6 Ways to Fix Mac Won't Restart After Update (Include Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur)

Facing Mac won't restart after update issue? This issue can occur due to various reasons such as corrupted system files, software conflicts, or outdated drivers. To resolve this issue, you can try restarting your Mac in Safe Mode, booting from a different boot drive, or using the built-in Disk Utility to repair permissions and disk errors.

Mac Won't Restart or Shut Down After Update

Mac users may experience frustration when their device takes longer than usual to shut down, which can be due to various reasons. To address the issue, users can try data-restoring techniques, followed by quick fixes to restart their Mac after updating to Ventura, Monterey, or Big Sur. This can help resolve the problem and get their device back up and running smoothly.

How to Restart Mac Without Losing Data

Users can face issues with their Mac restarting after an update. To avoid losing essential data, users can try two initial methods to restart their Mac without losing data. These methods include:

First. Quit All Ongoing Programs

The most prominent reason for Mac won't restart concerns is the system's problematic ongoing processes. To resolve this, you can quit the different ongoing programs on your Mac device by following these steps:

1. Press the Command + Option + Esc keys simultaneously to open the Force Quit Applications window.
2. In the Force Quit Applications window, select the application you want to quit and click the 'Force Quit' button.
3. Repeat the process for any other applications that may be causing the issue.

   Step 1. To close an active app on a Mac, click on the app's name in the menu bar, and select Quit. This will exit the app and return you to the desktop.

   

   Step 2. To close different apps using Mission Control Plus, activate it at login and press "Option + ⌘ + W" to close all active apps at once.

   

   Second. Recover Mac Data and Save them to Another Location

   If your Mac won't restart after an update, you can try to recover your system data and save it to another location. You can use Time Machine to create a backup of your data or schedule regular backups, which can be useful in case your Mac won't restart.

   • Press the Command + R keys on your keyboard to restart your Mac in recovery mode. This will allow you to access the recovery partition and perform various system-related tasks.
   • Press the power button on your Mac until you see the Apple logo and the macOS utilities screen appear.

   

   To restore your data, select the disk you want to restore the data to, and then complete the backup process.

   

   If you're in need of a quick solution for data recovery, Deep Data Recovery Mac is the way to go. Qiling Mac data recovery software can recover data from hard drives due to accidental deletion, emptied trash bins, malware, or other system issues, making it the perfect solution for your data recovery needs.

   • The software can recover various types of files, including documents, photos, videos, music, and more, with a quick and efficient process.
   • This software offers various features such as scan mode, file filter, file preview, bootable media, data protection, recovery to the cloud, and remote IT support, among others.
   • The newly introduced version 13.7 offers optimized use of different features.
   • The process works efficiently in just three steps: locate, scan, and recover.
   • Free Download
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   Step 1. Select file types and click "Next" to start

   Launch Deep Data Recovery on your Windows computer. Select the file types you want to recover and click "Next" to begin the recovery process.

   

   Step 2. Select the location

   Select the disk where you lost data after updating to macOS Ventura/Monterey/Big Sure/Catalina. Then, click "Search for lost files".

   

   Step 3. Find lost data after the scan

   Deep Data Recovery for Mac scans the selected disk volume, displaying the results in the left pane, allowing users to locate wanted data using file type and file path.

   

   Step 4. Recover data after macOS update

   Select the target files that were unknowingly lost during or after the update and click the "Recover" button to recover them.

   • Free Download
   • Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

   Mac users can quickly download Deep Data Recovery to eliminate data loss cases, but the root cause of restart issues needs to be identified.

   Common Reasons for Mac Not Starting in Safe Mode

   Mac restarting problems can be a sign of underlying device issues. Some common causes include software conflicts, overheating, hardware failures, outdated operating system, and corrupted system files. These issues can lead to frequent restarts, shutdowns, or even complete system crashes.

   • Malware or virus in the system
   • Broken power button
   • Failing hardware, including RAM or hard drives
   • Poorly coded or corrupted plug-ins or add-ons
   • Mac is waiting for the application to finish

   6 Ways to Fix Mac Won't Restart After Update

   It's easy for users to prevent data loss after restarting Mac with ongoing program quitting and recovering Mac data using Deep Data Recovery. After going through the data recovery process, your Mac is ready for fixes. To solve the Mac won't restart issue, it all comes down to the main fixes, starting with the easy and quick methods.

   Fix 1. Force to Restart Mac to Fix Mac Won't Restart

   If your Mac is frozen and won't restart normally, you can try forcing a restart. Due to the frozen screen, normal restarting is hard, so users need to force restart Mac to solve the Mac won't restart issues. The quick steps for the same are:

   Step 1. To force a Mac to restart, hold down the "Control + Command + Power Button" for Macs with a power button, or press and hold the "Eject/Touch ID button + Control + Command" for Macs without a power button.

   Step 2. Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to force restart.

   

   Step 3. Wait until the screen turns black and the device starts.

   Fix 2. Reset the NVRAM or PRAM to Make Mac Start Again

   Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) is a unique memory section on Macs that stores settings for quick access. In older Mac devices, this is referred to as Perimeter RAM (PRAM). Resetting NVRAM or PRAM can resolve issues such as a Mac not restarting after an update, and the process involves a few quick steps.

   Step 1. Press the power button and hold the Option (Alt) + Command + P + R keys for at least 20 seconds.

   

   Step 2. Release the keys on hearing the startup sound for the second time, or if your Mac has a T2 chip, after the Apple logo disappears for the second time.

