M1 Mac mini keep crashing and then restart.

[sunny5]

I got the first M1 Mac mini from last year and I start having a crash issue which still happening. It seems a few apps are causing the problem but even a native app is also causing the problem.

I was lucky enough to capture the moment right before it crashes. I have several videos btw. It freezes for a few sec and then shows a pink screen to restart the computer. I kept contacting Apple about this issue and I even spoke with Apple engineer but they weren't able to figure out the problem. So far, Huion Tablet app or driver is the main issue to me and I see other people having a same issue but then some people dont have a same issue.

I'm using Big Sur 11.4 and yet it crashes quite often. Once per day I would say. I really cant say Intel apps on Apple Silicon Mac is the problem cause Huion Tablet app is a native app and it was the main problem. I removed all files of Huion including plist but still, it crashes a lot. I had to format M1 Mac mini several times but it never solve the problem. It's really risky to use M1 Mac mini to work with cause it crashes randomly no matter if I use a specific app or not. I tried many testings since November 2020 but why do I have to deal with this, not Apple?

At this point, even Apple does not know what's the issue. Am I the only one having this issue?

 

[cupcakes2000]

Doesn’t that seem like some sort of logic board issue? It looks like one of a couple of fatal video card/logic board issues I have had in the past. Hope not….

 

[Apple_Robert]

I would send it to Apple for repair along with the video. You shouldn't be seeing the pink screen of death.

 

[sunny5]

I would send it to Apple for repair along with the video. You shouldn't be seeing the pink screen of death.

I already did a long time ago. They found nothing wrong.

 

[sunny5]

Doesn’t that seem like some sort of logic board issue? It looks like one of a couple of fatal video card/logic board issues I have had in the past. Hope not….

Apple Store said no hardware issues so it has to do with software.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Apple Store said no hardware issues so it has to do with software.

Maybe take what support, even in the store, says with a pinch of salt. They try but they’re reading from a spec sheet. Has it been tested physically?

 

[sunny5]

Maybe take what support, even in the store, says with a pinch of salt. They try but they’re reading from a spec sheet. Has it been tested physically?

Yes, but let me try to ask them again cause this issue consisted since last November.

 

[mi7chy]

No video corruption so more likely software issue but doesn't rule out hardware issue. Seems like you've already done all the suggestions like clean reinstall of MacOS. I see it pink screen of death with Safari. Does it do the same with just Chrome? If so, I would buy another new unit from Apple and try to replicate the issue. If the new unit doesn't pink screen of death then you know it's a hardware fault with old unit then pursue refund from Apple for the old defective unit. If they play dumb file a small claims since you have all the evidence. Otherwise, if the new unit behaves the same then it's likely software so return new unit within return period and either wait for software fix or pursue small claims for refund of old unit.

 

[Fravin]

How's your display connected?

 

[sunny5]

No video corruption so more likely software issue but doesn't rule out hardware issue. Seems like you've already done all the suggestions like clean reinstall of MacOS. I see it pink screen of death with Safari. Does it do the same with just Chrome? If so, I would buy another new unit from Apple and try to replicate the issue. If the new unit doesn't pink screen of death then you know it's a hardware fault with old unit then pursue refund from Apple for the old defective unit. If they play dumb file a small claims since you have all the evidence. Otherwise, if the new unit behaves the same then it's likely software so return new unit within return period and either wait for software fix or pursue small claims for refund of old unit.

I had 2 M1 Mac mini. Same issues occurred. It's too late to return it.

 

[mi7chy]

I had 2 M1 Mac mini. Same issues occurred. It's too late to return it.

If the two units were acquired around the same period then they might be the same hardware revision. I'd try something manufactured recently to hopefully get a newer hardware revision with potential fix.

External displays have been a common M1 issue. Another option is discuss exchange for M1 MBA or MBP since you can just use the built-in display which hasn't been an issue.

 

[sunny5]

External displays have been a common M1 issue. Another option is discuss exchange for M1 MBA or MBP since you can just use the built-in display which hasn't been an issue.

Not sure if I want that cause I need a monitor and I'm still waiting for High end iMac or Mac Pro mini. I got them on Nov and March.

