Tech

Latest In

Tech

How To Fix Your Mac Randomly Shutting Down - Try These Methods

The good news is that there are several fixes that you can try to resolve this issue. Read on to learn how to fix your MacBook that randomly shuts down so you can get back to using your device without any interruptions.

Author:Daniel BarrettAug 03, 20231402 Shares48359 Views
We have been educated to believe that Apple products represent a norm of dependability. If you want a computer that is reliable, you should acquire a Mac.
You should acquire an iPhoneif you want a phone that can maintain a connection for a number of hours without being disrupted. It's not entirely false, but it would be a mistake to believe that Apple products are completely impervious to harm.
Random Mac shutdowns are a certain way to learn that the Apple experience is not always flawless. If you've ever had this happen to you, you already know this.
The worst-case scenario is that a system shutdown occurs while you are working on an essential project. Because of this, you risk losing data and experiencing significant delays in your job.
The good newsis that there are several fixes that you can try to resolve this issue. Read on to learnhow to fix your MacBook that randomly shuts downso you can get back to using your device without any interruptions.

Why MacBook Keeps Shutting Down

It's essential to understand why your MacBook keeps shutting down. Here are some possible reasons:

Overheating

One of the most common reasons behind your MacBook shutting down randomly is overheating. When your MacBook becomes too hot, it automatically shuts down to prevent any damage to the internal components. Overheating can be caused by several factors, including:
  • Running too many applications simultaneously
  • Dust accumulation in the fans and vents
  • Inadequate cooling due to a faulty fan or thermal paste

Hardware Issues

Your MacBook may be randomly shutting down due to hardwareissues, such as a faulty battery or power adapter, defective RAM or hard drive, or a damaged logic board.

Software Issues

Software issues can also cause your MacBook to shut down randomly. These include outdated or incompatible software, corrupted files or applications, and malware or viruses.

Power Management Settings

Another reason behind your MacBook shutting down randomly could be incorrect power management settings. Your Mac may be set to shut down automatically after a certain period of inactivity, or the battery settings may not be configured correctly.
Macbook On Floor
Macbook On Floor

12 Fixes To Your Mac Randomly Shutting Down

Now that we've explored the possible reasons behind your MacBook randomly shutting down let's take a look at the fixes:

Complete A Proper Shutdown

No matter how silly it sounds, this must be the first step to fixing the Mac shutdown. Unexpected shutdowns are different. Shutting down your Mac from the Apple menu reliably closes all background processes and programs, reducing other concerns.
  • After a random shutdown, restart your Mac.
  • Command-Option-Esc forces Quit non-responding apps.
  • Next, restart Mac from Apple.
  • Basic troubleshooting may not fix the issue, but it's an excellent start.

Check Your Mac For Malware

Malware might cause your Mac to crash. CleanMyMac X Malware Removal analyzes my Mac regularly.
CleanMyMac X protects my Mac in real time and informs me when I download dubious files.
Apple's notarization ensures the app's safety. CleanMyMac X's virus scan instructions:
  • CleanMyMac X.
  • Open the CleanMyMac X app.
  • Select Malware Removal in the left sidebar.
  • Press Scan and wait.
  • CleanMyMac X removes anything found.

Check If Your Mac Is Overheating

Overheating may cause Mac shutdowns. It will usually be noticed, but it's worth verifying if it's not the problem because Mac enthusiasts won't necessarily go crazy over it.
Here's how to check if your Mac is overheating:
  • Finder > Applications > Utilities.
  • Access Activity Monitor. Siri or Spotlight can open the app.
  • Select CPU and filter by CPU%.
  • If not needed, close the most CPU-intensive programs and processes by clicking X.

Reset Your SMC Settings

SMC chips regulate battery, fans, power, and other functionality. Resetting SMC may fix random shutdowns.
Whether your Mac has a replaceable battery affects the steps.
Non-removable-battery MacBooks:
  • 2009-present MacBook Pro
  • Every MacBook Air, MacBook (Late 2009).
  • 12-inch MacBook 2015+

Customize Mac's Sleep Settings

Mac shutdowns are sometimes inadvertent sleep mode activations. Customizing sleep settings may fix misconfigurations. Luckily, it's simple:
  • System Settings is under the Apple menu.
  • Lock Screen.
  • Choose the best time frame for Turning the display off here.
In this manner, your Mac won't go to sleep if you don't use it, reducing the possibility of a random shutdown. It may also conserve battery life. See below.

