Do you own an iMac and want to master the art of turning it off seamlessly? While seemingly trivial, knowing the proper way to power down your iMac is crucial for maintaining its longevity and performance. Improper shutdowns can lead to data loss, system errors, or even hardware damage. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the various methods to turn off your iMac, ensuring a safe and effortless process every time.
Firstly, let’s explore the standard method of powering down your iMac. Locate the Apple menu situated in the top-left corner of your screen. Hover your cursor over the menu and select “Shut Down” from the drop-down options. The iMac will begin the shutdown process, closing all open applications and saving any unsaved changes. Once the shutdown is complete, the iMac will display a black screen, indicating that it is powered off. This method is recommended for most situations, as it ensures a clean and orderly shutdown.
In certain instances, you may encounter situations where the standard shutdown procedure is not feasible. For example, if your iMac becomes unresponsive or freezes, you will need to perform a forced shutdown. To do this, press and hold the power button on the back of your iMac for approximately 10 seconds. The iMac will forcibly power off, regardless of its current state. While this method is effective in resolving system issues, it should be used sparingly, as it can lead to data loss if unsaved changes are present. Additionally, avoid using the power button to turn off your iMac during normal operation, as this can cause premature wear and tear on the button.
Shut Down the iMac Using the Apple Menu
The Apple menu, located at the top-left corner of the screen, provides a convenient way to shut down your iMac. Here are the steps to follow:
- Click on the Apple menu icon.
- Select “Shut Down…” from the drop-down menu.
- A confirmation dialog will appear. Click on the “Shut Down” button to proceed.
Additional Details:
- Using the Keyboard Shortcut: You can also shut down your iMac using the keyboard shortcut "Command (⌘) + Q." Simply press these keys simultaneously to initiate the shutdown process.
- Force Quit Applications: If any applications are running and preventing your iMac from shutting down, you can force them to quit using the "Force Quit Applications" dialog. To access this dialog, press "Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + Esc" or click on the Apple menu and select "Force Quit Applications."
- Safe Shutdown: To perform a safe shutdown, hold down the "Shift" key while selecting "Shut Down…" from the Apple menu. This will prevent any unsaved changes from being lost but may take longer than a regular shutdown.
Use the Power Button to Turn Off the iMac
The power button on the iMac is located on the back of the computer, on the right side, beside the power connector.
To turn off the iMac using the power button, follow these steps:
1. Make sure that all applications are closed.
2. Press and hold the power button until the screen goes black and the computer shuts down. Depending on the model of your iMac, it may take a few seconds for the computer to shut down.
3. Once the computer is off, you can release the power button.
Additional Information
Here are some additional tips for using the power button to turn off the iMac:
- If the power button is not working, you can try resetting the SMC (System Management Controller). To do this, unplug the iMac from power, wait 15 seconds, then plug it back in. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release it.
- If the iMac is frozen and you cannot shut it down normally, you can force it to shut down by pressing and holding the power button for 5 seconds. This will cause the iMac to lose any unsaved data, so be sure to save your work before doing this.
- You can also turn off the iMac using the keyboard shortcut Control+Option+Command+Power Button.
Schedule an Automatic Shutdown
Scheduling an automatic shutdown can be a convenient way to ensure that your iMac turns off at a specific time, even if you forget. Here are the steps to set up an automatic shutdown:
1. Open System Preferences
Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.” This will open the System Preferences window, where you can configure various settings for your Mac.
2. Select “Energy Saver”
In the System Preferences window, click on the “Energy Saver” icon. This will open the Energy Saver preferences pane, where you can control your iMac’s power settings.
3. Set the Shutdown Time
In the Energy Saver preferences pane, you will see a section labeled “Schedule.” Click on the “Schedule” button to open the Schedule panel. Here, you can set the time at which you want your iMac to automatically shut down. You can also choose to have your iMac shut down on specific days of the week or every day. Once you have set the desired shutdown time and days, click on the “OK” button to save your changes.
| Steps | Details |
|---|---|
| Open System Preferences | Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.” |
| Select “Energy Saver” | In the System Preferences window, click on the “Energy Saver” icon. |
| Set the Shutdown Time | In the Energy Saver preferences pane, click on the “Schedule” button to open the Schedule panel. Set the desired shutdown time and days, then click on the “OK” button to save your changes. |
Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup, a feature introduced in macOS Sierra, speeds up the boot process by saving a snapshot of your system’s kernel and loaded apps to your Mac’s storage device upon shutdown. However, this can interfere with some troubleshooting processes and software installations.
To disable Fast Startup:
- Click the Apple menu, then choose “System Preferences.”
- Click “Energy Saver.”
- Untick the box next to “Enable Power Nap while on battery power.”
- Untick the box next to “Enable Fast Startup.”
