How to Fix Mac Keeps Restarting [Beginner's Guide]

"Hey guys, I desperately need your help. For the fourth time in 24 hours, my Mac has shown me the 'Your computer was restarted because of a problem message. I know this is a result of my MacBook crashing. Please, why does my Mac keep crashing? And what should I do to prevent a MacBook pro crash? Thank you!"

Have you faced the "Mac keeps restarting" problem recently? If you have, you are not the only one!

Technological innovation is what makes Mac different from others. However, like all other devices, there can be some issues. Despite constant upgrades, Mac often restarting is one of the most common problems.

Several reasons can cause the Mac to restart often. Luckily, there are different solutions one can apply to fix this issue.

Causes: Why your Mac Computer Keeps Restarting

Are you worried about your Mac restarting? We understand that! However, knowing the cause at least reduces half of your worries.

Here is a list of possible reasons that can lead to this issue. Take a look -

Conflicting Applications problem

Some apps don't get well with others. If you have conflicting applications running on your system, that may lead to the system crashing. Incompatibilities between the third-party apps and the system can also cause issues that force Mac to keep restarting.

Incompatible Hardware or Devices

Did you know that incompatible hardware or device can lead to the Mac crashing at random times? You need to consider the compatibility of the hardware before implementing any solution. If ignored, it can lead to massive malfunctioning of the system.

Insufficient RAM or Hard Disk Space

If your system memory doesn't have any space, it can cause the crashing of the system. When the RAM of hard disk space is full or nearly complete, it slows down the device considerably. Ultimately, it affects the system's overall performance and causes it to crash.

Drivers out of Date

Another reason for Mac restarting often is out-of-date drivers. In that case, you must update the drivers and see if the solution is resolved.

Solutions: How to Troubleshoot and Solve Mac Restarting

The causes are varied, as was already indicated. If your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro is stuck in a boot loop, you can force a complete shutdown by holding the power button for a few seconds. Restart your MacBook Air after that to see if the issue was just a short-term system glitch.

You can try the following fixes one at a time to fix your broken Mac if it still restarts upon startup and displays the error message "Your machine restarted because of a problem."

1. Fix 1. Disconnect All Devices
2. Fix 2. Reinstall macOS
3. Fix 3. Scan Corrupt Software and Update
4. Fix 4. Run Disk Utility
5. Fix 5 Disable Startup Items
6. Fix 6. Boot into Mac Recovery Mode
7. Fix 7. Reset NVRAM and SMC

Take a look at the steps listed below –

Fix 1. Disconnect All Devices

One of the most straightforward solutions for fixing the Mac restarting problem is to remove all connected devices. Disconnect the keyboard, mouse, etc., and see if the issue is resolved. Sometimes, even this simple move can help you!

Fix 2. Reinstall macOS

Try reinstalling macOS to resolve the Mac restarting issue. It is essential to understand that software glitches can crash the device; in that case, macOS reinstallation can be the solution.

For this, take a look at the steps –

Step 1. Shut down the system.

Step 2. Press and hold Command, Option, and R keys with the Power button.

Step 3. Wait for the MacOS Utilities window on the screen. Here, select "Reinstall macOS".

Fix 3. Scan Corrupt Software and Update

There are two significant ways to scan for corrupt software: update and fix it. The first method is to run the First Aid Utility on the drive where macOS is installed. Once the scan is complete, you can reinstall the updates.

To check for corrupt software, you must manually check if any software is not opening correctly or crashing the OS. If there is nothing to find, you can use the Time Machine to restore your MacBook to a point where everything is working as expected.

Fix 4. Run Disk Utility

Another solution to the Mac keeps restarting the problem is to run Disk Utility. With this procedure, you can resolve disk-related issues with ease. To run Disk Utility, here are the steps you need to follow –

Step 1. Turn off the system. Now, press Command and R keys and hold them simultaneously. Wait till you see the macOS utility window.

Step 2. Now, choose "Disk Utility". Select "Continue".

Step 3. Opt for the disk on which you want to run the procedure.

Step 4. Click the First Aid button to answer the confirmation prompt. Click the Run button to repair volumes.

More 3 Fixes:

1. Fix 5 Disable Startup Items
2. Fix 6. Boot into Mac Recovery Mode
3. Fix 7. Reset NVRAM and SMC

Fix 5. Disable Start-up Items

Sometimes, start-up tools can cause issues with the system, leading to restarting problems. It can affect the Mac processor, making it less efficient.