Monitor Your Battery Health

Each battery model has a restricted amount of charge cycles. Macs may randomly stop down due to low batteries. Checking your battery status is easy, and if it's hit its maximum cycle count, you need a new one.
Check your battery:
  • Select About This Mac from the top-left Apple symbol. MacOS Ventura steps: Apple > About This Mac > More Info.
  • System Report > Hardware > Power.
Cycle count is under Battery Information.
Replace your Mac's battery after 1000 cycles. A condition under Cycle Count indicates a healthy battery.
CleanMyMac X is another battery healthchecker. The Menu app includes a Battery feature that displays health, cycles, and temperature. CPU load, memory load, and real-time malware monitor are also useful.
After downloading and launching CleanMyMac X, select Preferences/Settings from the menu bar, then Menu, then Enable Menu.

Update Your MacOS

It's obvious, but updating your Mac reduces shutdowns. Your Mac has another chance.
System Preferences > Software Update or About This Mac > Software Update. MacOS Ventura steps System Settings, General, Software Update.
You'll see pending ones. Install it using the on-screen directions.
If your MacBook Pro or other Mac computer randomly shuts down, you may need to reinstall macOS, but upgrading it usually fixes it.

Boot Into Safe Mode

Apps that load at startup may be problematic. If so, search your Mac's starting drive for faulty file systems. Safe Mode fixes faulty startup disk file systems.

Reset PRAM

PRAM, like SMC, may cause your Mac's unstable behavior. PRAM holds several small preferences. Resetting may fix it. Mac PRAM reset:
  • Turn off your Mac from the main Apple menu.
  • Command+Option+P+R after powering on.
  • Hold the keys until the startup chime.

Reset The NVRAM

PRAM is NVRAM. Older Macs use PRAM, but Intel-based Macs have NVRAM.
After the starting sound or Apple logo twice, release the keys to reset the NVRAM.

Uninstall Suspicious Apps

As indicated, programs with software issues can trigger Mac shutdowns. However, these bugged apps are not dangerous and do not represent a security risk to your Mac. They can still impair performance, so remove them.
Find these apps manually. To choose which app to uninstall, go to the Applications folder and investigate them all. If your Mac randomly shuts down after opening an app, you can uninstall it.
CleanMyMac X, as mentioned before, makes uninstalling questionable programs easier. It includes an uninstaller. More significantly, it removes all connected and remaining files, preventing conflicts following app deletion. Its use
  • Select Uninstaller from CleanMyMac X's sidebar.
  • Click Suspicious.
  • Select and uninstall apps.

Reinstall Your MacOS

Reinstall macOS if nothing works. Even though Apple claims that reinstalling macOS does not delete data, it is always the last option. If you have a recent backup and time, you're fine. Booting into recovery mode first depends on your Mac model.
Mac Shut Down Randomly
Mac Shut Down Randomly

How To Prevent Your Mac From Suddenly Shutting Down?

Preventing your MacBook from suddenly shutting down is better than having to fix it every time it happens. Here are some ways to prevent your MacBook from shutting down randomly:

Disconnect Peripheral Devices

Make sure that your Mac is not connected to any external devices such as hard drives or printers. If it's a desktop computer, you can keep the keyboard, mouse, and display attached; but, nothing else should be left plugged in. Start up your Mac and carry on with your job as you normally would.
It is important to keep software up to date because out-of-date software is frequently the reason for having to restart. The following are some suggestions that can help you deal with it
  • If there are any pending software updates, make sure to update any applicable applications.
  • If the issue is caused by a specific application, you can ask the app's developers for assistance in resolving it, or you can uninstall the application from your Mac.

