I've a mac mini 2018, running in Catalina. When powering on, it intermittently booting to recovery mode (automatic). Any idea about this behavior of mac mini?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Mac Mini 2018 Intermittent Booting to Recovery Mode
- Thread starter paedocypris
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Random thoughts...
Have you upgraded the RAM?
Did you change anything (update or add software) before this started?
Have you considered booting to the recovery partition or internet recovery and re-installing the OS?
Do you have another keyboard you could try?
Have you upgraded the RAM?
Did you change anything (update or add software) before this started?
Have you considered booting to the recovery partition or internet recovery and re-installing the OS?
Do you have another keyboard you could try?
Have you upgraded the RAM?
--> Yes, a year ago.
Did you change anything (update or add software) before this started?
--> Downgraded from BigSur to Catalina
--> Adding nvme (with enclosure)
--> Adding usb hub (for keyboard, mouse, external drives)
Have you considered booting to the recovery partition or internet recovery and re-installing the OS?
--> Yes, I did re-install my OS to downgrade.
Do you have another keyboard you could try?
--> No. May I know why?
--> Yes, a year ago.
Did you change anything (update or add software) before this started?
--> Downgraded from BigSur to Catalina
--> Adding nvme (with enclosure)
--> Adding usb hub (for keyboard, mouse, external drives)
Have you considered booting to the recovery partition or internet recovery and re-installing the OS?
--> Yes, I did re-install my OS to downgrade.
Do you have another keyboard you could try?
--> No. May I know why?
"Have you upgraded the RAM?
--> Yes, a year ago."
First thing that comes to mind:
Put the factory-installed RAM BACK IN.
--> Yes, a year ago."
First thing that comes to mind:
Put the factory-installed RAM BACK IN.
There's another post here somewhere from a user who upgraded RAM themself on a 2018 Mini and began having problems about a year later. After troubleshooting, it turned out to be defective memory IIRC.
I see. Luckily, I kept my original RAM. Thank you for the feedback.
Before swapping the RAM, I would put MemTest86 on a USB thumb drive then run it overnight and make a record of what it has to say about the existing RAM.
As you know, swapping the RAM is non-trivial, and puts wear on all the fragile internal studs and connectors as part of disassembling/reassembling the Mini. So not something you want to do more often than is essential.
As you know, swapping the RAM is non-trivial, and puts wear on all the fragile internal studs and connectors as part of disassembling/reassembling the Mini. So not something you want to do more often than is essential.
Last edited:
was this issue fixed? I have a mac mini 2018 that automatically boots into internet recovery mode, and is unresponsive to key commands. Previous owner did upgrade memory at some point.
Hi Macaneer43. I'm facing the issue intermittent, and I need the additional memory. So still not tried to put back the original memory.
"I'm facing the issue intermittent, and I need the additional memory. So still not tried to put back the original memory."
My prediction:
Until you replace the 3rd-party RAM with the factory-installed RAM, you will continue to experience these problems...
My prediction:
Until you replace the 3rd-party RAM with the factory-installed RAM, you will continue to experience these problems...
Until now I'm using the 3rd party RAM.
I'm not sure if the problem is caused by my keyboard. After replacing my razer keyboard with Logitech MX keys wireless keyboard the problem seems stopped.