Fast Switching not working on new Macbook Pro

1: Make sure that you have installed all available software updates for your MacBook Pro. Go to the Apple menu and select "System Preferences," then click "Software Update" to check for any available updates.

2: Reset your MacBook Pro's NVRAM (non-volatile random access memory) and SMC (system management controller). To reset NVRAM, shut down your MacBook Pro and then turn it on while holding down the Command, Option, P, and R keys until you hear the startup sound twice. To reset SMC, shut down your MacBook Pro, then hold down the Shift, Control, and Option keys and the power button at the same time for 10 seconds, then release all keys and turn on your MacBook Pro.

3: Try logging out of both user accounts completely before attempting to fast switch between them. This can help to clear any cached data or processes that might be causing the issue.

TtocsNworb wrote:

I have a new 16" Macbook Pro M3 Max (Sonoma 14.3) which I have 2 user accounts (both with administrative rights) Logging into both accounts using TouchID and/or password both works without issues. However when I try to fast switch from the menubar from Acct1 to Acct2 for example the switch process starts, halts and the desktop switches back to Acct1, the please wait cursor appears and switching never completes. I have waited for 15mins + but switching never resolves and I have to hard boot the machine.

Are you using the Same FingerPrint for Both accounts ?

Suggest using 1 fingerprint for account # 1 and a different fingerprint for account # 2

Quinina wrote:

1: Make sure that you have installed all available software updates for your MacBook Pro. Go to the Apple menu and select "System Preferences," then click "Software Update" to check for any available updates.

2: Reset your MacBook Pro's NVRAM (non-volatile random access memory) and SMC (system management controller). To reset NVRAM, shut down your MacBook Pro and then turn it on while holding down the Command, Option, P, and R keys until you hear the startup sound twice. To reset SMC, shut down your MacBook Pro, then hold down the Shift, Control, and Option keys and the power button at the same time for 10 seconds, then release all keys and turn on your MacBook Pro.

Would the User care to share the Apple Support Document that suggests Resetting the SMC for a M3 Apple Computer

The suggestion you have presented is most interesting

Use Touch ID on Mac

Excerpt from above link

• " Switch users: Click the fast user switching menu  in the menu bar, choose a different user, then place your finger on Touch ID.
• To use Touch ID to switch to another user, you need to have set up fast user switching, and the user you switch to must have logged in to the Mac already by entering a password.

Quinina wrote:

2: Reset your MacBook Pro's NVRAM (non-volatile random access memory) and SMC (system management controller). To reset NVRAM, shut down your MacBook Pro and then turn it on while holding down the Command, Option, P, and R keys until you hear the startup sound twice. To reset SMC, shut down your MacBook Pro, then hold down the Shift, Control, and Option keys and the power button at the same time for 10 seconds, then release all keys and turn on your MacBook Pro.

Not on M3! If you really have no expertise in Mac architecture please don’t copy and paste stuff you don’t understand.

Yup the final step may work, hopefully

I would be wary if replying to a certain posting offering suggestions

One may not get a reply one is expecting.

Great to read it has worked

Off topic but there was a suggestion to Reset the SMC

Would be very wary about the " source " of that suggestion for obvious reason.

Good advise.

Good to see one " out and about "