An apparatus for forcing outputs of a digital controller of a switching power converter to a safe state during shutdown of the switching power converter is described. The apparatus includes a multiplexer providing an output signal of the digital controller and having a first input of the multiplexer connected to receive a switching control signal control signal from the digital controller. The multiplexer also has a plurality of inputs from control registers providing programmed safe state values. The multiplexer connects one of the first input or the inputs from the plurality of control registers to the output of the multiplexer responsive to a multiplexer control signal. Control logic generates the multiplexer control signal responsive to at least one of an end of frame interrupt, an over current interrupt, an enable interrupt or a software bypass signal.