MacOS Catalina Will Not Shut Down Properly

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Level 1

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MacOS Catalina Will Not Shut Down Properly

Hello,

I've got this new Mac mini machine since April 2020 and I've been experiencing shut down issues. Every time the machine is on for a longer time (like a few hours), it won't perform a clean shut down. I have to hold the on/off switch on the back to force it to turn off and that's obviously not OK. I've read a post that is no longer active that this might be due to Time Machine (TM) on an external drive and once TM does its thing the computer would be unable to shut down. I do use TM but it is via network on an Apple Time Capsule. The issue apparently has never been properly resolved at least to my knowledge other than people manually having to eject their TM external drives prior to shut down and I have nothing to be ejected since I am on a Time Capsule over a wired network. I am not even sure if that is indeed the root of the problem in my case. Any insight would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jul 19, 2020 12:20 PM

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Answer 1

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John Galt

Level 10

146,234 points

Jul 19, 2020 6:05 PM in response to ZWaves

Please follow these steps in sequence. Stop once you conclude the problem is fixed.

Confirm macOS is up to date: Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support.
Shut down all applications in the usual manner, leaving only the Finder running and nothing else.

To make sure they are all shut down use the Application Switcher: Hold the ⌘ (Command) key down while pressing the Tab key. A horizontal list of app icons will appear.

Release only the Tab key, and press the Q key while keeping the ⌘ key held down to quit each open app. Save any open documents if you need to. Repeat that key sequence until only the Finder icon is present, and then release the ⌘ key.
If you are unable to quit an app, force it to quit using these instructions: Force an app to close on your Mac - Apple Support.
Identify that app, because it's the one causing the problem.

Finally, shut down your Mac using the  (Apple menu) > Shut Down...

After it completely shuts down, press and hold the following four keys:

control

option

shift

power

Keep all those keys depressed for at least five seconds, and then release them. Then, start your Mac in the usual manner, and evaluate the results.

If the problem persists, proceed with the following steps, in order:

Reset the SMC using these instructions: Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support.
Reset the NVRAM using these instructions: How to reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support.
Make an appointment to have your Mac evaluated for a possible hardware fault: Contact Support

Time Machine is not related to that problem, nor are your Time Capsules or even directly connected disks.

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MacOS Catalina Will Not Shut Down Properly

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