Can't restart, shut down, or logout

Sounds like a bit of the update got mangled in the installation process. Let's reset the NVRAM (also called PRAM) thus: shut the computer down.

Hit the power button, and then hold down CTRL + OPTION + P + R (kind of a finger stretch to get all four keys, but well worth the exercise)

Hold those 4 keys down as the computer makes the startup chime, then reboots and chimes again. Let go at that point. The restart continues, and you should be able to log in normally.

Just to be on the safe side, once you've reset the NVRAM, let's edit the startup items: system preferences > users and groups > login items. If there is stuff starting up with the computer that isn't needed from the get-go, highlight and tap the minus sign at the bottom of the list.

i had that happen once when i was resetting mail allot due to google mail not working (somethign was confused and likely wating forever for gmail to not respond for 60 seconds or so). i had a color wheel as a mouse cursor and nothing was responding. (the graphics interface (desktop) was frozen - but not the OS, rarely will the OS ever be frozen)

NO NO dont reset NVRAM unless as a last resort ? probably your interface is frozen. i'm unsure "how to restart X Windows" for OS/X at the moment (for linux, it's Ctrl-Backspace, OS/X may not have the key mapped by default)

open a Terminal (found from Dock->Launchpad -> Other)

$ shutdown -r 0

your computer should restart gracefully - which is important, not potentially damaging the disk data or saved settings or anything else. (really it should recover anyhow - but it's far safer to shutdown gracefully)

there's probably a way to restart only X of OS/X, but again it's rare so i'd just shutdown and restart unless i stood to loose (an hour) of hard work. hope that helps!

Please use OS X -key board short cut to force start the mac .

command + control + power button .

Thanks !

Can you shut the computer down using the power switch? Then try a restart. If it restarts, try using this download of the security update.

Security Update 2016-001

oh i didn't see you already were impatient during a (upgrade/restart) and it may have gone poorly

if you thing adobe is a problem ...

uninstall the Adobe (hold mouse down it will twiggle, press the X). it should stop everything it is doing and exit normally, and vanish.

restart

reinstall adobe

i can't see NVRAM will help you if somehow you interrupted an upgrade and the OS does not realize it went badly

my guess is if you really did get a freeze during an upgrade is to find a way to "redo the upgrade", or restore your Time Vault backup, or re-install OS/X (insuring you have backups first)

BACK TO ADOBE FIRST. you shouldnt be running it during an upgrade. it's really safer to exit all programs and also openen top left apple -> shut down -> shut down each un-necessary app esp. 3rd party apps running BEFORE accepting an upgrade. dont' bother an upgrade while it's going though it may take long. and you might consider turning OFF power saving (no sleep) so that sleep doesn't cause an issue during upgrade (although apple should have that covered, better to be safe)

resetting your NVRAM PRAM SMC can cause a need for you to redo some settings - like fan (CAREFUL with that, a wrong fan can ruin a processor - they are supposed to be protected by heat sensing chip but i can tell you for sure that these chips aren't always functioning and protecting: ie, at boot time)

I have had similar issues with other programs freezing and not allowing me to quit the app, log out, restart etc. I am submitting a post with many other issues I am having with 10.11.6. I have just deployed 150 machines in a school setting and this is beyond frustrating.

I am having this same problem with my late 2012 13" macbook pro. I am unable to logout, restart, nor can I even shut down. Having to force my shut down by power button. When I try to restart, task bar is no longer available but icon menu is. Finder is also not responding.

I have dealt with Apple Support for two days, and everything we have done including a complete delete and reinstall still having same problem.

I hope Apple fixes this problem soon, as I cannot install anything that requires a restart....

Donnie T., it would make sense for you to get the big guns to help you deploy all of those machines. Call 1-800-MY-APPLE and ask for Enterprise Technical Support.

Hello !

Turn off multiple users option and you can follow the article : OS X El Capitan: Log out, sleep, restart, and shut down