Pink Screen and Restarting on M1 MacBook Air 2020

I bought an M1 MacBook Pro last year that continually had this pink screen problem. I reinstalled macOS and it continued. I decided it must be a hardware issue, so since I was within my return period, I returned it for a refund. I bought another M1 MacBook Pro with a bigger SSD this time, the one I am currently typing on. This one also has pink screen resets.

I am not using Parallels in any way and have never had it installed on any of my systems.

Here is the cadence of pink screen kernel panics since the problem began on this unit:

1. July 15, 2021
2. July 18, 2021
3. July 25, 2021
4. July 30, 2021
5. August 1, 2021
6. August 12, 2021
7. August 19, 2021

It usually happens after waking the computer when it's a sleep. I open the screen, use it for a few minutes, I get a pink screen and instant reboot. This is always at the top of the kernel panic information that shows up after the reboot:

panic(cpu 2 caller 0xfffffe001741aa1c): "busy timeout[0], (60s): 'AppleAPFSMedia'"

The issue appears to always be AppleAPFSMedia related. I called Apple Support and asked them to search their CRM for other support issues related to the pink screen. I was told they have no other reports of pink screen anything. This thread has video evidence and multiple people with multiple affected units. They asked me to reformat, reinstall macOS, and see if the pink screen kernel panics continue. If they continue, I will call back.

I also received a new work computer for my new job. It is an M1 MacBook Pro. I will report back if this third unit starts to exhibit pink screen kernel panics and if my experience goes from a 66% failure rate of M1 hardware to 100%.

Hi,

If it's caused by hardware related issue, try to run Apple Diagnostics if it reports something.

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

If it doesn't help, try to contact Apple Support or make Genius Bar reservation if your neighborhood retail Apple Store is open or find near opened Apple Authorized Service Provider to be examined your MacBook Air.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

Apple - Find Locations - Location Selector

I had this issue pop up a few days ago. I did the exact same thing with Apple Support as well as creating a test account and reinstalling Big Sur. It's only on my display. If I move a window to an external display it's fine. If I take a screen shot and text it or e-mail it, the pink hue doesn't show up.

I have a Genius Bar appointment, but it's not for another week and a half. The "Express Genius Bar" at another Apple Store told me that I would have to leave my computer with them for 72 hours, then if it had to be sent out it would be 14 to 21 days!

Has anyone found a resolution to this?

Interesting. I have an external SSD, but I'm sure that wasn't the cause. I ended up keeping that Genius Bar appointment and after running a bunch of hardware tests, the computer "failed" on the hardware persistence test. Thus, for me it wasn't a software issue. The bigger problem is that it's been with Apple Support now for two (2) weeks with no real estimate on when it will be fixed and returned.

Hey there!

So while I absolutely understand how bummed you must be having this issue occur there are a few more factors that can cause this to occur. For instance, what do you have connected to the MacBook? What software have you installed in the same time frame of when the issue started? When the Mac comes back on do you see the message “Your computer was restarted because of a problem”? If so, you’ll want to follow the steps in this article: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT200553

If you still have issues please reach out to an Apple Support Advisor.

Hi i am having the same problem, except that rather than it turn out to be totally pink, its more of a pinkish hue (transparent) so can see still d background screen.

It will not restart, but it will lock my screen after.

Hey, I have the same issue with my Macbook Pro M1 chip. How did you fix the issue?

Spoke to apple support, we run some troubleshooting - NO ERRORS found

Done with diagnostic as advised here, with the apple support on the phone.- NO ERRORS found

They ask me to wait since the issue is intermittent. and call them again if the issue persists.

The next step is to create a TEST account or reinstall macOS.

Where is this issue coming from? Any luck guys? 😔

Experienced same thing. I just had my MBA M1 chip last Feb 2021. So I plugged my external ssd to my mac, cursor didn't move, then boom pink screen and restarted. This was my first time experiencing this.. maybe after I updated to Big Sur ver11.2.2.

I hope a software update soon can help fix this. :(

Hi!

I’ve had the same problem few minutes ago and I went on this forum to see what i can to.. I figure it out that i had to change color format on my monitor from rgb full range to auto. And it worked! I hope I saved someone’s headache.

Yes, I was using an external monitor. But it makes me angry that I have been using my old Macbook Air mid 2013's with that monitor also, and runs perfectly. Im going to return the MB air 2020, I have to use external monitor for my job and it seems that the pink screen and reboot doesn't have a solution yet. Or do you use now an external monitor without any problem?

Thank you so much for your response! I completely agree. I wouldn’t have bought a 13” if I wasn’t going to use a monitor. I don’t know what to do yet, honestly. My monitor is less than. 3 years old and perfectly functional otherwise. Apple originally suggested that it could be my Microsoft office suite, and that I should call Microsoft to see if they have suggestions. I paid for a MacBook Pro 13” M1 just to have it unpredictably run the pink screen. It’s absolutely ridiculous. They’ve already swiped my machine once, and plan on doing it again. They also act like this is a new issue they’ve never heard of. Like hey, Apple, I took videos—we all probably have. I have launched an official complaint, but I have heard nothing yet from Apple. We’ll see. My computer is 3 months old. I also required the use of a monitor for work/school. So frustrating—Apple used to stand by their products and care about their customers.

Are you using the official apple hdmi adapter? Because I bought one from another brand and don't know if that would trigger the pink screen and reboot.

I read on reddit, on a post where also some users complain about this, that with the new Os update that is coming they will fix that issue, but is reddit hahaa, nothing official. If I were you I would return the mac and wait until that problem is fixed with a new update. Mac are not cheap, so we must get a good computer that is compatible with other gadgets.

Hi I have the same problem, and it is quite persistent too. As long as the Macbook out of memory, restarting or shutting it down will just end with a pink screen crash.

Please fix this ASAP, unacceptable from Apple.

I had this problem where my laptop (5 months old) was shutting down every hour. I it brought in for service, got it back, and the problem started up again. While it's in service for the second time, I bought a new Air to tide me over. The same problem happened with the new Air! I am using my laptop with an external monitor. Could this be the problem? On the other hand, I was using an external monitor for at least four months before this, and never had a problem with the pink screen flash and reboot. Grrrrr. I am so behind in my work because of this.

Same problem here, first time happened with only 1 week of use! I don't use any acessories, I only use a bluetooth mouse! It already happened at least 4 times (I purchased 1 month ago on 9 July!) I have a 2011 MacBook Pro that shut down too and the problem is the GPU! It's a factory defect! I don't know if it have something to do but its extra information!