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questionmark32

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 23, 2013
249
205
Since I installed the latest public beta, I've been having issues where my MacBook Pro (Early 2015) freezes and it completely unresponsive. I have to do a hard reboot just to use it again. Is anyone else having this issue? How did you correct it? I don't want to downgrade back to Mojave, and I have no idea when another update is coming, but this is getting ridiculous.
 

dsis

macrumors newbie
Aug 6, 2019
2
0
Yes. There is another, seemingly related, thread around here that may help: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/early-2015-macbook-air-freezes-with-inactivity.2190826/

My observation is the following:
  • There is a bug relating to power management when the Macbook Pro (Early 2015) is running on mains power and switches power saving mode - it freezes. I don't think it's when it's going to sleep because a) it goes to sleep / wakes fine and b) setting it to never to never turn display off in System Preferences->Energy Saver->Turn Display off After: Never does not help.
  • The freeze is a hard freeze (no mouse, keyboard, not even Caps Lock light will change). Only power-cycling helps.
My workaround is the following:
  • In System Preferences->Energy Saver->Disable Power Nap
  • Use the computer without plugging it into mains.
  • Charge it only when I've put it to sleep by closing the lid. Note that it's important to have power nap disabled for this.
I've managed uptime of 18 hours with the above workaround - few sleep wake cycles and a bit of charging. I cannot guarantee is bulletproof.

I've submitted this as a bug-report using the feedback assistant but it would be good if other people do likewise so that the problem hopefully gets fixed for the next beta.
 

mikiotty

macrumors 6502a
Mar 15, 2014
527
377
Rome, Italy
I have constant freezes on my 2013 13" Retina MacBook Pro where everything stops for 4-5 seconds and then works again. I hate it.
 

dsis

macrumors newbie
Aug 6, 2019
2
0
@mikiotty That sounds pretty annoying but it's not the issue we are having here. Our problem is a total system freeze nessecitating a full reboot.

I've just left the power cable plugged in now by mistake and the damned thing froze again. So I am again looking for better workarounds around the forums.
 

mikiotty

macrumors 6502a
Mar 15, 2014
527
377
Rome, Italy
@mikiotty That sounds pretty annoying but it's not the issue we are having here. Our problem is a total system freeze nessecitating a full reboot.

I've just left the power cable plugged in now by mistake and the damned thing froze again. So I am again looking for better workarounds around the forums.
Yes I know but they could be somewhat related
 

krazyj83

macrumors newbie
Aug 7, 2019
4
0
have same issue on Macbook Air 13" 2015, mine is generally always plugged in, but will try and remove power and see if it freezes on battery.

for me it typically happens when the computer is inactive for around 10-15 min and it then requires a hard reboot. did not happen in previous release of catalina, so its a new thing, at least for me

Update, I just did a few tests where the computer was on battery power only and the freeze does not seem to happen. I will try to extend the period before the computer turns off the screen and see if that makes any difference
 
Last edited:

Pastormac1usa

macrumors member
Dec 15, 2012
30
5
NJ
Yes. There is another, seemingly related, thread around here that may help: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/early-2015-macbook-air-freezes-with-inactivity.2190826/

<snippage for brevity>

I've submitted this as a bug-report using the feedback assistant but it would be good if other people do likewise so that the problem hopefully gets fixed for the next beta.

Yes, I've submitted 2 bug reports so far. I've also followed your workaround plus disabled Time Machine. I'll close the lid before I head off & see if the machine needs to be rebooted in the AM.
 

krazyj83

macrumors newbie
Aug 7, 2019
4
0
Yes, I've submitted 2 bug reports so far. I've also followed your workaround plus disabled Time Machine. I'll close the lid before I head off & see if the machine needs to be rebooted in the AM.

Have submitted a report as well. I generally don’t have any issues while on battery.
 

Pastormac1usa

macrumors member
Dec 15, 2012
30
5
NJ
So I left the power cable connected which normally means a hard reboot when I open it up later. As I said above, I disabled Power Nap & Time Machine. Opened it up today and machine just lit up as if nothing was ever wrong.

As an aside, I'm thinking we haven't seen a revised MacOS Public Beta is squashing showstoppers.
 

Pastormac1usa

macrumors member
Dec 15, 2012
30
5
NJ
So PB 5 is FINALLLLY out. Looks like the power management showstopper has been resolved. Had to update completely on battery but after the update was run I plugged the power back in and reconnected the external drive to start a Time Machine backup. So far, so good. Looks like all is normal again.
 

RednBlue

macrumors regular
Dec 17, 2013
209
81
Reading UK
All my issues with previous beta seem to have been resolved with PB5. Quick 30 minute installation, power/freezing issues all gone. Touch wood all well so far.
 
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