MacBook keeps restarting over and over? Almost all users face this problem, no matter the model. Luckily, there are several solutions to this common occurrence.
In this article, I’ll discuss the possible reasons behind this reboot loop—and the best ways to fix them. With this, your MacBook will be back to normal in no time.
Why Does My MacBook Keep Restarting?
A MacBook that keeps restarting indicates a kernel panic problem within its system. And here, the kernel is all that matters. After all, it’s the core of its operating system. So it’s likely that software problems are behind this reboot loop.
However, at times, hardware issues may also be the culprit.
To give you more in-depth insight, here are the most common reasons why MacBook keeps restarting over and over:
❗Outdated MacOS
At times, a missed update on your MacOs can cause problems with your MacBook’s settings. And this disrupts the update process, confusing the system resulting in repeated reboots. Besides this, an update problem may also be a possible culprit. Either way, an outdated MacOS can bring your MacBook into a reboot loop. You may be interested in this post also: What Is the Best Microphone for Gaming
❗Faulty Software
Third-party apps you install might cause issues later on. Although not applicable to all, sometimes, an app’s code can make a request that the OS does not expect. And this can force the MacOS to restart in an attempt to resolve the confusing command.
In worst-case scenarios, some apps may make requests toward the underlying hardware.
Either way, this phenomenon is commonly known as kernel panic. It pops out a message upon reboot, saying, “Your computer was restarted because of a problem.”
However, don’t fret, as a kernel panic doesn’t mean there’s irreversible damage. But it does state that you need to make some changes—especially if your software is the one causing the problem.
❗Malfunctioning Peripheral Devices
Another common reason behind reboot loops on MacBooks is faulty peripheral devices. These can lead to a kernel panic on startup or after a few minutes after restarting the Mac.
❗A Recent Update
Sometimes your MacBook might not have any intrinsic problems at all. However, a recent update or change may cause issues on startup, leading to kernel panic. When this occurs, it might restrict access to anything besides its login screen.
❗There’s a Flaw in the MacOS
A kernel panic can become deeply rooted in the MacOs. The entire system can become faulty when this happens, leading to several reboots. And when you leave this unaddressed, this can lead to faulty hardware—shutting down your whole MacBook.
Fixing the MacBook Reboot Loop
✅ Remove All Peripheral Devices, then Reconnect
If you use peripheral devices that aren’t compatible with your MacBook’s OS, it can cause a reboot loop. Besides this, viruses on peripheral devices may also lead to restarts. Either way, there’s only one solution to this: disconnect all peripheral devices.
I recommend removing everything except your mouse and keyboard if you use any. After, restart your laptop to see if a pop-up error message shows up. If not, you can reconnect each device at a time to see which one is the culprit.
If you’re using a third-party RAM or other hardware systems other than Apple, they might be the reason behind the restart loop.
Here’s how you can address this:
- Remove all third-party RAMs.
- Connect your Apple RAM and restart the laptop.
- Troubleshoot the device.
If no issues pop out, the third-party RAM is definitely the issue. You can just use an extra Apple RAM to remove the issue permanently.
✅ Update
If removing peripheral devices didn’t work, there might be a software issue. And a simple yet efficient solution to a MacBook that keeps restarting is updating it.
You may install any available update compatible with your MacBook. And this may take several reboots, especially if you’re behind on updates. However, this is worthwhile as it can resolve your issue immediately.
But before updating your MacBook, I recommend backing up all necessary files. After all, you wouldn’t want to lose essential documents.
- Open your laptop, and click on the Apple icon.
- Look for System Preferences, then click it.
- If available, select Software Update.
- See which options you have. However, it should show ‘Update Now,’ ‘Upgrade Now,’ or entirely download a new OS version.
- Wait until the updates finish.
Sometimes, you need to update third-party software to address the reboot loop manually. So look for any third-party software your MacBook uses and check for updates. And if it doesn’t work, you can entirely remove these and restart the laptop.
If you can’t install the newest updates because your MacBook is old, I suggest upgrading. You can check out our best deals on laptops under $600.
✅ Restart in Safe Mode
If you downloaded third-party apps beyond the App Store, they might corrupt your MacOS. And this can lead to the dreaded reboot loop. Luckily, you can resolve the issue by doing the same thing, but with added measures.
You can reboot your MacBook into Safe Mode. During this mode, the laptop will only load limited software and drivers. It often restarts the device while isolating any third-party app.
Here’s how you can do this:
Intel-based Safe Mode Reboot
- Turn off your laptop for about 10 seconds.
- Reboot it in Safe Mode. Do this by pressing down Shift simultaneously until the login screen appears.
- Release Shift until you see your MacBook’s login window.
M1-based Safe Mode Reboot
- Turn off the MacBook for 10 seconds.
- Hold down your laptop’s power button until you see the startup options.
- Click on the startup disk, then hold down Shift.
- When the Safe Mode option pops out, click it and release Shift.
If none of these work, the third-party software might be the cause. And if this is the case for you, it’s best to uninstall the apps entirely.
✅ Disable Login or Startup Items
Some startup items or programs can hinder your Mac processor’s operations. That’s why you’ll notice frequent reboots when logging into your MacBook. Luckily, you can disable these startup items.