   Fix 3. Boot Your Mac in Safe Mode to Fix Mac Won't Restart

   Safe mode on Mac is a troubleshooting option that scans the startup disk for viruses and attempts to fix any issues found. It's a useful solution for resolving problems like a Mac not restarting after updating to Monterey. To boot a Mac device in safe mode, follow these quick steps:

   Step 1. Turn off the Mac and force shut down if required.

   Step 2. Click the power button and hold down the "Shift" key until you see the login window with the words "Safe Boot" appear.

   

   Step 3. Press the Apple logo and restart the Mac device.

   Fix 4. Enter Recovery Mode and Run Disk Utility

   Mac devices have a Recovery partition on their hard drives, which allows for quick access to repair tools. This partition boots independently of the full macOS and provides a straightforward process for computer repair.

   • Press the power button.
   • Press and hold the "Command and R" keys.
   • A new "macOS Utilities" menu will appear after booting is complete.

   

   Run the built-in "Disk Utility" on your Mac, select the drive you want to repair, and click "First Aid" to initiate the repair process.

   Fix 5. Reset System Management Controller (SMC) to Fix Mac Won't Restart

   To fix a MacBook Air that won't restart, you can try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC), a proven solution that not only resolves restart issues but also addresses problems with USB, backlight, and fan speed. To reset the SMC, follow these quick steps:

   Step 1. Press the "Apple" icon in the menu bar's upper-left corner.

   

   Step 2. Press "Shut Down."

   

   Step 3. Press and hold the Shift, Ctrl, and Option keys while pressing the Power button. This is the key combination to force restart your Mac.

   

   Step 4. Release the button after fifteen seconds and restart Mac.

   Fix 6. Run Apple Diagnostics to Fix Your Mac

   To troubleshoot Mac won't restart issues, run the Apple diagnostics on your Mac device. This quick test can identify different hardware issues and provide test results with suggested fixes. If Apple diagnostics generates a reference code, you can look it up on the Apple Diagnostics page or explore Mac support options. For Macs released before June 2013, you can run the Apple Hardware Test instead.

   

   To run the Apple Diagnostics tool, go to your computer's Utilities folder, click on the "Diagnostics" app, and follow the on-screen instructions to run the test. The tool will automatically run a series of tests to identify any hardware or software issues and provide a detailed report of the results.

   • Start by disconnecting the external devices like printers while leaving the monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc. Next, unplug the power cord from the back of the computer tower.
   • Click the power button.
   • To change the language on a Mac, click and hold the "D" key until the Mac asks you to select the language.
   • Run Apple Diagnostics on your Mac in Recovery Mode

   

   Conclusion

   Mac won't restart after an update error? Don't worry, whether you're a beginner or a pro, it's easy to resolve. Simply quit all ongoing programs and use a data recovery software like Qiling Mac to recover deleted files from your Mac without losing any data.

   If your Mac won't restart after an update, there are several quick fixes to try. You can try a force restart, resetting NVRAM or PRAM, or booting in Safe mode. Alternatively, you can enter recovery mode, run disk utility, reset the SMC, or run Apple diagnostics to resolve the issue. For a more detailed solution, you can refer to our guide for troubleshooting Mac restart problems after an update.

   Mac Won't Start in Safe Mode FAQs

   Mac users can resolve the "Mac won't restart" issue by following a guide. However, they may also want to know answers to common questions related to their Mac not starting in Safe Mode, such as what to do when the Mac won't start in Safe Mode, how to troubleshoot the issue, and what are the possible causes of the problem.

   1. How to downgrade from macOS Venture to Monterey?

   Users can quickly downgrade from macOS Venture to Monterey using a bootable installer, which can be created to downgrade an Intel Mac, while Macs with Apple Silicon can be downgraded quickly.

   2. How to fix macOS 13 Ventura upgrade failure?

   If your macOS 13 Ventura upgrade fails, there are some quick fixes you can try. These include. (Note: I removed the link as it was not provided in the original text)

   • Resetting NVRAM
   • Rebooting Mac in Safe Mode
   • Restart Mac
   • To check if your Mac is compatible with macOS 13 Ventura upgrade, you can visit the Apple website and use their compatibility tool. Simply click on the "System Requirements" tab and enter your Mac's model number to see if it meets the necessary requirements for the upgrade.
   • Check if Mac has enough memory space
   • Try re-download and reinstalling of macOS 13 Ventura upgrade.

   3. How do I restart my Mac in Safe Mode?

   To restart your Mac in Safe Mode, follow these simple steps: you can easily do this by restarting your Mac and immediately holding down the Shift key as the computer boots up. This will prevent any third-party kernel extensions from loading, allowing you to troubleshoot and identify issues with your system.

   • Turn off Mac
   • Immediately press and hold the "Shift" key until the login window appears. This will allow you to boot in safe mode.
   • Log in to Mac
   • The "Safe Boot" option will appear in the first or second login window.

   4. Why is my Mac stuck on the restart screen?

   Mac may be stuck on the restart screen, and all you need to do is:

   • Start by pressing and holding Mac's power button for up to ten seconds until Mac turns off
   • Turn on Mac, and the issue should've been resolved.

   5. How do I know if my Mac update is stuck?

   A Mac can become stuck on the Apple logo due to various reasons, including outdated drivers or malware. If your Mac is unresponsive or a frozen Apple logo appears, it's likely that the update is stuck.

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