Reinstall MacOS

If you have tried everything possible to resolve the issue of random shutdowns, or if your MacBook Air or Pro repeatedly shuts down when it is trying to start up, the next step that you should do is to reinstall macOS from the Recovery partition on your computer.
You will first need to delete the contents of your startup drive; but, if you have your data backed up, you may accomplish this task with the peace of mind that your essential data is stored securely away from your Mac. On the official support page for Apple products, you'll find step-by-step guidesthat walk you through the process of reinstalling macOS.

Keep Your Mac Healthy And Avoid The Trouble

In many instances, random shutdowns have their own symptoms, which include the following: Your computer begins to function more slowly, the fans are operating at maximum speed and making a lot of noise, and the applications become sluggish.
When it occurs again, there is no indication of it. Nothing. It is therefore recommended that you monitor and control the performance of your Mac in order to receive notifications whenever there is an issue.

Prevent Future Mac Shutdowns

Installing iStat Menus will allow you to monitor the status of your Mac in real time. in order to prevent any possibility of even coming close to resolving a shutdown.

Monitor Mac’s Health

If you have iStat Menus installed on your Mac, it will let you know when it is not operating as efficiently as usual. This application will add a wide variety of Mac health indicators to the menu bar. You will have the ability to manage the amount of free space on your disk, view the applications that are now using the most CPU on your Mac, and monitor the processes that are running.
It is the most effective method for ensuring that your computer will never even begin to act erratically. You can also ease the strain on your Mac by decreasing the speed at which background applications run or by completely quitting them.
App Tamer is the solution that will assist you in accomplishing exactly that goal. You have the ability to select which applications you want to "tame" and place limits on how much CPU they can use.
This can assist prevent your Mac from wasting up its CPU on processes that you don't really need, as well as free up resources on your Mac so that you can work on things that are genuinely important to you.

How To Fix 13-inch MacBook Pro Shutting Down?

The 13-inch MacBook Pro may also experience random shutdowns. Here are some fixes to try:
  • Check for software updates and install them if available.
  • Remove any dust or debris from the fans and vents.
  • Reset the SMC and PRAM/NVRAM.
  • Check the battery health using CoconutBattery or a similar app.
  • Replace the battery if it's faulty.
  • Reinstall macOS.
If none of these fixes work, it's best to take your MacBook Pro to an authorized Apple service provider or an Apple Store.

What to Do When your Mac Keeps Shutting Down

How To Recover Data From A MacBook That Shuts Down Randomly?

For recovering your data, the first step is to try to start up your MacBook in safe mode. To do this, hold down the Shift key while pressing the power button. Safe mode disables non-essential drivers and software, which can help identify and fix issues that cause random shutdowns.
If you're able to start up in safe mode, you can transfer your important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage service.
If your MacBook still shuts down randomly and you're unable to start it up in safe mode, you can try booting from an external hard drive. This allows you to access your MacBook's hard drive without actually starting up the system. From there, you can transfer your important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage service.
If you're unable to recover your data using these methods, you may need to take your MacBook to an authorized Apple service provider or an Apple Store. They may be able to recover your data using specialized tools and techniques. However, this can be an expensive option and there's no guarantee that your data can be recovered.
It's important to regularly back up your data to prevent data loss in the event of a random shutdown or other issues. This can be done using Time Machine or a cloud storage service.

People Also Ask

How Can I Check The Temperature Of My MacBook?

Use an app like iStat Menus or TG Pro to monitor your MacBook's temperature.

Can A Bad Power Adapter Cause MacBook Random Shutdowns?

Yes, using a faulty or third-party power adapter can cause power-related issues, including random shutdowns.

Can Using A VPN Cause Random Shutdowns On A Macbook?

No, using a VPN should not cause your MacBook to randomly shut down. Check for other potential causes like overheating or faulty hardware.

Conclusion

Random shutdowns on your MacBook can be caused by a variety of issues, including hardware and software problems. By identifying the root cause of the issue, you can take the appropriate steps to fix your MacBook that randomly shuts down.
We hope the solutions discussed in this article have been helpful in learning how to fix your MacBook that randomly shuts down. Remember to keep your MacBook updated, use genuine Apple products, and regularly maintain it to prevent future issues.
Jump to
Daniel Barrett

Daniel Barrett

Author
Latest Articles
Popular Articles