Mac Mini keeps restarting after I converted AFP to SMB

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Level 1

4 points

Mac Mini keeps restarting after I converted AFP to SMB

After Time Machine stopped working on my Synology NAS because I was still using AFP connections and Apple stopped using AFP connections, I converted everything to SMB connections.

In Finder, select the server SMB://ServerName and in System Settings, Login Items and Extensions, select the folders that should be automatically loaded on my desktop.

When the Mac Mini with M1 and 16GB is started, I can work for about an hour, then it automatically restarts and I have to log in again. This is very annoying, but what can I do about it?

I am Dutch and also use a Dutch version of the Mac Mini, Does any member know what is happening here? Before I adjusted the server connections, everything was fine and worked normally.

[Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Sep 4, 2025 11:04 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

214,242 points

Sep 4, 2025 01:50 PM in response to Maglite-

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

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Answer 2

Maglite- Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 4, 2025 02:44 PM in response to Old Toad

I noticed that the Samsung 860 QVO 1TB SSD drive I connected to the Mac Mini with a USB3 and USB power cable for the Time Machine backup was getting very hot. It's possible I was drawing too much power from the USB port, causing the Mac Mini to shut down automatically.

This happened every hour.

when the complaint about the Mac Mini failing happened, this is something I also connected at the same time,

I will now test this with the SSD disconnected and see if the problem remains.

Fingers crossed and thanks in advance for the response.

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Answer 3

Maglite- Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 5, 2025 02:50 PM in response to Maglite-

Update: Problem solved:

After switching from Apple Filing Protocol (AFP is very old) to Server Message Block (SMB is newer). This network protocol allows devices to share files, printers, and other resources on a network that Apple is now using, certain settings, such as the "Automatically log out after inactivity" setting under Privacy and Security / Advanced, were activated.

If you don't know where this is, you're running into the same problem I had, but with help from Apple support, I managed to fix it. My Mac Mini is working normally again as it should, thank you for your help and support.

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Answer 4

Sep 5, 2025 09:53 PM in response to Maglite-

Thanks for the update and the fix. So the problem was not restart but log out, right?

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Answer 5

Maglite- Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 5, 2025 11:30 PM in response to Matti Haveri

yes automatically log out after inactivity 😎 After switching from AFP to SMB protocol it became active 😳

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