MacBook repeatedly crashing when idle

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MacBook repeatedly crashing when idle

My laptop was left idle for a few minutes to the point where the screensaver came up. I had two applications with windows open: Microsoft Word and Microsoft Edge. Usually, when I see the screensaver, I can wiggle the mouse and the screen wakes back up. However, this time, my mouse became visible when wiggling, but the screensaver remained. I could not get back to my windows and this was very frustrating. Nothing was happening as I clicked or hit ESC. The Touch Bar kept lighting up and changing icons as if things were changing, though. Eventually, I decided to force shutdown by holding the fingerprint/power button. When I restarted the laptop, the graphics returned very clunkily and the screen flashed white.

I am getting super aggravated. My disk space is fine, so is my storage. The thing taking up the most CPU is WindowServer. I don't want to have to get a new computer.

EtreCheck.log

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Jan 9, 2026 11:09 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

144,987 points

Jan 9, 2026 4:47 PM in response to spacemanpeanut

Antivirus software: Apple and Surfshark

2025-12-01 CleanMyMac (5.2.10) - App Store

The idea that a third party, with no special knowledge of the inner workings of MacOS, can somehow find a simple way to protect or speed up your computer — that is not already being done by MacOS itself — suggests that the MacOS developers are somehow "holding out on you". That is absurd.

You should remove any and all (other than Apple built-in) virus scanners, speeder uppers, optimizers, cleaners, App deleters or VPN packages you installed yourself, or anything of that ilk.

Your exceptionally well-crafted Macintosh computer does not accumulate filth that needs any third-party anything to clean it. Everything needed to run it efficiently was included in the box, except ONE: a drive on which to store a second copy of your files in case the first copy is damaged or deleted by accident. The backup software, Time Machine, is already present -- integrated deeply into MacOS.

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Answer 2

Jan 9, 2026 4:46 PM in response to spacemanpeanut

<< My disk space is fine >>

that's not what your etrecheck reports says:

Major Issues:

Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.

Low disk space - This computer is running critically low on free hard drive space.

In general, Boot drives with less than 20 percent FREE are in trouble. Yours has only 33.81 free as of your report. Should be closer to 200 GB Free.

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MacBook repeatedly crashing when idle

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