How to Fix a Mac That Keeps Booting Into Safe Mode

Safe mode fixes common Mac issues caused by interfering problems, allowing the system to load without hindrance. But when stuck in safe mode, device drivers won’t load and basic functions are limited. If this happens repeatedly, something’s wrong and needs fixing. This article will teach you how to stop your Mac from constantly booting into safe mode.

How to Stop Mac From Booting Into Safe Mode

There are a few reasons why your computer is always booting into Safe Mode. This guide will discuss each of these reasons and show you the best way to deal with them.

1. Fix Stuck Shift Keys and Clean Your Keyboard

The process of booting into Safe Mode requires you to hold down the Shift key when you hear the startup sound. But if your Shift key is stuck, your Mac will probably boot in Safe Mode forever—unless you fix it.

The first thing you have to do when you encounter this problem is to check your keyboard. Sometimes it is not visibly obvious that your Shift key is stuck, so you need to check it manually. Press the Shift key and check if something looks, feels, or sounds weird. You can also try pressing some key combinations and see if it works. If not, then your Shift key might be faulty.

Dirt is the main cause of a faulty keyboard because these small particles accumulate under and in-between the keys. You can use a can of compressed air to blast around the keys to make sure that there is no dirt, lint or dust underneath them. For more keyboard-cleaning tips, you can follow this step-by-step guide on how to fix stuck keys on your Mac.

If you own a Mac that belongs to the 2016-2018 MacBook Pro lineup or the 2015-2017 MacBook line, checking your keyboard regularly is a must. Macs belonging to these groups are equipped with butterfly keyboards, which are famous for being problematic. Butterfly keys are notorious for getting randomly jammed or stuck because of dirt or debris.

Apple has even launched a tutorial on how to properly clean your keyboard, which requires holding it in various tilted positions while blowing the keys with compressed air.

Apple has also initiated the Keyboard Service Program for MacBook and MacBook Pro released from 2015 to 2017. The program was designed to service MacBook and MacBook Pro computers that experience keyboard problems such as sticky or unresponsive keys, characters not appearing or repeating unexpectedly. Just bring or send your Mac with a defective keyboard to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, and they will fix it for free.

Cleaning your Mac’s keyboard does not only help fix stuck keys, it also prevents other future problems. So, whether you think your Shift is stuck or not, checking your keyboard should be the first thing you should do if you’re looking for ways on how to stop Mac from booting into Safe Mode.

2. Clean Up Your Software

If you’ve been using your Mac for a while, files can get corrupted. Outbyte macAries could help you remove unnecessary files quickly. Evaluate whether this tool is the right fit for your situation.

3. Reset NVRAM/PRAM

If your Shift key is working just fine, the next thing you have to look at is your Mac’s NVRAM/PRAM. NVRAM or non-volatile random-access memory is a tiny amount of memory that retains information even when the computer’s power is turned off. It is where your computer stores some settings so they can be easily accessed. PRAM or parameter random access memory is the older version of NVRAM. The settings stored in NVRAM remain in place even after you reboot your Mac. Problems, such as continued booting in Safe Mode, happen when one of these settings gets corrupted or changed.

What you need to do is reset the NVRAM/PRAM on your Mac. To do this, follow these steps:

• Restart your Mac.
• Hold down this keyboard combination: Cmd + Option + R.
• Keep holding the keys until you hear the second boot chime, or until you see the Apple logo flicker twice.

That’s it! Your NVRAM/PRAM has been reset, and your Mac should boot up now in normal mode.

4. Reset SMC

If resetting the NVRAM/PRAM doesn’t work, you should also try resetting your Mac’s System Management Controller (SMC) to fix your reboot issue. Resetting your SMC helps restore some basic system functionality to your Mac, especially if you’re experiencing power or hardware-related issues.

To reset your SMC, do the following:

• Shut down your Mac and connect the power adapter.
• On your keyboard, hold down this combination (Shift + Control + Option) and the Power button at the same time.
• Release all the keys at the same time when you see the light on your adapter briefly change colors. This means that the SMC has been reset.
• Boot up your Mac as usual.

Conclusion:

Getting stuck in Safe Mode can be pretty annoying because there’s nothing you can do except for basic computer tasks. Hopefully, this guide has helped you in finding the perfect solution for your problem.