Clues as to why my MacBook Pro shuts itself down

[awj]

Last weekend I did a complete reinstall of the OS on my MacBook Pro - removed existing partitions (it used to run Windows / Boot Camp) and reinstalled from Disk Utility. Aside from a handful of applications my system is pristine.

But since doing this my system has started shutting down of its own accord. I can be in the middle of writing an email, browsing the web - simple tasks, nothing which even has the fan going. And suddenly the shutdown process takes over. It's happened while on battery and, I'm pretty sure I've also had it on mains power when this has happened.

It doesn't suddenly turn off, it does go through the shut-down process as if I had chosen to do this.

The MacBook is a late 2013 model, so it's no spring chicken, but I had the main board replaced about 4.5 years ago. I used the laptop as my work and personal machine until about 2 months ago, so it would be on all day, every day. At the start of this year I was given a new laptop from my work so my MacBook has been used only occasionally. Then I decided to do the whole thorough drive-cleaning thing, and then it started shutting down.

So while it could be hardware-related (perhaps caused by being used a lot less?), I'm also suspicious that this has started since I re-staged the system.

Is there some way I can ask the OS for recent events like this? For example, I know that Windows has the Event Viewer - is there a Mac equivalent or some way of having it report to me on such events that could indicate whether these shut-downs are hardware- or software-related?

 

[MacInWin]

In the Utilities folder there is a utility called Console that will let you look at the various logs the system keeps about events like that. May or may not be helpful, but that's where you can start.

 

[lclev]

I would also suggest resetting the SMC and the NVRAM. It won't hurt and it will clear out and reset things.

Here is an article on how to do the resets:

How to fix random MacBook shutdowns

Check out the tips and tricks on how to prevent your Mac from restarting and shutting down unexpectedly. The guide also covers the troubleshooting method for 13-inch MacBook Pro shutdowns.

setapp.com

Lisa

 

[awj]

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for the reply. Resetting the SMC has made no difference. The linked page also suggests resetting the PRAM using CMD + Shift + P + R but this doesn't seem to do anything. For example, the page says...

Release the keys once you see the Apple logo for the second time, hear the second startup time, or after 20 seconds.

...but none of those happen, the notebook simply starts as normal. Is there another way to reset the PRAM? Was the key combination different on older MacBooks?

 

[lclev]

It is a bit tricky. This is what I do - I shut down my mac then use one hand to hold down the Option + Command press the power button and quickly use my other hand to press the P + R keys. Keep holding the keys down - the screen will be black and you should see the apple logo usually twice - it is a much longer process than you will think it is and you will have to hold down the keys for a bit.

If your mac just starts up quickly do it again.

Lisa

 

[Rod]

Thats a great suggestion Lisa. Although I have done this a few times it's obviously awkward to do and usually takes a few tries for me as well.

 

[awj]

Thanks Lisa - I realised where i was going wrong...


The guide instructed me to use Cmd + Shift. That had no effect, whereas using Cmd + Option I heard the startup sound twice, so it evidently worked.

I'll need to monitor the MacBook over the next several evenings to see if the shut-downs are still occurring.

Thanks again.

 

[ferrarr]

Where did you get that instruction guide from?

 

[awj]

The 3rd post in this thread.

 

[lclev]

Sorry. Never assume the article is correct! My bad!

Lisa

 

[IWT]

Lisa. You are not to blame. The article was wrong but your post number 5 correctly set out what the proper sequence was. And it worked.

Ian

 

[pm-r]

Lisa. You are not to blame. The article was wrong but your post number 5 correctly set out what the proper sequence was. And it worked.

Ian

That reminds me of something I read the other day which deserves repeating I guess:

“Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.” — Abraham Lincoln

I guess he was right...


- Patrick
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[lclev]

Thanks Ian - I know that but truthfully I did not catch it. I did a reset on my MBP's NVRAM to see what I did and how I could explain it better. I found myself typing out what I do automatically and never realized the directions in the article were wrong.

And Patrick is correct - can't believe all that you read.

Lisa

 

[awj]

It's been almost a week now, with daily use of my MacBook, and since resetting PRAM there have been no 'autonomous shutdowns'.

Thanks for your help, guys.

 

[IWT]

It's been almost a week now, with daily use of my MacBook, and since resetting PRAM there have been no 'autonomous shutdowns'.

Thanks for your help, guys.

Brilliant!

Ian

 

[pm-r]

It's been almost a week now, with daily use of my MacBook, and since resetting PRAM there have been no 'autonomous shutdowns'.

Thanks for your help, guys.

Thanks for posting back with the good results.

It seems that resetting the PRAM can be a real solution to a lot of Mac ills.


- Patrick
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