How to Force Restart a Mac That Cannot Restart or Shut Down

There could be a few different reasons why your Mac won't restart. Some potential causes include open programs or apps preventing the restart, problems with startup settings or hardware-related issues, or underlying software problems. To fix this issue, you can try closing open programs, restarting in Safe Mode, resetting the NVRAM, or reinstalling macOS.

If you are having trouble restarting your Mac, there are a few potential solutions you can try. Here are the steps to take if your Mac won't restart:

1. First, check to see if any applications are preventing your Mac from restarting. If you have any open programs or apps, try closing them to see if that fixes the issue.
2. If that doesn't work, try restarting your Mac in Mac Safe Mode. This will disable any third-party apps and services that might be causing problems. To restart your Mac in Safe Mode, follow these steps:

• Shut down your Mac
• Turn it back on and immediately press and hold the Shift key
• Release the Shift key when you see the login window
• Log in with your user account and password
• Once you are logged in, try restarting your Mac again

3. If your Mac still won't restart, try resetting the NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) on your Mac. This can help resolve issues with startup settings and other hardware-related problems. To reset the NVRAM on your Mac, follow these steps:

• Shut down your Mac
• Turn it back on and immediately press and hold the Option, Command, P, and R keys
• Release the keys after about 20 seconds, or when you hear the second startup chime
• Your Mac will restart and the NVRAM will be reset

4. If none of these solutions work, it may be worth trying to reinstall macOS on your Mac. This can help resolve any underlying software issues that may be preventing your Mac from restarting properly. To reinstall macOS, follow these steps:

• Shut down your Mac and disconnect any external devices
• Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Command and R keys
• Release the keys when you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe
• Select "Reinstall macOS" from the macOS Utilities window
• Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS on your Mac

If you are still having trouble restarting your Mac, you may need to seek help from an Apple support representative or a local Apple-authorized service provider. They can diagnose the problem and help you find a solution.