iCreate - UK (2021-07)

Step-by-step Check startup apps

macOS Shutdown errors

Startup and

shutdown

Many shutdown problems are caused by
apps that run automatically on startup. The
problem is finding which app it is, where or
when it is loading and how to stop it.
There are some obvious places to look for
apps that automatically start when you log
in to your Mac, but there are many non-
obvious places, too, and you must dig deep
into macOS to find them. Take care when
deleting startup items and always have a
backup just in case.

Sources of shutdown errors

Investigate the source of shutdown problems

1

Check Login Items

Open System Preferences>Users &

Groups>Login Items. Apps here automatically

start when you log in to your user account.

Select and remove apps and see if they help

with the problem. Restart the Mac afterwards.

Find the cause

Finding the cause of shutdown

problems is the best way to solve them.

Start the Mac, log in, wait a minute

or two and shut down. If there are

problems then the cause is something

loading at login. If it’s okay, run an app,

then shut down. You may be able to

narrow down the cause to a single app.

Knowledge base

2

Hidden startup items

Most apps start by adding entries

in LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons and

StartupItems. Check these folders in personal

~/Library and system /Library folders. Uninstall

apps to remove startup items.

Extra preference panes

Some apps additems to System Preferenceswhen they

are installed. There aren’t any startup items, windows

or apps – they silently run in the background. Remove

them to see if they fix shutdown errors.

Update everything

You will not be the only one

with shutdown problems,

and macOS and app updates

frequently fix bugs. Make sure

that everything is kept up to

date with these settings in

System Preferences.

Login Items

Open Users & Groups, then Login

Items. Remove any apps here to see

if it cures shutdown issues. Startup

apps are also in LaunchAgents,

LaunchDaemons and StartupItems in

the ~/Library and /Libraryfolders.

Check for

extensions

Another potential causeof

shutdown issues is bugs and

faults in macOS extensions.

Check here to see what extra

items have been added.

They may be the cause of

shutdown problems, so

remove them.