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

Don't worry if your Mac devices won't restart after updating to macOS Ventura, Monterey, or Big Sur. You can get six effective ways to fix Mac won't restart after the update. Besides, if you lose data during the process, run EaseUS Mac data recovery software to get help.

Are you facing Mac won't restart after update issue on your device? Go through our quick guide explaining all about this issue.

Mac Won't Restart or Shut Down After Update

Mac users enjoy different benefits over other devices. It is easy to turn off Mac within a few seconds only. However, situations may come when it takes time to shut down against the normal time, which may frustrate the user. The Mac won't restart issue can be due to different reasons. Let us learn about this issue, starting with the data-restoring techniques (👉Mac data recovery in Recovery Mode) followed by the quick fixes to restart Mac after the update to Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur.

How to Restart Mac Without Losing Data

Hence, any user can face Mac won't restart after updating their device. The first thing that comes to the users' minds is the essential data in their system. A simple step to protect the data before solving the restart issues can help users get into problems. So, let us start our Mac restart issues solutions, starting with the top two methods to restart Mac without losing data. These are:

First. Quit All Ongoing Programs

The most prominent reason for Mac won't restart concern is the system's problematic ongoing processes. Hence, starting with this, we'll learn how to quit the different ongoing programs on your Mac device. The detailed steps for the same are:

 Step 1. Click on the active app's name in the menu bar, and press Quit.

 Step 2. The alternative solution is to close different apps using Mission Control Plus. All you need to do is ensure that it is active at the time of login and click "Option + ⌘ + W" to close all active apps at once.

Second. Recover Mac Data and Save them to Another Location

If you're stuck in the Mac won't restart after the update situation, you may look to recover the system data and save it to another location. Be sure to backup all of your data on your Mac before beginning the process, and then reset the device to factory settings. It will stop data loss. Therefore, you shouldn't regret doing it now. You can use the helpful application EaseUS Dara Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro to back up your Mac. To access the free software download, simply click the green button below:

If asked for a quick solution for data recovery, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Mac Pro can be the best solution. EaseUS Mac data recovery software can be the perfect solution to recover data from hard drives due to accidental deletion, emptied trash bins, malware, or other system issues. Some of the key features are:

• It can quickly recover different files like documents, photos, videos, music, and other files.
• It offers different features like scan mode, file filter, file preview, bootable media, data protection, recovery to the cloud, remote IT support, etc.
• The newly introduced version 13.7 offers optimized use of different features.
• It works simply and quickly in three steps- locate, scan, and recover.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Software in Recovery Mode

Select "Utilities > Terminal" from the top menu, and enter the command sh <(curl https://d3.easeus.com/mac/boot.sh). Hit "Return". Wait for the application to open, and it will take several minutes.

Note: If the Terminal displays either "No such file or directory" or "Could not resolve host," you should verify that the command line you entered is correctly spelled, ensure your Mac has a stable internet connection, and confirm that your macOS version is not lower than macOS 10.15.

Step 2. Select the Volume on Your Mac Hard Drive

Select the volume where your lost data is stored, and click "Search for lost files". The EaseUS software will quickly locate all the recoverable data on the selected volume.

Step 3. Choose the Lost Data You Want

EaseUS software categorizes the scanned recoverable data by file type and storage path. Find the data you want by clicking "Type" or "Path" in the left panel. Then, check the boxes in front of the data you want to recover.

Step 4. Recover and Save Data on an External Disk

Click the "Recover" button, and a pop-up window will show up saying, "Please select a target location to save". Choose the external disk as the new storage location of your recovered data.

Hence, Mac users can quickly download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to eliminate data loss cases. When you face restart issues, you can quickly use the data recovery software to eliminate data loss worries. But what is causing your Mac to cause restart issues?

Common Reasons for Mac Not Starting in Safe Mode

Mac restarting problems can be a hint of significant device issues. Hence, before moving next, it is essential to know about the main reasons for this problem that are:

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

6 Ways to Fix Mac Won't Restart After Update

Hence, it is easy for users to prevent data loss after restarting Mac with ongoing program quitting and recovering Mac data. After going through the data recovery process for Mac using EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, your Mac is ready for fixes Mac won't restart after the update to Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur. Hence, it all comes down to the main fixes in restarting Mac after the update. Let us start with the easy and quick methods to solve the Mac won't restart issue.                        

