27 iMac (2012) crashes and requires smc reset to turn on

Got the same problem as well - similar spec machine etc. My suspicion too is that it is a hardware fault - guess will have to take it back to Apple (out of warranty now though). Wonder if there are a bad batch of power supplies out there?

Hi Guys

I've has exactly the same issue, sometimes up to 10 crashes in a day. Has anybody had a definite resolution on this issue? Thanks.

So has anyone figured out the issue of this problem yet? This happened to my late 2012 iMac 27 inch. about three months ago. Took it to the Apple store and they told me it might be a hardware issue and had to replace the whole logic board, which will cost me $700!!

@iForce_ did you resolve this issue by simply changing the power supply?

I have the same issue. Is someone has a solution? Do Apple read and help to solve the problems on their forum?

Hey guys,

hate to say it, but nothing you will do will fix this problem.

I have had it for more than a year, along with corrupting graphics. Random crashes. Try this. . . .When it happens next, when you first turn your computer on, try a PRAM Reset when it boots for the first time after the crash. I bet it crashes for you again before it can complete the PRAM reset. 😟

I have had my logic board replaced twice and my power supply once. Now the most recent fix, (logic board and power supply) has failed too and it's now crashing again after a month and half of being stable since the repair.

I just called Apple and they are replacing with a current model imac with same upgrades, honouring the upgraded processor and video card I had in there.n

The tech said on the phone that my call was pretty much going to make this become a "known issue". Get your replacement and don't put up with a buggy build.

Experiencing exactly same issue here... iMac 27 (late 2012) with 3.4Ghz i7, 16gb ram.

Random power fail requires SMC reset. I got power supply replaced by Apple Store but it starts again!

I wonder if this is fundamental design defect. I don't have Applecare so I had to pay around $100 for power supply. Now I don't know what I should do. I don't want to pay for logic board... Now I am trying to order new RAM.

Please let us know if you have found any solution for this situation.

Thank you!

Similar problem here with my iMac 27 (late 2012) 😠. Bought and using Temperature Gauge Pro to control the fans (still shutsdown at times).

This model is a bad apple.

I spent over $2,500 for this computer and expected at least 4 years of untroubled usage.

<Edited by Host>

Update :

After the power supply replacement (cost around $100), the symptom came up again, went to apple store.

I was able to record the video. Also tried reinstall the OS through recovery partition but the power failed while installing Yosemite.

As expected, they recommended to replace logic board which costs around $770. Apple says it would be cheaper than buy new one. Are you kidding?? The computer was almost $3000 and does not run more than one year?? This is wedding gift from my wife which makes me so sad.

This is unacceptable... They told me only thing they can do is refund the cost for power supply.

Not sure what I should do... I really cannot trust Apple's hardware now.

I know the CPU in this logic board is detachable but the engineer says it is soldered. Why cannot just replace board only without CPU which I guess the reason of expensive cost? Even worse, they are not clear if this logic board replacement can fix the issue.

I don't want to pay more $770 for the $3000 machine which I cannot trust anymore, so exhausted. Even it can be fixed, I cannot use the machine with the feeling that it can blackout at any moment.

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

I use mine in my work as a freelance photographer. While editing files in Adobe lightroom the computer just dies, then I loose all my recent edits - very problematic and costing me time and money. Seems to be overall poor temperature management.

My wife, myself and our 3 children, all use and love Apple products .. now, I am not so sure.

Looks like we got stiffed by Apple.

Update 3/3/2015

I have replaced both Power Supply and Logic Board but the symptom is still showing...

Already tried with new RAMs before. Now remaining part is LCD display and CPU. (I've moved my original CPU from old to new logic board)

This becomes clueless. Not sure what I should do.

It's incredible. Same problem here! It's clear that this model has a fault. iMac 27" Late 2012. Four times in technical service. It can't reproduce the problem. No solution. In my house 4 o 6 shutdowns every day. Apple please help your customers.

I think we should report this case to Apple directly. Anybody know where we should contact for this matter?

Yes agreed, but what to do with Apple inc .. How can we get them to listen? There must be 1000's of iMac 27" late 2012 with random shutdown issues.

I never played video games and looked after my computer well. Cost near $3,000 new.

Good question.

How about something like this:

iMac (27-inch): AMD Radeon 6970M Video Card Replacement Program - Apple Support