MacBook Pro randomly shuts down.

I am the proud owner of a MacBook Pro 2014 15", but i recently started getting an issue where it shuts down randomly.

This problem started about 1 and a half week ago on macOS 11.7.4

When I "ask" the terminal is gives me "recent shutdown cause error code -128".

This happens when I'm using battery as well as when using AC power.


I've tried a number of things:

  1. Resetting the SMC as wel as the PRAM. (Ctrl + Option + Shift + Power / Option + Command + P + R)
  2. Reinstalling macOS. (2 times 11.6.8 and 2 times 11.7.4)
  3. Using the Mac in "Safe Boot". (Shift on boot)
  4. Replaced the battery. (was over 1425 cycles anyway)
  5. Hardware test, nothing showed up. (Command + D on boot)
  6. I tried to delete appleThunderboltNHI.kext. (was back every time/not sure it worked)
  7. Installed Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. (no problems)


Meanwhile i installed macOS 11.6.8 on 2 MacBooks using a usb.

The problem is only on one device so it also isn't the installer-usb.

I now have installed Mavericks (original to this device) to see if that works. (to be continued...)


It also doesn't happen when it's on screensaver. (I left it for 2 nights and it stayed on)


Apple support tells me it's a hardware issue but I found it weird that Ubuntu works then.


I'm hoping one of you guys may be able to help me to at least tell me what the issue is.

MacBook Pro 15″

Posted on Mar 13, 2023 2:51 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 20, 2023 4:14 AM

Hello Everyone,


I see that there are still people reporting the same issue in this thread.


For those who still have the problem to this day, i’ve posted the solution in my case on March 22th this year.

My macbook still haven’t had the problem since i swapped the SSD. (for 9 months now)

This means that it definetly is a NAND issue.


I don’t know for sure that it saves all macbooks with this problem or if it specificly has to be an Apple SSD, but if you have the shutdown problem with code -128 i’d definetly try replacing the SSD first because the solderd RAM isn’t going anywhere and the motherboards are more expensive then the same machine second hand.


If anyone still has questions i’d love to hear it.


Greetings , Quinten

55 replies

Sep 10, 2024 6:13 AM in response to luis741

I originally asked for an 2020 M1 chip at a retailer, and only figured out in 2024 that I had an i5 prosessor... (I trusted the retailer as they ASSSURED me 100% that it was M1), and it has been overheating and been loud since day 1. It did start shutting down after i closed the laptop around April this year for me. It is super annoying and I am super happy I have onedrive or my bachelor thesis and all my work would've been gone. I really hope they would fix this. Because getting a new mac seems tideous and expensive... :))))

Sep 11, 2024 4:07 PM in response to QuintenDH

I am facing the same issue with my Macbook Air 2022. It keeps on shutting down randomly.

It asked me to install the new OS.

I took it to apple care center, they installed the new OS and the shutting down randomly thing is still happening.

They are asking to replace the MOTHERBOARD. I am not sure if this is the solution. Its really expensive too


Any help please

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MacBook Pro randomly shuts down.

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