Mac mini M2 restarts or shuts down on its own

Checks you can perform without opening the unit

Make a backup and test without external accessories.

Stop testing if you notice smell, localised heat, liquid or intermittent connections. Continuing may worsen a localized fault.

Technical tests required

Peripherals are removed, logs are reviewed and power draw and temperature are recorded. The fault is then reproduced under controlled conditions.

Secondary damage is also checked. A faulty input can affect the charging circuit; liquid can reach multiple connectors; and a power failure can damage the file system.

Is it hardware or macOS?

Error reports, Recovery Mode and tests without peripherals help separate software from electronics. If the hardware is stable, a clean install of macOS after protecting the data.

What information speeds up diagnosis

Before sending the unit, state the screen size, approximate year, capacity, the type of charger used and the exact moment the fault occurred. Also explain if there was liquid exposure, a drop, an update, a prior repair or progressive battery degradation.

This information does not replace measurements, but it allows us to prepare the appropriate tests and avoid actions that could put the built-in storage at risk.