MacBook Pro randomly shuts down.

Question

QuintenDH Author

Level 1

46 points

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:

Resetting the SMC as wel as the PRAM. (Ctrl + Option + Shift + Power / Option + Command + P + R)
Reinstalling macOS. (2 times 11.6.8 and 2 times 11.7.4)
Using the Mac in "Safe Boot". (Shift on boot)
Replaced the battery. (was over 1425 cycles anyway)
Hardware test, nothing showed up. (Command + D on boot)
I tried to delete appleThunderboltNHI.kext. (was back every time/not sure it worked)
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

Reply

Answer 1

Owl-53

Level 10

102,301 points

Mar 13, 2023 5:06 AM in response to QuintenDH

Error code 128

Possibly linked to memory issue. If the issue is persistent, try replacing the RAM with known-good if your hardware has removable RAM.

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 13, 2023 5:17 AM in response to QuintenDH

If your MacBook Pro is randomly shutting down, there are a few steps that you can take to try and troubleshoot the issue.

1. Check if the temperature of your laptop is too high by using an app like iStat Menus or Temperature Gauge. If it’s too high, consider getting a laptop cooling pad or use your laptop on a hard surface instead of on your lap.

2. Ensure that all of your apps are up to date and check for any updates from the App Store. Sometimes installed software can cause the system to shut down unexpectedly.

3. Consult with Apple Support for further advice about how to resolve this issue.

If that doesn't resolve the issue then there is a cheap way to buy a replacement macbook pro.

Ive found a good selection of refurbished macbooks on ourdeal.co.uk

the decision is yours completely.

Reply

Answer 3

QuintenDH Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 13, 2023 5:58 AM in response to Owl-53

I can't replace the RAM.

It's soldered on.

Reply

Answer 4

QuintenDH Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 13, 2023 6:01 AM in response to Idris_Bell

It isn't getting hot at all.
It also happens directly after a fresh install.
They told me to try Mavericks and if it doesn't work send it for repair. Meanwhile I've tried Mavericks and the same problem is back, but this time it doesn't turn of after 20 seconds when the fans ramp up but now it stays like it wants to go to the moon.

Reply

Answer 5

Owl-53

Level 10

102,301 points

Mar 13, 2023 6:48 AM in response to QuintenDH

Ah the Joys Of the soldered RAM

To truly get a proper definitive evaluate of the machine

Have the computer evaluated by the Professionals who have the Special Hardware Software and Expertise to diagnose the issue and offer possible solutions

Reply

Answer 6

QuintenDH Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 13, 2023 6:55 AM in response to Owl-53

I will.

Thanks so far.

Reply

Answer 7

Owl-53

Level 10

102,301 points

Mar 13, 2023 6:58 AM in response to QuintenDH

Welcome so far

Reply

Answer 8

QuintenDH Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 13, 2023 9:49 AM in response to Owl-53

I went to the service provider this afternoon.

They told me it's probably a short on the motherboard.

Given your earlier advice i think it's one of the RAM modules/chips.

Thank you guys so much for all your help and advice.

Reply

Answer 9

Owl-53

Level 10

102,301 points

Mar 13, 2023 1:38 PM in response to QuintenDH

Sorry about the not so good news but at least now the path is clear going forwards

Must mention a thank you to you too.

Do come back to the Apple Support Communities ( ASC ) in the future if or when additional questions may arise

Reply

Answer 10

Mar 21, 2023 2:08 PM in response to QuintenDH

Hello,

I also have the same year/model MacBook Pro 2014 15" and starting about a week ago my laptop began to shut off out of the blue! HIGHLY FRUSTRATING. It happens with full battery, while plugged in, and seemed to begin after some form of automatic nightly update a week ago.

I've kept this macbook pro in excellent condition and do not want to purchase a new laptop.

The fact that someone else with the same make/model is experiencing the same issue beginning about the same time tells me that it's a software issue (or Apple is trying to force us to purchase a newer model).

What can we do to resolve this? Please help!

Version: 11.7.4

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)

Processor 2.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

Memory 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Startup Disk Machintosh HD

Graphics Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB

Reply

Answer 11

Mar 21, 2023 2:09 PM in response to QuintenDH

What are the odds that both of us with same make/model would have a short circuit at the exact same time? I don't think that's the issue. I think it's a software issue.

Reply

Answer 12

QuintenDH Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 22, 2023 12:50 AM in response to jalapengo

Hello Everyone,

I promised to keep you guys updated so here is the update:

Because my 2014 Macbook had issues and i still had work left to do i bought another Macbook this time from 2015.

One moment i was working and i thougd, SSD's have NAND modules to, so i went online and found one thread on ifixit forum with the same issue but they blamed the SSD.

I've tried pretty much everything till this point and now had another Macbook so i figgured "heck, how many times do you live".

I swapped the SSD's between the two Macbook's and guess what, no issue on any of the two for allmost a week.

So i still can't tell if it is the SSD or motherboard cause nothing broke down ever since.

I allso thougd "maby the installation must happen on the 2015 modal" but no, even when installing macOS on the 2015 modal and then putting the SSD back in the 2014 modal, it gave up on me again within 30 minutes.

So now i have 2 working Macbooks with "incompatible" SSD's cause the 2015 SSD didn't exist when the 2014 Macbook was released.

The only downside is that none is at full speed now, one has a limmited bus and the other has a limmited SSD, but since macOS is so fast anyways i cant tell the difference in speed so i dont give a [user friendly content].

If you're experiensing the same issue, try a different SSD before you start expensive repairs.

Most of the time you can return an SSD if it didn't solve the issue anyways, if not Ebay is your best friend.

I hope you guys are all well informed now.

If any of you guys have questions, feel free to contact again.

Reply

Answer 13

JChris80

Level 1

15 points

Apr 28, 2023 4:58 AM in response to jalapengo

This is happening to me as well and I’m furious! I get it out laptops are old but mine is in great condition as well and was running perfectly till I downloaded big sur 11.7.4. This is no coincidence at all. I also don’t have the money to shell out for a new MacBook Pro right now. I would like to resolve this issue as well. Nothing is working.

Reply

Answer 14

Jun 9, 2023 10:08 PM in response to QuintenDH

A week ago, started to do the same

11.7.7, 15, Mid2014

Reply

Answer 15

Jun 20, 2023 11:23 PM in response to QuintenDH

Try to crrate new User Account. You can connect it to your Apple ID. In my case it seems to help. Already 12 hours no shot down.

Reply

MacBook Pro randomly shuts down.

Similar questions