New 16” MBP Random Restarts and LockUps

On my new 16 inch MacBook Pro, when the machine is idle, I get about four random reboots a day. And, when the machine is in use, at least one lock up per day that requires a reboot.


I did not use migration assistant when the machine was set up, it is a fresh install. Hardware check shows no errors… Extremely frustrating.


This is always the message upon each random restart


BAD MAGIC! (flag set in iBoot panic header), no macOS panic log available


Needless to say… This is very frustrating! Anyone else had this issue?

James’s 16" MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro 16"

Posted on Nov 26, 2019 10:15 AM

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Posted on Apr 14, 2020 10:44 AM

Just an update on my progress. My prior MacBook would unexpectedly freeze for 10 seconds, then the fans would go 100% for 5 seconds, and the machine would then power off or restart. I would check the logs after this issue and get a "bad magic" kernel panic. They sent me a brand new replacement. This issue seems to be resolved with a brand new replacement. This is a hardware issue (unless you're having panics due to the most recent version of Catalina). If you're having kernel panics, bad magic issues, or unexpected shut downs/reboots, then I'd recommend to get a replacement as soon as possible. This is the only way to resolve this issue.


I spent countless hours troubleshooting the issue with Apple and sending it out for repair twice. The first repair, they only reinstalled MacOS and updated my T2 firmware. This didn't resolve it. The second repair, they replaced my Touch ID Board and Logic Board. This also didn't resolve the issue. I then requested a new replacement (since I'm still within my warranty). They approved this and were able to send me this brand new replacement. This replacement does NOT have any issues and now the issue is resolved.


Please keep in mind that Apple (US) will only send a replacement after a certain number of repair attempts (usually 2-3 attempts), if you're past the 14-day return date. So please make sure to get started on the repair process and after the second/third repair, ask for a replacement. This is the only way to resolve the issue. It was the only way for me to resolve the unexpected shutdowns and reboots with "Bad Magic" kernel panics. I have read prior that this is the only way others have fully resolved this issue. I hope you all have the same success as me!

213 replies

May 27, 2020 7:47 AM in response to wo4w

MacOS Catalina 10.15.5 was issued Tuesday, 26 May 2020.


If you are having some of the issues on this thread, please try the update to see if it solves your problems.


If it does NOT solve your problems, use the "contact support" link at the top of every forum page.


They have some routine fault-isolation steps they will ask for to demonstrate that this is Not caused by:

1) third-party add-ons

2) a bad install of MacOS


Once that has been demonstrated, they can arrange for you to ship your computer to a depot for service.

Jun 13, 2020 8:46 AM in response to MarcoCoi

I don’t think it’s the Radeon drivers. I’m pretty sure it’s with the power napping and sleep in the software. I turned off sleep, power napping and made it so that my laptop stays on at all times. Doesn’t happen. As soon as I turned on sleep and or power napping it happened. It’s a work around sure but it’s not good cause the laptop never locks so the security system in my MacBook Pro is irrelevant. Anyone can open it and use it. Since I work from home I don’t worry to much but this needs to be fixed before going back to work with my laptop.

May 5, 2020 1:16 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Hey Everyone! Okay so 24 hours in and I have not had the same issue. I've left my HDMI monitor connected, and my Apple keyboard and mouse and the I have the lid closed.. Knock on wood, but since I turned off Power Nap on power and battery I have not had any crashes. I was able to Spacebar twice to wake my Mac up, and my Apple Watch unlocked it no problem, and no crashes. It seems like if this continues this way it's due to the power nap.... thanks for all the good feedback!

May 29, 2020 1:46 AM in response to tbizzlebone

You can try the following as an interim solution for your restarts – I had the issue your describing and the below has solved it for me...


  1. Go to Preferences > Energy Saver
  2. Battery tab – Uncheck 'Enable Power Nap while on battery power'
  3. Power Adapter – Uncheck 'Enable Power Nap while on battery power'


Turning both of these options off could potentially resolve your restart on wake issues. (It did for me)


Jun 13, 2020 8:43 AM in response to sps808

I know man. It sucks. It’s unreal how they sell it like that. There is no way that they don’t know about that issue because it’s so blatant that it would never pass even the most basic testing.


Apple obviously got itself in a position where they started selling it and maybe they thought they could fix it quickly after launch but that hasn’t happened.


I turned off Power Nap and so far it seems to have solved the problem.

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New 16” MBP Random Restarts and LockUps

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