Advanced Settings For Power Nap And Fast Startup
Fast Startup and Power Nap are two energy-saving features that can affect the iMac’s behavior during sleep. Here’s a detailed explanation of their settings and how they impact the device:
| Setting | Effect |
|---|---|
| Enable Power Nap while on battery power | Allows the Mac to perform certain background tasks, such as checking for software updates or making Time Machine backups, while in sleep mode on battery power. |
| Enable Power Nap while plugged into a power adapter | Allows the Mac to perform the same background tasks as above while in sleep mode when connected to a power outlet. |
| Enable Fast Startup | Improves boot-up time by saving a snapshot of the system’s kernel and loaded apps to the storage device upon shutdown. However, it can interfere with certain troubleshooting procedures and software installations. |
Reset the SMC (System Management Controller)
The SMC is a chip on the logic board that controls various low-level functions on your iMac, including power management. Resetting the SMC can sometimes resolve issues with starting up, sleeping, or shutting down your iMac.
Models with T2 Security Chip:
- Turn off your iMac.
- Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
- Wait 5 seconds and then press the power button to turn on your iMac.
Models without T2 Security Chip:
- Turn off your iMac.
- Press and hold the following keys simultaneously for 10 seconds: Shift + Control + Option + Power button
- Wait 5 seconds and then press the power button to turn on your iMac.
| Model | SMC Reset Key Combination |
|---|---|
| iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015) | Shift + Control + Option + Power button |
| iMac (27-inch, Late 2015) | Shift + Control + Option + Power button |
| iMac (21.5-inch, 2017) | Shift + Control + Option + Power button |
| iMac (27-inch, 2017) | Shift + Control + Option + Power button |
| iMac (21.5-inch, 2019) | Shift + Control + Option + Power button |
| iMac (27-inch, 2019) | Shift + Control + Option + Power button |
Additional Notes:
* If you’re still having issues starting up your iMac after resetting the SMC, you may need to take it to an Apple Store or Authorized Apple Service Provider for further diagnostics.
* Resetting the SMC will not affect your personal data or settings.
Reset the PRAM (Parameter RAM)
The PRAM (Parameter RAM) stores settings such as the startup disk, time zone, and display resolution. Resetting the PRAM can resolve certain issues, such as when the Mac fails to boot properly or the display settings are incorrect.
- Shut down the Mac.
- Press the power button to turn it on.
- Immediately press and hold the following keys simultaneously: Command + Option + P + R.
- Continue holding the keys until you hear the startup chime three times.
- Release the keys.
- The Mac will restart and the PRAM will be reset.
Note: Resetting the PRAM may cause some settings to revert to their default values. It’s recommended to note down important settings, such as Wi-Fi passwords, before performing this procedure.
Additional Information:
| Key Combination | Effect |
|---|---|
| Command + Option + P + R | Resets the PRAM |
Enter Safe Mode and Turn Off
To enter Safe Mode on your iMac, press and hold the Shift key while your computer starts up. You’ll see the Apple logo and a progress bar appear on the screen. Keep holding the Shift key until the login window appears. In Safe Mode, some of the features and programs that normally run on your Mac won’t be available.
Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can restart your Mac the usual way by clicking the Apple menu and selecting Restart. If your iMac still won’t turn off, you may need to force it to shut down.
Force Shut Down
| Use this method | When |
|---|---|
| Press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds | If your iMac is frozen or not responding |
| Press and hold the Control + Command + Eject keys for 5 seconds | If your iMac is on and responds to commands, but you can’t use the Apple menu to shut down |
| Unplug the power cord from your iMac | If the above methods don’t work |
Warning: Force quitting your iMac can cause data loss. Make sure to save all your work before force quitting.
Use the Terminal Command
To turn off your iMac using the Terminal, follow these steps:
- Open the Terminal application. You can find it in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.
- Type the following command into the Terminal window:
- Press the Return key.
- You will be prompted to enter your password. Enter your password and press the Return key.
- Your iMac will begin to shut down.
- Once your iMac has shut down, you can unplug it from the power outlet.
sudo shutdown -h now
Note: You can also use the Terminal command to restart your iMac. To do this, type the following command into the Terminal window:
sudo shutdown -r now
Then, press the Return key and enter your password.
Additional Notes:
Here are a few additional notes about using the Terminal command to turn off your iMac:
- You must have administrator privileges to use the Terminal command to turn off your iMac.
- The sudo command allows you to run a command with administrator privileges.
- The shutdown command has a number of options that you can use to control how your iMac shuts down.
