displays.

Of course, there can always be an issue with the startup initialization process. This article just discusses one symptom (the reboot) that can go wrong.

What About Next Time?

The next time you won't be saying, 'My MacBook Pro keeps restarting.' You'll have the answers to solve the problem. By regularly backing up your MacBook Pro, and keeping your files and updates current, you're able to avoid many troubleshooting problems beyond just the restart fix for your computer. You don't have to be an IT expert to put into place very simple strategies and processes that will save you time, money, and also make it easier for you to use your computer for the purposes it's intended for.

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Before we get our hands dirty, here’s a word of warning. If you’re wondering how to reboot a MacBook Pro, bear in mind it’s the last resort when all other methods to unfreeze your Mac had failed. Don’t try it too often as it may harm your system. No question, your Mac can handle rapid power losses and your hardware most likely won’t be hurt. What’s at risk though, is your data because each time you force reboot a Mac it affects the consistency of the file system. Now that you’ve been warned, let’s go.

Symptoms your frozen Mac needs a force restart

• Applications are not responding
• Pointer is not responsive
• Loud fan noise
• The screen goes black
• Mac unable to restart

Can you move the cursor? If yes, try this

Restart Machine

Before you force restart a Mac, it’s always recommended to first try a software solution.

Go to the Apple menu
Choose Restart
Click Restart in the menu that appears

Two ways to force restart a Mac

The simplest method: hold down the Power button till your Mac shuts down. Press the button again to restart it.

If your Mac hangs for good and the pointer is inactive:
Hold down Control + Command while pressing the Power button.

This is an alternative key combination to force restart a Mac. By the way, if you are on an iMac, the Power button is found on the back of your Mac. Voila!

Is Shut Down any different from Restart?

The difference between Shut Down and Restart is quite self-explanatory. When you perform a restart, your Mac will turn on again loading its previously active apps. As for shut down, your Mac won’t start until you press the Power button again. Interestingly, all new Macs have an automatic reboot feature built-in. So even if you sit and do nothing, your frozen Mac would eventually reboot by itself, though it takes a bit of patience.

How to force shut down a frozen Mac

If you need to force shut down a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, all you need is again to press a Power button on your Mac’s keyboard.

Press and hold Power button for 2 seconds
Choose Restart, Sleep or Shut Down in the menu that appears

If you don’t want to reload the baggage of your previously opened apps, tick off “Reopen windows when logging back in”. We do recommend you to deselect this option when your Mac is slow in order to lighten the weight on your RAM.

If your Mac won’t shut down:

Press and hold Power button for about 6 seconds
Hold the button until the Mac shuts down.

Needless to say that when you force restart a Mac all your unsaved projects may be lost. It’s unfair, we know.

Why does my Mac keep freezing?

The obvious explanation is your Mac lacks memory. Or to put another way, there are too many active processes running on your Mac. First off, go to Activity Monitor to check your memory usage.

Go to Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor
Click the Memory tab

Now, look into how heavily your Memory is loaded. Quit apps that eat up too much memory for no reason. While this may work as a temporary solution, it doesn’t stop your Mac from freezing up again. You can either force reboot your Mac each time or opt for a radical solution. Below are a few more ideas you can try.

More ways to fix a frozen Mac

Restart your Mac in the Diagnostics mode

Shut down your Mac and reboot while pressing D key. Within the menu that appears, launch the Apple Diagnostics tool. This will check your Mac’s drive for errors. From then, follow the prompts to finish the diagnostics.

Clean up your Mac

Remove old unused apps, system junk, and pervasive browser extensions. For this purpose, try running CleanMyMac application on your Mac.

It’s quite effective in removing all junk from your Mac and has a number of helpful utilities, like RAM free up or app uninstaller. Download it for free here .

Reinstall your macOS

This is the most radical of all methods, that’s why it’s so effective.

Check out how to clean install macOS Sierra
Instructions for macOS High Sierra
How to clean install macOS Mojave

How to clean install macOS Catalina

Hope this guide has helped you. Before you force shut down this article, feel free to share it, using the social buttons below. Cheers!

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