 

[mr.steevo]

If the two units were acquired around the same period then they might be the same hardware revision. I'd try something manufactured recently to hopefully get a newer hardware revision with potential fix.

External displays have been a common M1 issue. Another option is discuss exchange for M1 MBA or MBP since you can just use the built-in display which hasn't been an issue.

Or an iMac

 

[Fravin]

Not sure if I want that cause I need a monitor and I'm still waiting for High end iMac or Mac Pro mini.

Maybe your issues are related to the display's connection.

If you are using HDMI, I would suggest to forget it and use an USB-C -> DP cable.

I had no issues since changing to USB-C out.

 

[sunny5]

How come the display is causing the crash and restart on M1 Mac mini? I dont understand that part. It's not about the screen, it's about the computer crashing and restarting.

 

[sunny5]

Or an iMac

I cant sell my 16GB M1 Mac mini and I dont want to waste my time on selling it. 24 inch iMac's cooling system is already worse than M1 Mac mini.

 

[Fravin]

It's because the error is related to GPU, not the CPU. This error you shown is a GPU crash. Since the GPU is a vital part of M1, MacOS can't tackle the halt in GPU and restart the entire computer.

It's easy to find the log about crashes in MacOS, and you can see that GPU crashed.

Google M1 and display issues. That magenta screen is very common with people using 4K monitors via HDMI.

 

[Fravin]

In the past, when the CPU and GPU were different "computers" running close as one (linked by the PCIE bus) You should only experiment a freeze, and the MacOS would shut the GPU off and on again.

But now, it's already part of the CPU.

 

[sunny5]

It's because the error is related to GPU, not the CPU. This error you shown is a GPU crash. Since the GPU is a vital part of M1, MacOS can't tackle the halt in GPU and restart the entire computer.

It's easy to find the log about crashes in MacOS, and you can see that GPU crashed.

Google M1 and display issues. That magenta screen is very common with people using 4K monitors via HDMI.

Are you sure? According to EtreCheckPro, I'm not having any GPU issues and never had GPU crashes. Btw I'm using BenQ SW2700PT with 2K resolution, not 4K. Instead, Im getting high CPU usage.

 

[mi7chy]

If you are using HDMI, I would suggest to forget it and use an USB-C -> DP cable.

I had no issues since changing to USB-C out.

DP 1.4 is a downgrade in bandwidth and capabilities compared to HDMI 2.1 plus not all displays have DP like my newly acquired LG C1.

 

[sunny5]

Technically, I'm using DP to HDMI. I really dont think it's a problem. It happens after I download apps.

 

[sunny5]

Update 1

I scheduled for the repair at the store which I already did before but I'm gonna ask for replacement if it does not fix at all. I'm really tire of dealing with this issue for several months right after I bought M1 Mac mini...

 

[Fravin]

Are you sure? According to EtreCheckPro, I'm not having any GPU issues and never had GPU crashes. Btw I'm using BenQ SW2700PT with 2K resolution, not 4K. Instead, Im getting high CPU usage.

Yes I am.

The resolution doesn't matter. It was simply by referencing purposes. EtreCheck won't point the GPU as the guilty because it doesn't split the two. It can only sees one chip.

How are you connecting your display?

 

[Fravin]

DP 1.4 is a downgrade in bandwidth and capabilities compared to HDMI 2.1 plus not all displays have DP like my newly acquired LG C1.

Yep, it is. But you should be aware of cable and display matching. The point here isn't related with bandwidth but How Apple build the connection between a native DP GPU and an HDMI output.

Some people are advising about poor refresh rates, others are talking about artifacts, while some are complaining about vertical lines while scrolling... But all of them have the same error, a filled screen with green or magenta right before an unexpected restart.

These issues are reported to be gone after using the DP port in Thunderbolt.

 

[sunny5]

Yes I am.

The resolution doesn't matter. It was simply by referencing purposes. EtreCheck won't point the GPU as the guilty because it doesn't split the two. It can only sees one chip.

How are you connecting your display?

Im using DP to HDMI. Then how come Im not having issues when I'm using it without 3rd party apps?