For more information about the shutdown command, type the following command into the Terminal window:
man shutdown
Then, press the Return key.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -h | Halt the system and power down. |
| -r | Restart the system. |
| -s | Stop the system and put it into standby mode. |
| -poweroff | Power off the system. |
| -reboot | Restart the system. |
| -halt | Halt the system. |
Force Restart the iMac
There are several methods to force restart an iMac. Here’s a detailed guide on each method:
Method 1: Using the Power Button
Locate the power button on the back or side of your iMac. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
Method 2: Using Shortcut Keys
Press and hold the Command (⌘), Control (⌃), and Power buttons simultaneously for about 10 seconds.
Method 3: Using Terminal
Open the Terminal application. Enter the following command and press Return:
| Command |
|---|
| sudo shutdown -r now |
Enter your administrator password when prompted.
Method 4: Unplugging the Power Cord
Unplug the power cord from the back of the iMac. Wait for a few seconds and then plug it back in.
Method 5: Resetting the SMC
Disconnect all peripherals from the iMac. Locate the power button and press and hold it for 10 seconds. Continue holding the power button while plugging the power cord back in. Continue holding the power button for an additional 5 seconds.
Method 6: Resetting the NVRAM
Shut down the iMac. Locate the Command (⌘), Option (⌥), P, and R keys on the keyboard. Press and hold these keys immediately after turning on the iMac. Continue holding them until the iMac restarts and you hear the startup chime a second time.
Method 7: Using Recovery Mode
Restart the iMac and immediately hold down the Command (⌘) and R keys until the Apple logo appears.
Method 8: Using Target Disk Mode
Connect the iMac to another Mac using a Thunderbolt cable. Start up the iMac in Target Disk Mode by holding down the T key on the keyboard as the iMac starts up.
Method 9: Using an External Display
If your iMac has a built-in display but you can’t see anything on it, you can connect an external display to your iMac. Once you connect the external display, you can try to restart your iMac using any of the methods mentioned above. If you can see the login screen or desktop on the external display, it means that your iMac is working properly and the issue is with the built-in display.
Power Button
Press the power button on the back of the iMac. It’s usually located near the bottom of the device. A progress bar will appear on the screen and the iMac will begin to shut down.
Menu Bar
Click on the Apple menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen and select “Shut Down.”
Keyboard Shortcut
Press Command + Option + Control + Eject to shut down the iMac.
Terminal
Open Terminal and type the following command:
sudo shutdown now
Press Enter and the iMac will begin to shut down.
Safe Mode
Restart the iMac and hold down the Shift key while it boots. This will start the iMac in Safe Mode. Once in Safe Mode, you can select “Shut Down” from the Apple menu.
Power Cycle
If the iMac is frozen, you may need to power cycle it. To do this, unplug the iMac’s power cord, wait a few seconds, and then plug it back in.
SMC Reset
If the power cycle doesn’t work, you may need to reset the System Management Controller (SMC). To do this, follow these steps:
1. Shut down the iMac.
2. Unplug the iMac’s power cord.
3. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
4. Release the power button and plug the iMac’s power cord back in.
5. Start the iMac.
NVRAM Reset
If the SMC reset doesn’t work, you may need to reset the NVRAM. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Shut down the iMac.
2. Unplug the iMac’s power cord.
3. Press and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys.
4. Plug the iMac’s power cord back in and continue to hold the keys.
5. Release the keys after about 20 seconds.
6. Start the iMac.
Apple Diagnostics
If you’re having trouble shutting down the iMac, you can try using Apple Diagnostics. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Shut down the iMac.
2. Disconnect all external devices except for the keyboard, mouse, and power cord.
3. Press and hold the D key while starting the iMac.
4. Release the D key when you hear the chime.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to run Apple Diagnostics.
Contact Apple Support
If you’re still having trouble shutting down the iMac, you can contact Apple Support. They can provide you with further assistance.
| Contact Method | Phone | Chat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support Hours | 9am-7pm EST | 9am-7pm EST | 24/7 |
| Website | www.apple.com/support | www.apple.com/support/contact | www.apple.com/support/contact |
How To Turn Off An Imac
The iMac is an all-in-one computer from Apple that combines the computer, monitor, and speakers into a single device. To turn off an iMac, follow these steps:
- Click on the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Select “Shut Down” from the menu.
- Click on the “Shut Down” button in the confirmation dialog box.
The iMac will now begin to shut down. The process may take a few minutes, depending on how many programs are running.
People Also Ask
How to turn off an iMac without a mouse or keyboard?
If you don’t have a mouse or keyboard, you can turn off your iMac by using the following steps:
- Press and hold the power button on the back of the iMac for about 10 seconds.
- The iMac will now shut down.
How to force restart an iMac?
If your iMac is frozen or unresponsive, you can force restart it by using the following steps:
- Press and hold the power button on the back of the iMac for about 10 seconds.
- The iMac will now restart.
