2018 Mac Mini motherboard failed

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Level 1

8 points

2018 Mac Mini motherboard failed

I am deeply disappointed that my 2018 Mac Mini had to be replaced in under 3 years of average service. I still have a 2009 Macbook running 24/7 and a 2014 Macbook Pro that works perfectly, so I expected a good 10 years of service out of it. Of course the machine is no longer under warranty and I can't justify spending over $500 to fix it when Apple is in the middle of transitioning to M1 chips.

I see other early reports of issues and I'm wondering if there was a bigger problem that would compel Apple to help. The configuration was:

6-core i7

32GB RAM

512GB SSD

Intel UHD Graphics 630

10Gb Ethernet

Big Sur

Mac mini, macOS 11.6

Posted on Dec 31, 2021 7:31 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

90,994 points

Dec 31, 2021 8:54 AM in response to storello

Yea that kind of sounds like a failing or failed SSD which is integrated into the logic board.

If you were using a wireless keyboard, plug in a USB keyboard and see if you can get into macOS Recovery or macOS Internet Recovery Mode. see > https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

If you can, then you can check the SSD and or install macOS on an external SSD.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,272 points

Dec 31, 2021 7:53 AM in response to storello

We are fellow users, and Apple is not reading your post. We cannot comment on what Apple may or may not do in this instance. Talk to the manager where you purchased the 2018 Mac mini (have your proof of purchase) or the Apple Authorized Service provider.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

90,994 points

Dec 31, 2021 7:52 AM in response to storello

Will it currently startup, light up or do anything?

What problems, symptoms or actions lead up to this failure?

Was the Mac Mini diagnosed by an Apple Store or Authorized Apple Service Provided?

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Answer 4

storello Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 31, 2021 8:44 AM in response to den.thed

Over the course of a day, the machine rapidly got worse. I was initially able to reboot but in the end the only thing that would appear was a URL for the Apple support page. Resetting NVRAM didn't do anything and it would not boot into recovery mode. I took it to Microcenter and they concluded that it was a bad motherboard that would cost over $500 to replace. It's basically a brick now.

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Answer 5

storello Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 31, 2021 10:05 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks, but I was using a USB connected keyboard. There's no hope of recovery if I can't get it into recovery mode.

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2018 Mac Mini motherboard failed

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