What is SOCD report detected: (AP watchdog expired)?

Just happened to me for the first time while my #MBAM1 was idle.

Been using this powered Anker USB-C hub since November. When the problem occurred, I only had one USB-A device connected (Presonus AudioBox iTwo).

No external drive.

macOS Big Sur 11.3.1

Logic board issue - is this 100 percent the culprit or just trial and error luck? I am not doubting you but wanting to be sure given that where I live it is quite a drive to the nearest Apple store. Please do let us know.

Issues being the watchdog error and for some, screens going daft for no found reason (on Mac Mini M1).

I have a 2021 MAC M1 for only a few days and just now had this AP Watchdog re-boot error. I have a USB Hub (powered) and a SSD disk (for time machine) attached to both Thunderbolt ports. Don't know what's going on but not good.

Any usable resolutions and/or indications when it will be addressed by Apple?

Thanks.

There is no SMC reset on M1 chips. Apple has no right to re-start my computer - unless there's a willingness to compensate for work lost for this unwarranted and illegal intrusion.

[Edited by Moderator] 

M1 mini 5 times in 1 week, 20+ reboots in 3 months

Never occurred with my 2012 i7 Mini

From all of the online comments about this problem this must be a fundamental fault with the M1 chip.

Apple please do something.

I have been using Mac's since 1994 & since June more problems with the M1 that all other Apple hardware in the last 27 years.

Will never buy another new Apple product again.

I am happy to warn my companies clients, family & friends to avoid Apple products

I stress my previous comment that Apple has no right to re-start my computer. Can we all imagine if cars could be re-started by the manufacturer while we are driving! Apple can hide behind software agreements and reams of words prepared by its legal teams but restarting someone's (purchased) computer without permission and any accountability is a gross violation of privacy and law. There is a growing community of users that are fed up with how our rights have been taken away to advance old perceived notions that the industry needs this exemption to survive. If the industry wants to keep this exemption that it is responsible for making its software perform. Building auto-restart into operating software is stupid and dangerous.

Fix the problem and stay out of our business.

Your understanding of the problem is flawed in my opinion. Apple does not 'remotely restart' your machine. The computer crashes and reboots. That's what's happening. No big brother in Cupertino taking over your computer, so the car analogy does not hit the mark.

Actually, if you read through all the comments, you will see there are people who have had this issue without having drives or devices plugged in. Also, while most of the problems seem to be with the Mac Mini, others like me, have had it with other M1 products. I have an M1 Mac Air and have had the issue, and I have seen posts from other MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and iMac users. Search SOCD and you will see there are posts about this in different communities.

I have been using mac's with USB accessories attached since May 2000 & have never had this problem.

Apple has reduced the number of ports forcing people to use accessories creating the problem & should have allowed for this in the design.

The hard drives were all attached to the 2012 i7 Mini replaced by the M1 Mini & never had this issue.

I am using a Lacie Drive which is now on its third Mac Mini since 2011 & never had this issue.

The Mini is the main computer for my business & having it reboot multiple times a week is bad, I loose work which costs me money & time to recreate.

The issue is with the M1 chip as this rebooting did not occur when using Power PC chips from 2000 until 2011 & Intel from 2011 until now.

There is also a problem with Preview on the M1. I create large PDF doc's & the M1 can't merge the files it stalls within 60 seconds, so I force quit, then transfer files to a usb & do the process on a 10 year old i7, also have a core 2 duo mini with 2GB ram which out performs the M1when merging PDF's.

I'm at the stage where I'm considering ditching the M1loosing money & going back to the 2012 i7 Mini.

Wow. The best solution on this whole page is literally Apple saying update your software and your option of just never have external drives or hubs while using which is not an option for 90% of users. The M1 mini is trash. Worse than the trash can. I video edit and just attempting to do anything on the machine is a joke. I have not gotten through a single editing session without multiple crashes and weird video artifacts and glitches that require replacing entire pieces of work. The bluetooth is trash. The I/O is trash. The worst apple product I have ever bought and I have been using macs since 2008.

Just happened to my M1 iMac with Big Sur 11.6. Only thing attached was my apple watch charging cable (with no watch) connected to the official apple usb-c to usb-a converter. Never happened before in two months

This just happened to me when I clicked on a news story. All of a sudden and at the same time, a noise like cracking came from the speakers and the computer screen went dark and then is shut down. i restarted it and it is OK for the last few minutes. Had this since they came out, i hope I did not make a mistake getting this! Oh well, my old 2011 MacBook is faithfully waiting and still working as a backup. Hope this is something that APPLE can fix with a update.

I am about 6 months into use of my new m1 MacBook. Now I am wondering if it is the board. After one year, warranty is gone. i hope Apple will do the right thing if this is a board problem. My MacBook M1 just did this last night, made a noise like lightning static on a radio and then shut down with black screen. But, it started up OK when I turned it on. This is NOT good, APPLE! We need to hear from you on this problem.

Apple support just go through the motions. Yesterday I up dated my M1 mini to Monterey & 4 hours later it rebooted, so they have not fixed the problem.

Monterey has dozens of new features which the Youtube bloggers will rave about but there seems to be no fix to a system flaw creating havoc for many of Apples paying customers.

I am sure the problem is hardware related & Apple dont want to admit there are faults with the M1 as it would be a huge embarrassment.

I'm in Australia & reported the problems to consumer affairs they told me that Apple are difficult & will only replace as a last resort.

Going by the number of online complaints & reports the SOCD fault affects lots of M1 Macs. I cant afford to replace a $2000 computer after a few months. When it fails I go back to a 10 year i7 Intel mac which the M1 replaced. So much for progress.

Good luck

Tried to exchange the M1 with Apple support in Australia but the problem started about 3-4 weeks after the purchase date & here the full refund period is only 2 weeks.

Then filed a complaint with state consumer affairs who told me Apple were very difficult to deal with & that they would drag the process out.

I am self employed & just dont have the time to stop work & go through the motions, when it reboots I go back to a 10 year old i7 mini which runs very hot but still works.

Yesterday I up dated my M1 mini to Monterey & 4 hours later it rebooted, so they have not  fixed the problem.