How to Fix A Mac That Keeps Shutting Down Randomly?

It’s a good practice to shut down Mac once you call it a day and finish your work. If you are wondering “Why shutdown Mac once a day?” This one move can help clear RAM and cache, delete temporary files from the previous session, close unnecessary background processes, and update browsers, among others.

But, as opposed to the benefits we mentioned, what if it keeps shutting down randomly for no apparent reason? This is an issue that many Mac users face.

Also Read: Mac not shutting down issue.

In this post, we’ll have a look at some of the possible ways you can fix your Mac so that it won’t shut down randomly.

Writer’s Tip

We understand that if your Mac shuts down randomly and won’t turn on, it may be very unnerving. Especially, when you have loads of important data on it. Just in case, the issue prevails for a long time, here are ways to recover data from a Mac that won’t boot.

Ways To Fix A Mac That Shuts Down Randomly

Solution No.1 – Do A Proper Shutdown

This is the first step you should undertake if your Mac turns off randomly even if your battery is fully charged. In this simple step, all you have to do is Shut Down your Mac as you normally would using the Apple menu. Before that, try and close all the apps that are running on your Mac to ensure that there are no hindrances when your Mac shuts down.

Solution No.2 – Check Mac for Malware

Malicious threats are infamous for interfering with normal functionalities of operating systems and macOS is no different. So, before any malware extends its clutches to your data and other Mac features, you can use an Antivirus app to identify and remove malicious threats.

Solution No.3 – Uninstall Apps

Not all apps, but if the Mac has started to shut down randomly after installing an app, you need to look into it. These newly installed apps might be buggy especially if you have installed them from a platform other than the Mac App Store.

To uninstall an app, first close it. Then press and hold the Option key, or click and hold the app (till it starts jiggling). Click the X button next to the app and confirm to delete.

One important advice is to uninstall apps completely as some apps have the tendency to leave residue files that could still be detrimental.

Solution No.4 – Close All CPU Hogging Apps

If your MacBook shuts down randomly chances are that it’s overheating. And, what could possibly be wrong? Some apps are just hogging the CPU. Here is how you can locate such apps and close them for better –

Step 1 – Open Finder.

Step 2 – Click on Go > Utilities.

Step 3 – Open the Activity Monitor and launch it.

Step 4 – Select CPU.

Step 5 – Click on the %CPU filter and check the apps that are consuming the maximum CPU power.

Step 6 – To quit an app, select it and click on X.

By closing all high CPU-consuming apps, your Mac should stop overheating and as a result, it won’t shut down randomly.

Solution No.5 – Reset SMC

Resetting the SMC can help fix a Mac that shuts down randomly. That’s because it manages battery charging, thermal control, and power management. To reset SMC, first put your MacBook on a charger, and follow the steps mentioned below –

Step 1 – Press Shift + Option + Ctrl + Power for 15 seconds.

Step 2 – Release the keys after 15 seconds.

Restart your Mac and check if you are still facing abrupt shutdown issues.

Solution No.6 – Adjust Sleep Settings

It could be that what you think is a random shutdown might actually be your Mac going to sleep. Here’s how you can make this setting right –

Step 1 – Click on the Apple menu, and open System Settings.

Step 2 – Head to the lock screen.

Step 3 – Here customize Turn display off settings and set a time that suits you.

By configuring this your Mac won’t immediately go to sleep when it’s inactive. You will also be able to save battery in the process.

Were You Able To Fix The Issue?

A frequently shutting Mac may result in both hardware and software-related issues. The steps mentioned in the blog should most certainly help fix the issue.

For instance, you can reset SMC, configure sleep settings, and properly shut down Mac. Do let us know which of the above methods helped you fix the issue. For more such content, keep reading Tweak Library.

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