MacBook Pro 16” M1 Pro – random shutdowns & boot loops

[N4wfel]

Hey everyone,


I’m really struggling with my MacBook Pro 16” M1 Pro. For about two weeks it has started shutting down randomly without any warning. Sometimes it works fine for 1–2 hours, other times it reboots after just a few minutes, even when I’m not touching it.


• ⁠After a random shutdown, when I restart, macOS runs a disk check (fsck_apfs) as if the power was cut off.



• ⁠I already tried Safe Mode and even a full DFU restore it helped for a while, but the random shutdowns came back.



• ⁠The machine sometimes runs stable for hours (especially after being left on the charger overnight), then suddenly crashes again.



• ⁠No kernel panic logs, just abrupt power loss / random boot loops.


I dropped it off at a repair shop and they mentioned a possible logic board replacement. That’s super expensive for me (I’m a student), so I was hoping it could be fixed at the component level.



Has anyone had similar issues with M1 Pro machines randomly shutting down? Was it power management, battery, or something else? Any input would really help 🙏


I’ll add a short video showing the problem so you can see what’s happening.

 

[Bigwaff]

Run Apple Diagnostics. Perhaps you get an error code which will point to a specific component.

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

Apple Diagnostics, formerly known as Apple Hardware Test, can check your Mac for hardware issues.

support.apple.com

 

[MacCheetah3]

⁠I already tried Safe Mode and even a full DFU restore it helped for a while, but the random shutdowns came back.

A “while” being? Days? Weeks?

Have you tried a new user account and just the absolutely essential apps (e.g., no ad blockers, no utilities)?
I realize, as a student, you’ll need to use something, perhaps even need some third-party apps. But, again, keep it crucially minimal.

⁠The machine sometimes runs stable for hours (especially after being left on the charger overnight), then suddenly crashes again.

View attachment 2543426

It does appear possibly power handling rooted but that can be deceptive. I think, it best to do a thorough troubleshooting in eliminating software possibilities first. Nonetheless, something else you could try is a power bank, for example:

UGREEN Power Bank 25,000mAh 145W Laptop Portable Charger, Nexode 3-Port USB C PD Battery Pack, for MacBook Pro/Air, Dell XPS, iPhone 16/15/14, Galaxy S24, Steam Deck, iPad, and More

Equipped with PD3.1,QC3.0, and capable of 145W of fast charging speed! 30mins charge a 16" Macbook Pro 0-56%，Ugreen's portable charge power bank comes with a massive 25,000mAh battery and a total power output of 145W! Completely recharge laptops up to 1.3 times and mobile devices up to 5.6 times,...

www.amazon.com

 

[N4wfel]

A “while” being? Days? Weeks?

Have you tried a new user account and just the absolutely essential apps (e.g., no ad blockers, no utilities)?
I realize, as a student, you’ll need to use something, perhaps even need some third-party apps. But, again, keep it crucially minimal.



It does appear possibly power handling rooted but that can be deceptive. I think, it best to do a thorough troubleshooting in eliminating software possibilities first. Nonetheless, something else you could try is a power bank, for example:

UGREEN Power Bank 25,000mAh 145W Laptop Portable Charger, Nexode 3-Port USB C PD Battery Pack, for MacBook Pro/Air, Dell XPS, iPhone 16/15/14, Galaxy S24, Steam Deck, iPad, and More

Equipped with PD3.1,QC3.0, and capable of 145W of fast charging speed! 30mins charge a 16" Macbook Pro 0-56%，Ugreen's portable charge power bank comes with a massive 25,000mAh battery and a total power output of 145W! Completely recharge laptops up to 1.3 times and mobile devices up to 5.6 times,...

www.amazon.com

Thanks for the suggestions. I actually already tried Safe Mode and even a full DFU restore – it only helped for about 3 hours max, then the random shutdowns came back.


I haven’t tried with a fresh user account yet, but since the machine sometimes crashes even when idle (nothing open, just charging overnight), I’m leaning more toward a power-handling or board-level issue rather than software..



Appreciate the tip about testing with a power bank — I might give that a shot to see if it changes anything 🙏

 

[N4wfel]

Run Apple Diagnostics. Perhaps you get an error code which will point to a specific component.

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

Apple Diagnostics, formerly known as Apple Hardware Test, can check your Mac for hardware issues.

support.apple.com

Thanks! I actually already ran Apple Diagnostics a few times. The only code I got was PPP020, which points to the power port. But what’s weird is that this error only shows up when running on battery — when the charger is connected, Diagnostics reports no issues at all..

 

[MobyOne]

Are the crashes only on battery power?