Kernel panic on startup, TouchBar disappearing

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Level 1

4 points

Kernel panic on startup, TouchBar disappearing

Whenever I put my MBP 13" 2019 to sleep, it shuts down and restarts. Upon waking up, the TouchBar doesn't display and it starts a series of kernel panics (amount varies) until the TouchBar comes back and the kernel panics stop; only then does my laptop run properly (until the next time I put it to sleep).

I've updated to the newest OS. I've run an Apple Diagnostic and it says no issues were found. I tried resetting the NVRAM, PRAM, and SMC. I've booted up in Safe Mode, the TouchBar still didn't display. I've tried to locate unnecessary third-party programs/files and delete them. The issue still persists.

I've attached the latest error report as additional text as I'm not able to make any sense of it, am hoping someone on here can help me identify the root of the problem.

Problem Report

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 14.1

Posted on Dec 5, 2023 7:29 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 5, 2023 7:35 AM in response to 4lexanny

<<. panic(cpu 0 caller 0xfffffff0176be948): userspace watchdog timeout: no successful checkins from dfrd (2 induced crashes) . >>

dfrd is Dynamic Function Row daemon, the software that runs in the background and manages the TouchBar.

In this rare case, the symptoms and the cause are the same -- your touchbar is malfunctioning.

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Answer 2

Dec 5, 2023 8:11 AM in response to 4lexanny

I think that is doubtful.

Be sure you have adequate backups before sublimating your Mac for service, because the papers you sign promise you have all the backups you want, and Apple does not have to return your FILES to you.

How much do you love the touchbar?

is your work especially compute-intensive or graphics intensive?

if you have to abandon this Mac as unreliable, consider the Apple-silicon MacBook Air, but upgraded to at least 16GB RAM memory -- the default 8 GB is only adequate for schools.

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Answer 3

4lexanny Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 5, 2023 8:27 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

From what I've read, it seems like my best option is to buy a new laptop when I can afford it since the cost of repairing/replacing the touchbar is so much.

It's not so much that I love the touchbar, just that I'm frustrated since I got my MB barely 3 years ago and hoped to use it for longer than that. Most of the work I do on my laptop is for work/school but I frequently use it to make music since that's my side job, and I know some DAWs are quite CPU intensive.

Welp, maybe I'll ask for a laptop for Christmas haha. Thank you for your help.

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Answer 4

4lexanny Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 5, 2023 7:44 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Is there any way to fix it on my own? I'm hesitant to take my MB to repair because I want to avoid to cost of service, or even buying a new laptop, if I can do it myself.

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Kernel panic on startup, TouchBar disappearing

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