mac mini 2018 keeps rebooting

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iQuack2 Author

Level 1

20 points

mac mini 2018 keeps rebooting

Mac mini, macOS 10.14

Posted on Aug 1, 2022 8:29 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

ShannonM1

Community Specialist

Aug 2, 2022 9:57 AM in response to iQuack2

Hello iQuack2,

We understand that your Mac is restarting unexpectedly. We'd recommend the steps from If your Mac restarted because of a problem - Apple Support:

Check your software

If the issue is caused by software on your Mac, one of these steps might help:

Install all available software updates.
If your Mac suspects that a particular app caused the restart, it might ask whether you would like to move the app to the Trash. Click Move to Trash, then contact the software developer to see if a software update is available.
Use safe mode to try to isolate the cause of the issue.
Reinstall macOS. If the issue continues after reinstalling macOS, check your hardware.

Check your hardware

Learn how to check your connected devices and other hardware.

Check peripheral devices first

If you don't have any devices attached to your Mac, skip to the next section.

Shut down your Mac.
Disconnect all peripheral devices, such as hard drives or printers. If you have a desktop Mac, make sure that only a display, keyboard, and mouse or trackpad are connected.
Turn on your Mac.
Use your Mac for the amount of time that it would usually take for an unexpected restart to occur.
If an unexpected restart occurs, follow the steps to check the internal RAM and third-party hardware.
If an unexpected restart doesn't occur, turn off the Mac and connect one peripheral device at a time until an unexpected restart occurs.

Check RAM and third-party hardware

Certain models of Mac computers have removable memory (RAM). If you recently installed memory or a hard disk (or SSD), make sure that it's compatible and installed correctly. If possible, remove it and test with the original memory or disk.

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities!

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Answer 2

iQuack2 Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 21, 2022 10:52 AM in response to destiny241

Okay, finally able to get into Apple today. They said the internal hard drive is dead. Thus the T2 chip won't even allow the computer to boot up. While I understand this and why, it still saddens me. Older macs with internal hard drive failure will boot to an external. Should be a way to do this. So the bill will be 440 + Tax.

So there you have it. Sorry it took so long to get back. I should get the mini back within the week.

Recap: 2018 i7, 10G ethernet, 1TB HD, Rebooting every 9 seconds was caused by the internal hard drive going bad, Remedy, R&R the internal HD.

I'll pop back on when it get the mini back

Cheers,

iQuack2 FLA

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Answer 3

destiny241

Community Specialist

Aug 2, 2022 12:00 PM in response to iQuack2

Hey iQuack2,

Have you tried hooking up another display to the Mac? Just to rule out any issues with the display itself.

Run a diagnostic: Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

If you receive an error, learn about those here: Apple Diagnostics reference codes - Apple Support

If needed, bring in the Mac for an inspection. A technician would be able to inspect it and provide you with more information: Mac Repair - Official Apple Support

Get prepared for your visit: Get your Mac ready for service - Apple Support

Search nearby for locations: https://locate.apple.com

Wishing you safe travels, take care.

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Answer 4

iQuack2 Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 4, 2022 10:24 AM in response to destiny241

Okay, new ram installed, same deal. After resetting the SME (can't think of the name of it but it resets timing and the like) once that was finally reset I could again only option boot to a restart or web boot to a restarting mini. I’ll be taking it in to Apple. Never ever seen this issue.

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Answer 5

iQuack2 Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 2, 2022 10:40 AM in response to iQuack2

Oh yes it goes from Boot to reboot in about 10 seconds unless you use target disk mode, Option for disk change or command option R for web boot.

iQuack

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Answer 6

iQuack2 Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 2, 2022 10:36 AM in response to ShannonM1

Thank you for your valuable reply. I can do everything except boot up. Pulled apple ram from another mini. Get no boot or reboot but do get power light and no display. Reset the NVRAM and did SME (I think it’s called).

How did I get here? I boot from external drives. Had an error with DiskWarrior on a back up drive. Rebooted the mini to my maintenance partition via the option key. And now you know the rest of the story.

I will order RAM and try that out. Can’t even web boot. So maybe it’s the ram.

If you can think of anything else I could try prior to me taking it in to apple? The RAM is a great place to start. I did disconnect all the externals except the keyboard and mouse. Safe boot is a no go as well.

thanks again,

iQuack 😉😫😫😫🤪

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Answer 7

iQuack2 Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 2, 2022 12:50 PM in response to iQuack2

Yes ShannonM1,

three different monitors and three different outputs. TB3/USBc, TB3-eGPU, & HDMI. All the same results. This has happened before but the SME reset did the trick that time. Beside myself on this one.

took the external HD and reinstalled the OS because it wouldn’t boot the other i3 2018 mini. Which is odd as well. Maybe me think again RAM issue. Migraine has set in and RAM is on order for the i3 mini. BTW the Affected mini is CTO i7 10GbitEthernet. My house workhorse.

thanks again and we’ll wishes to you and yours.

I’ll post an update once I find out a cure.

super thank you for the response.

iQuack.

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Answer 8

iQuack2 Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 4, 2022 10:28 AM in response to ShannonM1

Yes new ram installed and reset the timing. Same deal. It’s going in to Apple to see why it’s doing this.

Never ever seen this issue before. An SME (timing reset is required) it will do this reset because it goes from blank screen and no reboot, to a screen where I see the Apple logo prior to the recycling reboots.

many many thanks for your help

i hope it’s not DOA and just something I’m doing wrong.

cheers

iQuack

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Answer 9

iQuack2 Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 2, 2022 1:13 PM in response to destiny241

Thank you as well destiny241.

I will get back to you when I get this rooted down.

😌😌

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Answer 10

iQuack2 Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 21, 2022 10:55 AM in response to ShannonM1

Hello ShannonM1,

Finally got the mini in and posted what i was told

Thanks so much for your help

iQuack2

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mac mini 2018 keeps rebooting

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