User profile for user: robertfrombasel
robertfrombasel Author
User level: Level 1
13 points

My mac keeps turning back on after I switch off

I am running macOS Catalina Version 10.15.4 on my MAC mini (late 2014). Lately I have trouble with the device switching back on after I have switched it off using Shut Down. Usually this happens immediately after I shut down, or at times much later. I have taken as a work-around simply to putting the device to sleep or forcing a shut down as soon as the device starts to boot. Neither "solution" is satisfactory. Is this a common problem with Catalina?


Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 14, 2020 1:44 AM

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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
91,312 points

Posted on May 14, 2020 10:59 AM

Reset the SMC, as per > How to reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

Desktop computers

  1. Shut down your Mac, then unplug the power cord.
  2. Wait 15 seconds, then plug the power cord back in.
  3. Wait 5 seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.


Reset the NVRAM, as per > Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

Shut down your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R. You can release the keys after about 20 seconds, during which your Mac might appear to restart.


Then startup in Safe Mode, as per > How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

following by a normal restart and then test the Shutdown and Sleep function.


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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
91,312 points

May 14, 2020 10:59 AM in response to robertfrombasel

Reset the SMC, as per > How to reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

Desktop computers

  1. Shut down your Mac, then unplug the power cord.
  2. Wait 15 seconds, then plug the power cord back in.
  3. Wait 5 seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.


Reset the NVRAM, as per > Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

Shut down your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R. You can release the keys after about 20 seconds, during which your Mac might appear to restart.


Then startup in Safe Mode, as per > How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

following by a normal restart and then test the Shutdown and Sleep function.


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User profile for user: robertfrombasel
robertfrombasel Author
User level: Level 1
13 points

May 15, 2020 1:09 AM in response to robertfrombasel

Thank you den.thed for your fast and helpful reply. I started the procedure you recommended and did a Safe Start-up initially, just in case. After restarting the computer and turning it off, I no longer had the device restarting. I have tried switching off and then restarting a number of times since without any problems. It appears that the "re-setting" through safe mode may have cured the problem. I will continue monitoring the computer over the next couple of days to see whether the random start-up is still present. If so, I will proceed with the re-setting of the SMC and NVRAM as you suggest. I will keep you posted. Thank you

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My mac keeps turning back on after I switch off

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