What to do if your MacBook keeps crashing

If your MacBook® keeps crashing—whether during startup, while browsing, or randomly throughout the day—it could be a sign of something serious. But not always. Sometimes, the fix is simple: a rogue app, a pending software update, or a setting that needs a reset.

At Asurion, our experts help millions of customers troubleshoot and repair their devices—MacBooks included. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common reasons your Mac might be crashing and how to fix it. If you need a hand along the way, we’re here for you—stop by your nearest uBreakiFix by Asurion store.

Common reasons your MacBook crashes

There are a few usual suspects when it comes to MacBook instability:

• Outdated macOS software
• App conflicts or incompatible software
• Corrupted system files or cache
• Too many apps running at once
• Hardware problems like overheating or bad memory

How to fix a crashing MacBook

Try these steps in order—they often resolve the issue without needing a repair.

1. Restart your Mac

It sounds simple, but restarting your Mac clears out temporary system junk and refreshes memory.

• Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner.
• Select Restart.

2. Update macOS and your apps

Software bugs and outdated apps can cause crashes.

• Open System Settings > General > Software Update.
• Install any macOS updates available.
• Then, open the App Store and check for app updates.

3. Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads only essential system processes and can help isolate the problem.

• Shut down your Mac.
• Press the Power button and immediately hold the Shift key (Intel) or Power until options appear (M1/M2).
• Log in and use the Mac briefly to see if it still crashes.

If the problem goes away in Safe Mode, a third-party app or extension is likely the cause.

4. Remove recently installed apps or extensions

Think back to when the crashing started. Did you install a new app around that time?

• Open Finder > Applications.
• Delete any apps you don’t recognize or recently added.
• Restart your Mac and test.

5. Run Disk Utility to repair your drive

A corrupted disk or system files can lead to crashes.

• Open Disk Utility (search in Spotlight).
• Select your drive and click First Aid > Run.

This will check and repair disk errors automatically.

6. Reset NVRAM and SMC (Intel Macs only)

These are special memory controllers that affect power, display, and performance.

To reset NVRAM:

• Shut down your Mac.
• Turn it on and immediately hold Option + Command + P + R for about 20 seconds.

To reset SMC (for most Intel models):

• Shut down your Mac.
• Hold Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds, then release and turn it on.

When to bring in your MacBook for repair

If you’ve tried all of the above and your Mac still crashes, the issue could be:

• A failing SSD or internal drive
• Overheating due to dust or fan issues
• Defective RAM or logic board components
• Water damage or power-related faults

We recommend bringing it to your nearest uBreakiFix by Asurion store for a free diagnostic. Our certified technicians can identify the problem quickly and get your MacBook working again—fast and hassle-free.

FAQs

Why does my MacBook crash when I open certain apps?

Some apps may not be compatible with your macOS version or may be corrupted. Try updating or reinstalling the app—or delete it if it causes repeated crashes.

Can overheating cause my MacBook to crash?

Yes. If your Mac gets too hot, it may shut down or crash to protect the hardware. Clean the vents, avoid using it on soft surfaces, and check fan performance.

Will resetting my Mac fix crashing issues?

It can, but it should be a last resort. Try updating, removing apps, and running Disk Utility first. If the problem persists, you may consider backing up your files and doing a factory reset.

How do I know if my MacBook has a hardware problem?

If your MacBook crashes even in Safe Mode, or after a clean macOS install, it’s likely hardware-related. A diagnostic at a repair shop can confirm the issue.