📢 Newsroom Update

Apple’s new MacBook Pro features the incredibly powerful M4 family of chips and ushers in a new era with Apple Intelligence. Learn more >

📢 Newsroom Update

Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

MBP Mid 2014 randomly shutting down

For about 6 weeks (right after upgrading from Mojave to Catalina 10.15.5) my Mid 2014 MBP is shutting down more or less random. Note all of these shutdowns are not unexpected, i.e. there is no "Unexpected" dialog shown after power up.

It started as shutdown when going to sleep, right after the screen saver disappeared. I restored Mojave from TM, but the problem persisted.

After a clean Catalina install, the problem was still there, but less frequent.

I suspected a thermal problem, so got my MBP a cleaning job and new thermal paste.

After upgrading to BigSur, these shutdowns occur more frequently again, even while working. Intel Power Gadget shows no unusual load or temperatures.

I resetted PRAM and SMC more often than I can count.


Any hint to where I should look?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Nov 14, 2020 8:33 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 16, 2020 8:12 AM

ThomasL-HH wrote:

Thank you! Tried all of them, to no avail. The MBP even shut down when in safe mode.

I've not having any unusual shutdowns after installing gfxCardStatus and "disabling" the nVidia graphics chip.



Good computing ThomasL-HH ! Thanks for your report—sounds like it solved your problem.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 16, 2020 8:12 AM in response to ThomasL-HH

ThomasL-HH wrote:

Thank you! Tried all of them, to no avail. The MBP even shut down when in safe mode.

I've not having any unusual shutdowns after installing gfxCardStatus and "disabling" the nVidia graphics chip.



Good computing ThomasL-HH ! Thanks for your report—sounds like it solved your problem.

Nov 14, 2020 8:40 AM in response to ThomasL-HH

ThomasL-HH wrote:

For about 6 weeks (right after upgrading from Mojave to Catalina 10.15.5) my Mid 2014 MBP is shutting down more or less random. Note all of these shutdowns are not unexpected, i.e. there is no "Unexpected" dialog shown after power up.
It started as shutdown when going to sleep, right after the screen saver disappeared. I restored Mojave from TM, but the problem persisted.
After a clean Catalina install, the problem was still there, but less frequent.
I suspected a thermal problem, so got my MBP a cleaning job and new thermal paste.
After upgrading to BigSur, these shutdowns occur more frequently again, even while working. Intel Power Gadget shows no unusual load or temperatures.
I resetted PRAM and SMC more often than I can count.

Any hint to where I should look?



Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/Anti-Virus typically this cause issues like you describe.



To trouble shoot further you can:


—Try a SafeBoot https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

Takes noticeable longer to get to the login screen, does a 5-15 minute disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, including dynamic loader cache, etc. Login and test. Reboot and test as caches get rebuilt.


In Safe mode third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled, it removes malware, etc hampering smooth operation, however a reboot will put it back to normal mode.


This test will tell you if third party interference; extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.



—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204443

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 



MBP Mid 2014 randomly shutting down

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.