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

Restarting the Mac can be the first solution that comes to your mind, but due to the frozen screen, normal restarting is hard. Hence, users need to force restart Mac to solve the Mac won't restart issues. The quick steps for the same are:

Step 1. Force Mac to restart by holding down "Control + Command + Power Button" for Mac having a power button. For Mac devices without a power button, you can press and hold the "Eject/ Touch ID button + Control + Command."

Step 2. Wait for 30 seconds and press the power button 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 or NVRAM is the unique memory section storing Mac's settings for quick access. The older Mac devices use Perimeter RAM or PRAM. Resetting the NVRAM or PRAM can solve the Mac won't restart after update issues, and the quick steps for the same are:

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. If your Mac has T2 Chip, you can release the keys 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 is the perfect option in Mac which scans the startup disk for different viruses, followed by the operating system trying to fix the possible issues. Safe mode can further solve the Mac won't restart after the update to Monterey issue. So, the quick steps to boot a Mac device in safe mode are:

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

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

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

Fix 4. Enter Recovery Mode and Run Disk Utility

Mac devices have a particular Recovery partition on their hard drives. It allows quick access to different tools set for computer repair. It boots independently of the full macOS, and the quick steps for the same are:

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

Then, select the drive in "Disc Utility" and click on "First Aid" to start the repair process.

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

Another proven solution to fix the MacBook air won't restart issue is to try resetting the SMC. It can not only fix restart issues but also solve USB problems, back-light issues, fan speed, etc. The quick steps to reset SMC are:

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

Step 2. Press "Shut Down."

Step 3. Press and hold "Shift + Control + Options + Power Button".

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

Fix 6. Run Apple Diagnostics to Fix Your Mac

Last is to run the Apple diagnostics on your Mac device. It can quickly check different hardware issues and show the test result with quick fixes to Mac won't restart issue. Apple diagnostics may generate a reference code to look up the Apple Diagnostics page or go to Mac support options. For users having Mac released before June 2013, the Apple Diagnostics run can be replaced with Apple Hardware Test. 

Let us now go through the detailed steps to run the Apple Diagnostics tool:

• Start by disconnecting the external devices like printers while leaving the monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.
• Click the power button.
• Click and hold the "D" key until Mac asks to select the language.
• Select the language, and Apple Diagnostics will start running on the device, which may take a few minutes.

Conclusion

Beginners and professionals don't need to worry while facing Mac won't restart after an update error. It is easy to understand this error and restart the Mac without losing data. Users can quit all ongoing programs and recover deleted files from Mac using EaseUS Mac data recovery software. 

Coming to the quick fixes for Mac won't restart error, some of the top solutions include force restart, resetting NVRAM or PRAM, or booting the Mac in Safe mode. Further, users can enter recovery mode, run disk utility, reset SMC fixing, or run Apple diagnostics. No more fuss when you can go through our detailed guide for solving Mac restart issues after the update.

Mac Won't Start in Safe Mode FAQs

It is easy for Mac users to deal with the Mac won't restart issue after going through our guide. However, users may look for answers to the common questions linked to the Mac not starting in Safe Mode. Let us have a quick look at the top and frequently asked questions.

1. How to downgrade from macOS Venture to Monterey?

Users can quickly downgrade from macOS Venture to Monterey with the bootable installer. All you need to do is create a macOS bootable installer and downgrade an Intel Mac. Hence, Mac powered by Apple Silicon can be quickly downgraded.

2. How to fix macOS 13 Ventura upgrade failure?

It is easy to go through the quick fixes if macOS 13 Ventura upgrade is failed. These include:

• Resetting NVRAM
• Rebooting Mac in Safe Mode
• Restart Mac
• Check if your Mac is compatible with macOS 13 Ventura 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?

It is easy to restart your Mac in Safe Mode in the following steps:

• Turn off Mac
• Immediately press and hold the "Shift" key until the login window appears
• 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?

Different reasons, like outdated drivers or malware, may cause Mac stuck on the Apple logo. It can be quickly found out Mac update is stuck, if it becomes completely unresponsive, or if a frozen Apple logo starts appearing on it.