Go to Users & Groups utility and do the following:
- Startup the Apple menu and go to System Preferences.
- Click on Users & Groups, then look for your account.
- Once in your account, pick the Login Items tab to see your Startup Items.
- Remove all of them.
- Restart your MacBook.
✅ Run First Aid on the Startup Disk
If there’s an issue on your MacBook’s startup disks, reboot loops are bound to happen. Fortunately, you can run first aid through Disk Utility to find and repair these errors. But before this, you’ll need to reboot your MacBook in recovery mode.
Once done, don’t do any operations on the laptop while repairing. Doing so can corrupt your startup disk, leading to worse issues.
When it finishes checking, restart the MacBook, and the restart loop should be fixed by then.
✅ Free Up the MacBook’s Disk Space
You’ll need to have ample storage space if you want to maintain smooth and proper operations. Although it depends on the model, generally, you should have at least 15% of the free storage space left. Otherwise, your MacBook might get stuck in a loop of repeated reboots.
Here’s how you can free up disk space on your MacBook:
- Open your MacBook’s “Apple menu” and go to “About This Mac.”
- Go to storage and see if you have enough disk space.
- Delete unnecessary apps and tools if you don’t have enough space. You can also empty your trash.
After removing unnecessary fillers and getting ample space, reboot your MacBook.
✅ Run Maintenance Scripts
There are specific maintenance scripts that your MacBook runs to optimize. Running these helps address errors like the reboot loop. And in emergencies, you can force run maintenance scripts through third-party apps. These include trouble-shooting apps like the CleanMyMac X.
✅ Back Up Important Data and Reinstall MacOS
If nothing worked out for you, you might need to reinstall the entire MacOS. It may mean you have corrupted system files, whether due to a virus or incompatibility. Luckily, you can start anew by reinstalling the MacOS.
But don’t forget to back up your file and other data as reinstallation erases everything.
Here’s how to reinstall MacOS on your MacBook:
- When using an Intel-based Mac, press the R keys when rebooting. Otherwise, hold down the power button when restarting if you’re using an M1 Mac. Either way, click on the startup disk when you see the startup options.
- Click reinstall macOS from the utility windows.
- Follow the manual to get the latest version.
If this still doesn’t fix your MacBook, this may mean your Mac is having internal hardware problems. For this, you need to contact Apple for assistance.
✅ Contact Apple Support
If nothing is working out for you, I suggest contacting Apple Support. You can contact agents from authorized Apple providers like the Apple Store or Best Buy. However, set up an appointment first to help agents understand your specific issues. Either way, they can walk you through all the steps, addressing your reboot loop issue in no time.
Tips to Prevent MacBook keeps Restarting Over and Over
If you don’t want your MacBook to keep restarting, do the following prevention methods:
- Stay up-to-date. Keeping updated doesn’t only give you the newest features, but it also boosts security. Each update comes with the latest security patches that keep your systems operating. I suggest performing manual update checks every two weeks.
- Confirm software compatibility. Only use recommended software by Apple to ensure you don’t run into any issues. However, if you need third-party apps, see if it’s compatible with your MacBook first. After all, incompatibility can lead to kernel panic—and a reboot loop.
- Confirm hardware compatibility. Although not as sensitive as software, hardware compatibility is still crucial. So before buying any hardware for your MacBook, see if it’s compatible first.
- Stop using third-party apps. Not only do these pose the threat of incompatibility, but they may also contain viruses. That means a reboot loop will be the least of your worries. So I recommend avoiding using third-party apps on your MacBook unless completely necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the best solution if my MacBook keeps turning on and off?
A: Force the device to shut down by pressing the power button until it shutdowns the Mac. Doing so will restart the device, and this should solve the issue. However, if it doesn’t help, you can unplug other connected devices and update its MacOS.
Q: What does kernel panic mean on a MacBook?
A: When you’re experiencing an unrecoverable error in your MacOS, the OS will shut down the system. It then automatically restarts the laptop, preventing serious issues. Additionally, the OS will send an error message to your respective accounts. And this is what you call a kernel panic on a MacBook.
Q: How do I bring my MacBook out of the reboot loop?
A: The best way to bring your Mac out of this cycle is by pressing the Option + Command + P + R keys at the same. Do this as the device reboots for about 20 seconds. After this, reset the System Management Controller. It should bring your MacBook out of the dreaded reboot loop.
Q: How can I address kernel panic on my MacBook?
A: Peripheral devices may cause Kernel panic, and reconnecting these can help. If this doesn’t work, I recommend replacing them. And if your MacBook returns to normal operations and halts the reboot loop, you’ve likely fixed it.
Q: Should I worry about my MacBook experiencing kernel panic?
A: Although you can quickly resolve this issue, it’s best to prevent it in the first place. After all, a kernel panic can indicate several damaged hardware or incompatible systems. And these can lead to worse issues later on.
Final Thoughts
If your MacBook keeps restarting over and over, following the solutions above will help you address it in no time. If not, the manufacturer is always available to help. You can connect with Apple and ask for further details from there. Either way, fixing this reboot loop is possible, and all it takes is a little effort from your side.