Here are the steps you must follow to disable these start-up items –

Step 1. Go to the Apple menu. Choose System Settings.

Step 2. Select General from the left-hand settings and click on the Login Items.

Step 3. Select the Login items. Now, you will get a list of the system's start-up items.

Step 4. Under the Open at Login tab, take a look and select the item you want to disable. Click on "-."

Step 5. Restart the system and see if the issue is resolved.

Fix 6. Boot into Mac Recovery Mode

You can boot the system into macOS Recovery mode and see if this issue is resolved. Check out the steps listed below –

Step 1. Select the Apple logo on the screen. Go ahead with Restart.

Step 2. Press and hold Command and R keys.

Step 3. Wait until you see the Apple logo on the screen. It would be best if you opted for any of the Recovery Mode utility options: Disk Utility, Get Help Online, Reinstall macOS, and Restore from Time Machine Backup.

Step 4. Select Disk Utility, and then run the First Aid button to repair volumes, containers, and disks.

Fix 7. Reset NVRAM and SMC

Lastly, you can reset NVRAM and SMC to resolve the restarting issue of your system.

These are the steps you must adopt to reset NVRAM –

Step 1. Press and hold Command, Option, P, and R keys simultaneously as your system restarts.

Step 2. You can release the keys after about 20 seconds, during which your Mac might appear to restart.

Step 3. Now, the system will boot normally.

To reset SMC, check out these steps –

Step 1. As your system restarts, press and hold Shift, Option, Control, and R keys simultaneously.

Step 2. Wait until you see the system's Apple logo and hear a sound.

Step 3. Now, the system will restart the usual way.

Bonus Tip: Recover Data When Mac Keeps Restarting

When Mac keeps restarting, you might lose critical data. The possibility of data loss is not absurd, and that is why it is vital to safeguard your data. For that, you can adopt extra security measures.

However, in some cases, you can still experience data loss. In that case, you must rely on a professional data recovery tool to restore lost files. One of the most reliable programs you can install is EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

The EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is a powerful data recovery software. It was specifically designed to restore different data types, and this tool can retrieve images, videos, emails, documents, etc.

Moreover, the software helps you irrespective of the cause of data loss. For instance, if the data loss is due to a system crash or virus attack, the tool can you help in both situations.

Highlights:

• Hassle-free scanning of the deleted files
• Restore data from various Mac-based devices
• Advanced filter feature to find lost data with ease
• Send recovered data to different cloud storage

Final Thoughts

Mac restarting is a severe issue that most Mac users often encounter. Different causes can lead to the Mac crashing, including out-of-data drivers, incompatible hardware, etc. Luckily, there are several solutions you can apply to fix the issue.

For instance, you can reinstall macOS or run Disk Utility. You can also boot the Mac into recovery mode or reset NVRAM and SMC. However, data loss is possible when Mac keeps restarting. It would be best if you chose a specialized data recovery tool - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

The EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is a powerful and reliable software to restore data. Using this tool, you can retrieve different types of data with ease. Check out this excellent software today!

Mac Keeps Restarting FAQs

Even if the Mac keeps restarting, the problem is fixed; you need to attain more knowledge. Take a look at the questions and answers listed below -

1. Why is my MacBook Pro keeps restarting at boot?

MacBook Pro keeps restarting at boot can be due to several reasons. It can be due to devices connected to the system or incompatible software installed.

2. How to fix the Mac keeps crashing to a black screen?

If your Mac keeps crashing to a black screen, there are several methods you can apply.

• Firstly, check the cable and power adapter.
• After that, remove peripheral devices or try to force the shutdown of the system.
• Besides, you can use Disk Utility or reset NVRAM and PRAM.

3. What to do when my Mac keeps restarting after an update?

According to several specialists, unreliable third-party software might make a MacBook restart at random. This typically occurs when a third-party application brings on a macOS kernel panic. If this applies to your Mac, update the problematic app to the most recent version.

If it doesn't work, delete the program from your device and install a reliable substitute.

4. Why does my Mac keep restarting kernel panic?

A software issue is the most common cause of your Mac's restarting kernel panic. However, it can also be due to incompatible or corrupt hardware.