User profile for user: QuintenDH
QuintenDH Author
User level: 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:

  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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User profile for user: QuintenDH
QuintenDH Author
User level: Level 1
46 points

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

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User profile for user: QuintenDH
QuintenDH Author
User level: Level 1
46 points

Dec 20, 2023 4:14 AM in response to QuintenDH

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

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User profile for user: turnedwand
turnedwand
User level: Level 1
32 points

Jan 23, 2024 1:32 PM in response to turnedwand

Update: did not replace SSD but did disassemble and clean for first time in a while. I wasn’t hearing the fans spin up that much but did notice the laptop would get kinda hot. Sometimes they would turn on but not usually. I sprayed out a bunch of dust that was all over and also inside the fan assemblies. It was kind of a lot. I think the process of disconnecting the battery, spraying out all the dust from the fans, and also replacing the thermal paste (which I did because I was already in there so I figured why not), has seemingly resolved the issue. Computer gets much less hot and hasn’t shut off like it was doing. I also noticed where the SSD would go if I were to replace it and it would be super easy. Easier than taking apart the fans or replacing the thermal paste. I didn’t have an appropriate SSD lying around so I didn’t switch that.


I think the computer was getting hot and trying to start the fans but was getting resistance due to dust and so the fans sent back a signal saying “hey we can’t do our job so turn off before you damage us.”

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User profile for user: QuintenDH
QuintenDH Author
User level: 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.

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User profile for user: BDAqua
BDAqua
User level: Level 10
250,253 points

Aug 15, 2024 1:01 PM in response to emCephas

Hold the Option key on startup, how long will it sit on the Boot choice screen without crashing?


Start with this if M1, M2, or M3 Mac...


On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > Shut Down.

Wait for your Mac to shut down completely. A Mac is completely shut down when the screen is black and any lights (including in the Touch Bar) are off.

Press and hold the power button on your Mac until “Loading startup options” appears.

Select a volume.

Press and hold the Shift key, then click Continue in Safe Mode.

The computer restarts automatically. When the login window appears, you should see “Safe Boot” in the menu bar.

Does the problem occur in Safe Mode? 


Restart normally.

Start with this if IntelMac...


Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at startup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode? Could take 10 minutes or more.


Safe mode attempts to repair Disks & clears lots of caches & loads safe Drivers, & prevents loading of 3rd party extensions, so if Safe Mode works try again in regular boot.


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User profile for user: Idris_Bell
Idris_Bell
User level: Level 1
13 points

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.


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User profile for user: iHelper_SK
iHelper_SK
User level: Level 2
193 points

Aug 6, 2024 6:00 AM in response to QuintenDH

And i have a 2009 iMac (i think intel core 2 duo) and was doing the same (randomy shuts down)

I fixed it by reiinstalling OS X El Captain but when we tried cmd + r and reiinstal mac os it was saying that the mac cant install this OS and that was the problem... Somehow i deleted the OS X and everything that was then on that mac was only blinking folder with ? in center.

i tried to install OS X copy to dvd and thats where was the biggest problem the mac didnt regonized the dvd inside.

Than i bringed it to repear shop and they fixed it.


I runned stress test and it stopped shutting down, that was a miracle after that problems with the mac

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MacBook Pro randomly shuts down.

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