MacBook Won't Shut Down - Can't Access Safety or Recovery Mode

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Level 1

4 points

MacBook Won't Shut Down - Can't Access Safety or Recovery Mode

Hi Folks,

The problem I'm having is that my MacBook won't properly shut down. Even when I select 'Shut Down', the computer will boot up whenever I press any keys at all, or, indeed, if I just open the MacBook.

A surely related problem is that I can't access either Safety or Recovery mode. When I restart, or begin from 'Shut Down', it will not boot up in either of these modes regardless of what I press.

I note that I migrated this computer I bought from a work computer, for which I did not have hardware access. Also, when I recently migrated this Macbook to a new iMac, the iMac then had this problem too.

Any help would be appreciated!

PS: As I can't seem to change the tag, my computer is a 2023 14-inch MacBook Pro, and my OS is fully updated (14.1.1).

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Nov 25, 2023 1:14 AM

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Answer 1

chdsl

Level 2

396 points

Nov 26, 2023 12:39 AM in response to Tony_AH

Tony_AH wrote:

Hi folks, if anyone else has this problem, looks like the safety mode and recovery mode keyboard commands have changed.

At least for my new MacBook and iMac, the key to both is simply to hold down the power button until the option for startup comes up. For safety mode, press shift and hit the desktop. For recovery mode, hit settings, which will then take you to recovery mode.

Any info/link on this "changed" keyboard commands anywhere in the Apple websites?

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Answer 2

Tony_AH Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 25, 2023 5:15 PM in response to Tony_AH

Hi folks, if anyone else has this problem, looks like the safety mode and recovery mode keyboard commands have changed.

At least for my new MacBook and iMac, the key to both is simply to hold down the power button until the option for startup comes up. For safety mode, press shift and hit the desktop. For recovery mode, hit settings, which will then take you to recovery mode.

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Answer 3

chdsl

Level 2

396 points

Nov 25, 2023 2:19 AM in response to Tony_AH

Tony_AH wrote:

Even when I select 'Shut Down', the computer will boot up whenever I press any keys at all, or, indeed, if I just open the MacBook.

That's the way it is supposed to be. When you shut down your MacBook, don't touch any key, as pushing any key will boot it back. Shut down the Mac, close the lid, and it'll stay shut, until you open the lid. If you want to stop auto-boot, have a look here. Personally, I like auto-boot.

On the matter of safe mode,

Start up your Mac in safe mode – Apple Support (UK)

On recovery mode,

Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac – Apple Support (UK)

Use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon – Apple Support (UK)

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Answer 4

Tony_AH Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 25, 2023 2:52 AM in response to chdsl

Ah ok, good to know on the start up.

The issue remains, however, that I can't boot in either Safety of Recovery mode. I have, of course, followed these guides, but it simply boots as normal regardless of what keys I press whiel starting.

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Answer 5

Tony_AH Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 25, 2023 1:14 PM in response to chdsl

Ah cool, I didn't know about the change to safety mode. That's now working all fine.

But recovery mode is still not working for me. I'm shutting down and waiting for the requisite time. I'm pressing Command+R while starting; I'm pressing Command+Option+Shift+R while starting. I do so without hitting the power button at the same time (as it starts with any click); I do so with hitting the power button at the same time. It is not going to recovery mode.

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Answer 6

chdsl

Level 2

396 points

Nov 25, 2023 3:00 AM in response to Tony_AH

Have look. Safe mode

Recovery mode.

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MacBook Won't Shut Down - Can't Access Safety or Recovery Mode

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