MacBook Pro restarts unexpectedly

My MackBook Pro 16" 2019 model has suddenly begun restarting "because of a problem", often when I'm not even in the room and it is sitting idle, usually only once a day. After about a week of the problem, I downloaded and reinstalled macOS Sonoma (14.7.2), and the problem went away for a few days- but now it is back. It never happens if I am remotely working, but only when I'm at home in my office, plugged into my dock. I do have a backup drive that backs my machine up regularly via Time Machine, so I'm not worried about losing any files; but it is my only Mac so I rely on it a bit. Any help toward diagnosis would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.7

Posted on Jan 23, 2025 7:44 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 26, 2025 7:08 PM

With respect to the Etrecheck report:


  • It identified some software that appears to date from 2016. Unclear what that might be doing or how they are interacting with your system, although I doubt those are causing the kernel panics, each of which is a serious malfunction that the MacOS cannot recover from, so it restarts. Examples include Flip4Mac and Canon ScanGear. Some panics result from software, although often they have to do with hardware.
  • One of the panics was associated with backupd, which is Time Machine and an external drive. That leads me to wonder about the hubs you are using, which seem to be used for external drives and some sound equipment? Is that VIA USB 2.0 hub compatible with MacOS Sonoma? Are your hubs and all external devices compatible with Sonoma?


USB 3.1 bus

VIA Labs, Inc. - USB3.0 Hub

Western Digital - Elements 25A3

VIA Labs, Inc. - USB3.0 Hub

Generic - 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub

Generic - 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub

Realtek - USB 10/100/1000 LAN


USB 3.1 bus

VLI Inc. - USB 2.0 BILLBOARD

VIA Labs, Inc. - USB2.0 Hub

USB 2.0 Hub

Sonix Technology Co., Ltd. - NexiGo HD Webcam

VIA Labs, Inc. - USB2.0 Hub

USB PnP Audio Device

Generic - 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub

Generic - 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub

Contour Design - ShuttlePRO v2

VIA Labs, Inc. - USB Billboard Device


Also, I don't understand this next part, how many iPhones and iPads are connected to this Mac?


Network:

Interface en7: USB 10/100/1000 LAN

Interface en0: Wi-Fi

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Interface en13: iPhone USB 6

Interface en18: iPhone USB 7

Interface en10: iPhone USB 2

Interface en14: iPhone USB 3

Interface en15: iPhone USB 4

Interface en6: iPhone 5

Interface en8: iPhone

Interface bridge0: Thunderbolt Bridge

Interface en9: iPad


Panics (involuntary restart) can be caused by incompatible things connected to ports and hubs, e.g. older hardware. But I can't tell exactly what is connected to your Mac.

Etrecheck also reported below average performance. That could be due to the Mac distracted with all those external devices, or possible from the VPN, which can be a drag on network performance.


The mention of backupd in the crash report you posted, and its mention in one of the Etrecheck reports for a panic, makes me wonder if one or more of your external drives (or other devices) is causing some sort of conflict, perhaps in the way it is connected.


One test could be to disconnect all external devices and see if the panics are gone. Then you can bring them back one or two at a time to see what causes them to reoccur.


The above does not identify any glaring culprit but are offered mainly in the spirit of pointing you in the direction of a few things for you to check into.

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 26, 2025 7:08 PM in response to Terry Smelker

With respect to the Etrecheck report:


  • It identified some software that appears to date from 2016. Unclear what that might be doing or how they are interacting with your system, although I doubt those are causing the kernel panics, each of which is a serious malfunction that the MacOS cannot recover from, so it restarts. Examples include Flip4Mac and Canon ScanGear. Some panics result from software, although often they have to do with hardware.
  • One of the panics was associated with backupd, which is Time Machine and an external drive. That leads me to wonder about the hubs you are using, which seem to be used for external drives and some sound equipment? Is that VIA USB 2.0 hub compatible with MacOS Sonoma? Are your hubs and all external devices compatible with Sonoma?


USB 3.1 bus

VIA Labs, Inc. - USB3.0 Hub

Western Digital - Elements 25A3

VIA Labs, Inc. - USB3.0 Hub

Generic - 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub

Generic - 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub

Realtek - USB 10/100/1000 LAN


USB 3.1 bus

VLI Inc. - USB 2.0 BILLBOARD

VIA Labs, Inc. - USB2.0 Hub

USB 2.0 Hub

Sonix Technology Co., Ltd. - NexiGo HD Webcam

VIA Labs, Inc. - USB2.0 Hub

USB PnP Audio Device

Generic - 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub

Generic - 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub

Contour Design - ShuttlePRO v2

VIA Labs, Inc. - USB Billboard Device


Also, I don't understand this next part, how many iPhones and iPads are connected to this Mac?


Network:

Interface en7: USB 10/100/1000 LAN

Interface en0: Wi-Fi

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Interface en13: iPhone USB 6

Interface en18: iPhone USB 7

Interface en10: iPhone USB 2

Interface en14: iPhone USB 3

Interface en15: iPhone USB 4

Interface en6: iPhone 5

Interface en8: iPhone

Interface bridge0: Thunderbolt Bridge

Interface en9: iPad


Panics (involuntary restart) can be caused by incompatible things connected to ports and hubs, e.g. older hardware. But I can't tell exactly what is connected to your Mac.

Etrecheck also reported below average performance. That could be due to the Mac distracted with all those external devices, or possible from the VPN, which can be a drag on network performance.


The mention of backupd in the crash report you posted, and its mention in one of the Etrecheck reports for a panic, makes me wonder if one or more of your external drives (or other devices) is causing some sort of conflict, perhaps in the way it is connected.


One test could be to disconnect all external devices and see if the panics are gone. Then you can bring them back one or two at a time to see what causes them to reoccur.


The above does not identify any glaring culprit but are offered mainly in the spirit of pointing you in the direction of a few things for you to check into.

Jan 24, 2025 2:25 PM in response to Terry Smelker

The Crash Log has little info for us end users like yourself. However, the Etrecheck report is an extremely helpful diagnostic tool that lets us zero in on what might be causing the problem. If you don't want to run and post it according to this user tip, How to run and post an Etrecheck report using the Add Text feature, we won't be able to help you further.


Jan 24, 2025 1:33 AM in response to Terry Smelker

To skip the Q&A session, just download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer. 


It’s a diagnostic tool that doesn’t change your computer at all. It gives you a clear and easy-to-read list of both your hardware and software


You can get it for free or pay for extra features. And don’t worry, the report won’t reveal any personal information. 


Once you’re done, just copy and paste the full report using the Additional Text Icon.


We can have a look at the report and see if we may have suggestions to remedy this issue



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MacBook Pro restarts unexpectedly

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