Random app crashes on MBP running Sierra

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Level 1

38 points

Random app crashes on MBP running Sierra

Hi all!

I have a difficult question: I am using a MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) running MacOS Sierra10.12.6 (16G1212). Every once in a while this computer either stops completely (screen and apps in tact, but touchpad doesn't click, mouse doesn't move, keyboard cannot be used). The only thing i can do is power off and restart and then the computer always reboots correctly. This happens at least once every two or three days.

Another issue i have is that quite randomly apps stop. Mostly when TimeMachine is working, but also when it's not. Mostly it's either Chrome or Outlook which stop, but that might be because those apps are always open. Many other apps also stop randomly, even the Finder shows me a spinning ball forever. Command line tools never stop.

I use this computer for work appx. 14 hours per day every day.

How can i diagnose what is happening? I am getting to the point where i will buy a new laptop, but if i can troubleshoot and fix this problem, that would save me a lot of time compared to purchasing and installing a completely new laptop.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Ton.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.6)

Posted on Mar 15, 2018 12:31 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 15, 2018 12:47 PM in response to Toontje

A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later

You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.

Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.

Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
Disconnect all third-party peripherals.
Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences.
Start the computer in Safe Mode. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.
Use Apple Hardware Test to see if there is any hardware malfunction.
Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list. Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
Repair permissions on the Home folder: Resolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder.
Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
Download and install the OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update or 10.12.6 Combo Update or Download macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 Combo Update as needed.
Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:

Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.

When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

If none of the above helps then make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple.

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 17, 2018 10:34 AM in response to Toontje

The way to get increased visibility into what is going on inside your mac was developed by a senior contributor here. If the problem is not immediately obvious, paste the report to a reply here on the forums and readers will help you decipher it.

User tip: Using etrecheck

.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 17, 2018 10:51 AM in response to Toontje

If you believe that then boot into Safe Mode. If the problem ceases then that would confirm your hypothesis which is why that is part of my troubleshooting process. It does not identify the third-party software causing the problem so you will have to uninstall any third-party software you did install when the problem began. You can also check if the software is compatible. See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 18, 2018 10:18 AM in response to Toontje

Well, if you read my list of troubleshooting items, then you know that when all else fails a reinstall is at the end of the list. Personally, I favor the erase and install. For your computer that would follow these steps:

Install El Capitan or Later from Scratch

If possible backup your files.

Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the CommandandRkeys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
When Disk Utility loads select the volume (indented entry, usually Macintosh HD) from the Device list.
Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.

This will install the version of OS X you had installed.

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Answer 5

Toontje Author

Level 1

38 points

Mar 17, 2018 5:35 AM in response to Kappy

Nice default troubleshooting answer, but i think it's not the hardware that is the issue. I think it's one or more of my installed apps that is causing the system to fail. As i mentioned, it's a difficult problem and the Microsoft solution of "Do a chkdsk /f and a Windows Update and if that doesn't solve the issue just reinstall the system" is not the proper way forward, i think. We have Macs, we don't do things the Microsoft way. Or do we now?

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Answer 6

Toontje Author

Level 1

38 points

Mar 17, 2018 10:34 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

EtreCheck version: 4.1.3 (4A188)

Report generated: 2018-03-17 18:23:42

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime: 6:06

Performance: Below Average

Problem: Beachballing

Description:

Random apps including the Finder and menu apps randomly beachball.

Major Issues:

Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.

Gatekeeper disabled - Gatekeeper security protection is disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection.

Minor Issues:

These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems.

Heavy RAM usage - This machine is using a large amount of RAM.

Clean up - There are orphan files that could be removed.

Unsigned files - There is unsigned software installed. They appear to be legitimate but should be reviewed.

System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background.

Low performance - EtreCheck report took over 5 minutes to run. This is unusual.

32-bit Apps - This machine has 32-bits apps that may have problems in the future.

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)

MacBook Pro Model: MacBookPro12,1

1 3,1 GHz Intel Core i7 (i7-5557U) CPU: 2-core

16 GB RAM Not upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

8 GB DDR3 1867 ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

8 GB DDR3 1867 ok

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 229

Video Information:

Intel Iris Graphics 6100 - VRAM: 1536 MB

Color LCD 3360 x 2100

Drives:

disk0 - APPLE SSD SM0256G 251.00 GB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)

Internal PCI 5.0 GT/s x4 Serial ATA

disk0s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB

disk0s2 [Core Storage Container] 250.14 GB

disk1 - H******k (Journaled HFS+) 249.79 GB

disk0s3 - Recovery HD (HFS+) [Recovery] 650 MB

Mounted Volumes:

disk1 - H******k 249.79 GB (82.29 GB free)

Journaled HFS+

Mount point: /

Network:

Interface en0: Wi-Fi

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

One IPv4 address

Interface en4: Thunderbolt Ethernet

One IPv4 address

Interface SAMSUNG_MDM: SAMSUNG Modem

Interface Repleo-PL2303-00401114: USB-Serial Controller D

Interface Repleo-PL2303-30431214: USB-Serial Controller D 2

Interface Repleo-PL2303-00101114: USB-Serial Controller D 3

Interface usbserial-A106HG4K: FT232R USB UART

Interface usbserial-A503W2EC: FT232R USB UART 2

Interface en7: USB3.0 dual display

Interface en9: iPhone

Interface en3: Bluetooth PAN

System Software:

macOS Sierra 10.12.6 (16G1212)

Time since boot: About 4 hours

System Load: 2.88 (1 min ago) 2.54 (5 min ago) 2.41 (15 min ago)

Configuration Files:

File /etc/sysctl.conf exists but not expected

/etc/hosts - Count: 1

Security:

System	Status
Gatekeeper	Anywhere
System Integrity Protection	Enabled

Unsigned Files:

Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.macromates.auth_server.plist

Executable: /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.macromates.auth_server