OS X Yosemite Keeps Crashing To Log-In Screen

As one of the posters mentioned, this thread defines several scenarios which cause the "Crash back to Login" bug. My situation is comparable to several posts here that mention minimizing or reducing the size of a window. I have a mid-2012 MBP running 10.10.3. I also have an external monitor (via Kensington dock).

In my case, the problem started immediately after upgrading from Mavericks to Yosemite. It was first noticed when I was running PowerPoint (Office for MAC 2011) and I minimized the PPT window while working on a presentation. I noticed that the MBP froze and then it went dark, eventually back at login screen (and external disks remounting).

Over time, I realized that I could make it happen EVERY TIME. I would just minimize the PPT window and crash behavior and back to login screen.

I wrote this off to some problem with PPT, and just lived with it.

TODAY, after upgrading to iTunes 12.2, I went to minimize the iTunes window and it happened again. For me, this was the very first time it ever happened outside of the PPT scenario above. So, I googled and found this thread.

Once I read how to find the system log files on the crash report, I did identify for my situation it was a crash of WindowServer (which makes perfect sense due to the behavior).

If any Apple Support person is reading this, because I have the unique ability to make this happen on demand, every time, perhaps I can send you some log files and be of assistance.

I do reiterate that this thread seems to reveal likely numerous scenarios where the end result is the same - "crash and back to login" - but likely there are MANY MANY different issues at play.

CP

I have exactly same problem as you CraigP1959 told.

It started last week, and I can do it when just minimazing itunes.

I have mac mini late 2012 yosemite 10.10.4.

15 days, since I updated to10.10.4 release, W/O crashes, I think is the longest time I've been W/O crashes since I updated to Yosemite, so cross fingers...

as we have learn in this thread, an update could fix the problem for some users/scenarios but not for all...

STILL CRASHING! 😠😠😠😠😠

This is exactly what happens to me. Crashes several times per day on it's own now with 10.10.5, but is easily reproduced by minimizing iTunes. Crashes every time.

I have the same issue as Craig on MBPro Retina Late 2013 with 10.10.5

Same login issue occurs on my MB Air. I use two external monitors (one thunderbolt, one USB3) and network via a thunderbolt hub. I have had very infrequent issues but they have been getting more regular and within 30-45 mins of each other today. I have been having the problem all day, almost always when switching between apps, or opening something new within an app (new excel file, new email, etc), and always when using the laptop. Tried rebooting and all patching is up to date. Tried closing everything not used regularly to no avail. I have suspected it is to do with the displays and load. Removed the laptop from the hub (and by proxy external displays and to wifi) and it appears rock solid. It almost definitely seems to be to do with load and external displays.

This is exactly my situation. Always a PPT and I can replicate it on demand!

The first time I had it happen, when the laptop was new and office 365 was first loaded I had the same and it seemed to be ppt. I narrowed it to 2 files trying to open, and as you say could replicate on demand. I have not since tried those files (can't even recall which ones) and it settled but has since gotten worse over the last couple of weeks. It was maybe once every 2-4 days which was bearable but yesterday it took me 5 hours to do 1 hours work (between logouts and trying to figure out what the **** was going on)! Yesterday it was either an outlook email or excel file (as in if I tried to go to one or the other).. Been off the thunderbolt and external screens 24 hours and no issues at all. About to try and re connect and see if the issues reappear.

Hello all!

I have regonized this problem to itunes. If I change somethink in my itunes and then minimaze the itunes window, os x crashes to login screen.

Any other software doesnt do this. If I close itunes, then starting it and after that minimaze it, it does not crashing. Crashing happens only when changing somethink or moving or removing content on itunes. I will try to upgrade to El Capitan when it is released.

Sry for my english! Hope this helps everyone!

I'm so sick of this,

Does anyone know if a clean install of Yosemite without restoring system files fix the problem???

I mean, it should, isn't it? as many people doesn't have this problem, seems obvious as long as its not a hardware issue...

Just thinking about installing all the software again, their preferences... such a pain! 😟

My honest opinion after all my attempts over a long time is that nothing permanently helps. If your solution seems to work, please report a week later after continuous use. Lots of people seem to come up with "the solution" and then find it fail 4 or 5 days later.

I gave up and am using Mailplane now, as much as I like the aesthetics of Apple Mail. It was just hopeless. And Apple Support couldn't help either.

doug

have been on the beta of el capitan and no issue.

Thank you, this was enough for me to fix the problem on my machine.

For me, there was a 100% reliable repro: minimizing iTunes logged me out. I set a marker in Console and the message immediately following was

loginwindow: ERORR | -[LoginApp windowServerExited] | Window Server exited, closing down the session immediately.

I logged back in, disconnected the miniport graphics connector, minimized iTunes, and for the first time in forever, it didn't crash. Minimized happily and no more problems.

I think the Late 2009 MacMini has some serious graphics issues. I read another thread here that indicated the performance problems I was having in VNC were due to not having a monitor plugged in (I was running headless), which is the whole reason I had plugged something into the miniDVI port. So it seems my options now are:

• run headless, and enjoy terrible VNC performance
• plug in a monitor, and crash often (like when minimizing iTunes)

Yay.

I completely agree with you.

I'm having this problem with macbook pro 2012 OSX 10.11 el capitan and samsung 850 evo SSD 500 GB.

I have a iMac 2009 with samsung 840 SSD 500 GB but none of this issue.

Continuous crashing at start up error reading kext cache an continuous crashing on mail Office ecc.

Crashing after deep stand by sometimes (timing problem ??)

Doing fresh install, recovery hours spent but nothing. I Have now a problem on 5Ghz wlan issue solved on yosemite.

I'm a mac user from 2005, never seen things like this.

It's frustrating because I can't find solution to this errors.