Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT
Since upgrading to El Capitan ver. 10.11 my computer hangs when I try to shut down.
The screen goes black, showing just the cursor, then nothing.
I am using a 21.5-inch, Mid 2011, iMac.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11)
If installed, disable or uninstall anti virus software then see if you can shut down your Mac normally.
If you don't have anti virus software installed, prior to shutting down use the Force Quit keyboard shortcut Command + Option + Esc to quit all open applications prior to shutting down your Mac.
If installed, disable or uninstall anti virus software then see if you can shut down your Mac normally.
If you don't have anti virus software installed, prior to shutting down use the Force Quit keyboard shortcut Command + Option + Esc to quit all open applications prior to shutting down your Mac.
Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem.
Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Shut down from safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.
Carolyn,
I am using BitDefender which doesn't work in the background, so I don't think that could be the issue.
Instead of using Force Quit, I have been quitting applications manually and also ejecting my external drives before shutting down my iMac.
When I do this, my iMac shuts down every time...so far.
I will do this until Apple fixes El Capitan.
Thanks for your input.
Linc,
Thank you for your input.
I am using the procedure I posted above which seems to be working fine.
Linc Davis,
I am going to try your suggestion in the next day or two when I have more time.
Results will be posted here.
Thanks again.
Linc Davis,
I tried your suggestion, but I took a shortcut and did not use Safe Mode.
With all peripherals disconnected, all applications shut down, expansion cards...not sure what they are, but I don't think I have any....the computer shuts down every time.
I then tried shutting down with applications (Outlook, Safari, Word) running, peripherals still disconnected....shut down occurred every time.
The problem didn't re-appear until I connected my external hard drive, which is partitioned into two drives, one for TimeMachine, the other for SuperDuper backups. They are also encrypted.
So, it seems that the external drive is the problem, which didn't occur before El Capitan.
My shut down procedure now is to eject the external drive before shutting down the computer.
I haven't had the problem since doing this.
Not sure what else to do at this point.
Thank you for your help!
I also found I need to eject an external drive before shutting down. It is a Lacie thunderbolt drive and I am using it for Time Machine as well as normal storage.
Update: however now that drive won't mount!
My external hard disk still won't mount. There is another thread warning of major problems with Lacie RAID drives under El Capitan:
External Drives Not Recognized After Upgrade
My recommendation is do not update to EC 10.11.2 if you have an external Lacie RAID Thunderbolt hard disk.
Hi Linc. Hope you're still monitoring this thread?
I tried your test procedure. I already suspected the usb ports. Because I just upgraded to ElCap and started getting sloooow shut downs. I added my profile at install. I did not have any of this with Mavericks. (skipped yosemite)
I did a completely new, clean install of ElCap 10.11.2. Haven't even installed all my apps.
I connected a usb hub.
I tried not ejecting disk before shut down and ejecting disk. I tried disconnecting the hub. (the hub and stick are 3.) I dug out an old 2.0 hub and disk for testing. Still slow shut down. It's really less than one minute, but I am so used to just blink, blink, done...
So I tried your Safe boot test above.
Booted in, had the usb hooked up and the disc inserted (both 3.0) and then shut down. Shut down was quick, no spinning gear (which is what I see when it's going slower).
Then I booted in normally. And shut down again. The first shut down was faster, with minimal gear time. Then did it second time and it was back to slower with spinning gear. It does shut down, it just takes time I guess to shut down processes that have to do with the usb ports?
This was not an issue with Mavericks. In fact, after one ElCap install, I restore my Mavericks from clone and booted up and shut down, all was normal. It only happens with ElCap. It's worse when I import my Mavericks profile. This clean install is an improvement versus that.
I've seen other posts about this usb / ElCap slow/hanging shut downs and startups. My startup is actually a tad faster with ElCap.
This is a 2011 MacMini. plenty hard drive (over 500 gb), max memory 16 gb, 2 ghz processor i7.
Have you any ideas? thanks
...I'm going to start a new post....
iMac will not shut down using El Capitan
