Touch Bar disappeared + shuts down (kernel panic) when sleeping [MBP 2016]

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Level 1

4 points

Touch Bar disappeared + shuts down (kernel panic) when sleeping [MBP 2016]

So my Touch Bar stopped working completely (not lighting up + not responsive), the Touch Bar options in the keyboard section of the System preferences disappeared...

At the same time, my Macbook started crashing and restarting with an error message every time it goes into sleep mode(kernel panic), on battery as well as on the charger.

My set up :

MacBook Pro 15" late 2016 - 2,9 GHz Intel Core i7 - 2Tb

Running on Monterey (12.6), up to date.

What I already did:

I restarted the computer --> It didn't work.

I tried to reset the SMC and the NVRAM/PRAM --> It didn't work.

I checked in the system report --> I don't see the Touch Bar in the USB section

I quitted TouchBarServer in Activity Monitor --> It didn't work. (btw, no trace of Control Strip here!)

I entered the Terminal and tried :

killall ControlStrip --> not found !

sudo pkill TouchBarServer --> found, but doesn't change anything

I reinstalled the MacOS --> It didn't work.

I tried to login as a Guest --> no difference...

I ran the Apple Diagnostic --> everything seams ok, nothing detected !

I rebooted in Safe Mode --> Same issue (Touch Bar dead and crashes in sleep mode)

I checked the SSD with Disk Utility --> All fine !

I ran Malwarebytes --> nothing detected

I ran EtrecheckPro : 92 kernel panic in the last 7-30days

I live on an island and there's no Apple center around here so I tried something by disconnecting the Touch Bar connectors from the mother-board and restarted the MacBook to see I the Touch Bar was the origin of the crash but the kernel panic still happens when the laptop goes into sleep mode.

Appart from that 2 issues, the computer works great performance wise...

Does anyone know what could be causing this ?

What do you think is left for me to try ?

I found a threat here on the Apple Community of someone (Tegolo) who described the exact same two issues in 2020 but didn't say if the problem got solved, so Tegolo, if you happen to read this, I would love to know what was the issue in the end !

Thanks in advance !

Nicolas

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Oct 26, 2022 11:28 AM

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Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

68,618 points

Oct 27, 2022 10:29 AM in response to Nicolas_hs

Nicolas_hs wrote:

HWTech wrote:

I know you ran First Aid, but the summary report can lie so it is best to manually examine the report to look for any unfixed errors.

Right, and how can I do that then ?

When you get the First Aid summary, click "Show Details" to examine the report details.

It is also best to run First Aid on the hidden Container as well so it will scan all the APFS volumes within the Container. Within Disk Utility you may need to click "View" and select "Show All Devices" so the hidden Container appears on the left pane of Disk Utility.

Do you think performing a clean install of Monterey is worth a try ?

If you have not performed a clean install of macOS, then maybe. It would be something that Apple would want you to try before getting the laptop serviced. You can install macOS to an external USB3 SSD if you want instead of to the internal SSD. Keep in mind a clean install involves erasing the SSD before selecting the "Reinstall macOS" option. You should test the laptop with the clean install before migrating from a backup or installing any third party apps. If a clean install with no migration or third party apps has the same issue, then you know you have a hardware issue of some sort.

Make sure to have a good backup. You will need the backup to prevent data loss with the clean install and if/when the laptop is serviced.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,618 points

Oct 27, 2022 5:58 AM in response to Nicolas_hs

I don't see any of the normal items to cause the Kernel Panics.

If you performed a clean install of macOS by first erasing the SSD, then that eliminates the possibility of a file system issue causing the panics. I know you ran First Aid, but the summary report can lie so it is best to manually examine the report to look for any unfixed errors.

Make sure to disconnect all external devices in case one of them is causing a problem.

You have performed great troubleshooting.

I believe both of your issues (Kernel Panics and Touchbar issues) are all caused by hardware issues. Sorry I couldn't come up with a better alternative than repair or new purchase.

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Answer 3

Nicolas_hs Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 11, 2022 2:36 PM in response to Nicolas_hs

UPDATE

I replaced the Touch Bar and it didn't solve any of the issue ... so it seems to come from the mother board :(

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Answer 4

HWTech

Level 9

68,618 points

Oct 26, 2022 4:16 PM in response to Nicolas_hs

It would help if you posted the EtreCheck report here. Within the EtreCheck app click the "Share" button, then select "Copy Report" to the clipboard. Then on the forum editing toolbar click the "Additional Text" icon which looks like a piece of paper and paste the contents of the clipboard into the "Additional Text" field top post the report here.

Unfortunately Safe Mode disables the Touchbar so Safe Mode is not an option for testing Touchbar issues. From everything you have tried, I suspect the laptop has a hardware issue which will need to be repaired.

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Answer 5

Nicolas_hs Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 28, 2022 7:09 AM in response to HWTech

Well... it is a Hardware issue then ! I ran Monterey on an USB3 SSD and all the issues remain...

I saw on AskDifferent a thread where someone found a problem of grounding of the mother board that was shutting down the Touch Bar ... I'll try to look into that ...

Thank for your help !!

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