I'm running macOS 12.12.3 (Sierra).
I keep getting logged out when I try to switch users, both doing fast user switching and going back to the login menu and then logging in.
It's incredibly frustrating.
What could be a fix?
The only "weird" thing that I have running is QuickRes.
Any idea?
Best Answer
As you may know, troubleshooting is a process of elimination and often requires patience. There are a number of things I suggest you try to get to the bottom of this.
1. Bootup into Safe Mode
First of all let's boot up into Safe Mode. Not only can you test to see if the problem is replicated in Safe Mode, but the very act of booting into Safe Mode will run some checks, delete system cache files, verify your startup disk, and attempt to repair directory issues (if any are identified).
Follow these steps to boot your Mac into Safe Mode:
Once you've booted into Safe Mode, let me know how you went. This will help determine if the issue is related to third party software etc.
2. Reset your PRAM/NVRAM
Older Macs had what's called Parameter RAM (PRAM), newer Macs use Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM). It may be worth you also resetting this.
Your question doesn't specify what model of Mac you're using, but all Macs (except for Late-2016 MacBook Pro models) use the same process. I've included steps for both scenarios below:
For ALL models EXCEPT for Late-2016 MacBook Pros
Note: When you log back in you may need to readjust some of your system preferences (e.g. speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, time zone information, etc).
For all Late-2016 MacBook Pro models (with and without Touch Bar) follow these steps:
Note: When you log back in you may need to readjust some of your system preferences (e.g. speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, time zone information, etc).
3. Delete preferences
If starting in Safe Mode and resetting your PRAM/NVRAM does not resolve the issue, delete the com.apple.systempreferences.plist and com.apple.loginwindow.plist files.
To do this:
Test to see whether this has made any difference to your problem.
4. Create a new user account
If doing all three things above do not resolve the issue, I suggest creating a new user account. However, do not do this until you know the problem isn't resolved.
After doing the above, report back on what happened at Step 6. If you progressed further, also report on what happened at Steps 9 and 11.
If you found the problem was not replicated in the above 11 steps, then use your computer normally (but do not delete the new user account you created). If the problem reappears, then start using the new user account instead for a while as your main account and see whether the problem returns.