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MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

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Every now and then when my macbook pro latest ventura version no beta) doesn’t have a power connection and I walk away from it and come back it has gone to a login screen that doesn’t have a picture of the user. The login screen usually has a picture in the middle, for example if you restart it.

If I then log in, all programs start again and it’s like it rebooted, but there is no notice that “macbook ended unexpectedly” or the like. The battery is not dead, it has not turned off due to battery saving as far as I can see. all word files and the like I’ve worked on are restored, but that also means you have to save them again, so it’s not without worries. Google says it could be some software causing it, but I have no idea what software is causing it. Was advised to check the system log.

The system log says it’s “Windowserver” apparently. But don’t know what I can do about it.

Anyone know what to do?

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Re: crash

In reply to MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

You write “window server” and “windowserver”. That’s not the same.

Please give a full and exact copy of what the system log says. No typos like that one.

[mrmacfixit]

Reply To: MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

In reply to MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

sounds suspiciously like your MBP is going to sleep as per your instructions in the Energy Saver Control Panel.

Reading between the lines, I gather that this “problem” only occurs when the MBP is running only on battery power.
If the problem does not happen when the MBP is attached to an outside power source, then the MBP going to sleep fairly quickly after a period, user defined, of no activity

Every time you double click a folder, it opens a new window and displays the contents of that folder in the window. The Desktop is also a window, albeit a large one, and once again WindowServer is doing it’s job by displaying all your icons exactly where you left the. All apps on you MBP rely on it to function correctly

P

• This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by mrmacfixit.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by mrmacfixit.

Reply To: MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

In reply to MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

It sounds like your MacBook Pro is experiencing a log out or restart when it’s left idle without a power connection. This could be caused by a number of factors, including a software issue, a power management setting, or a hardware problem.

Here are some steps you can try to troubleshoot the issue:

Check your power management settings: Go to System Preferences > Energy Saver and make sure that “Put hard disks to sleep when possible” and “Enable Power Nap” are unchecked. Also, make sure that the “Computer Sleep” slider is set to a reasonable amount of time (e.g. 15 minutes).

Check for software updates: Make sure that your MacBook Pro is running the latest version of macOS and that all your apps are up to date.

Check your login items: Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items and make sure that there aren’t any unnecessary or problematic apps set to launch at login.

Check your system logs: Go to Applications > Utilities > Console and look for any errors or warnings related to the WindowServer or other system components. You may need to filter the log by time or search for specific keywords.

Reset the SMC: Try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your MacBook Pro. This can help fix various power-related issues. To do this, shut down your MacBook Pro, then hold down the Shift + Control + Option keys on the left side of the keyboard, along with the power button, for 10 seconds. Release all keys, then press the power button again to turn your MacBook Pro back on.

If none of these steps help, you may need to contact Apple support or take your MacBook Pro to an authorized service provider for further diagnosis and repair.

[mrmacfixit]

Reply To: MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

In reply to MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

What is WindowServer on Mac? WindowServer is responsible for managing your Mac’s graphical interface on internal and external displays. It gathers images of the windows in the system, arranges them into the composite image that you will see on the display, and passes that image onto the GPU and display system.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by mrmacfixit.

Reply To: MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

In reply to MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

Hi Nikamearza,

It sounds like your MacBook Pro is experiencing an issue where it logs you out unexpectedly and returns to the login screen without any apparent reason. This can be frustrating, especially if you lose unsaved work.

One possible cause of this issue is a software conflict, as you mentioned. To troubleshoot this, you could try starting your MacBook in Safe Mode, which will prevent any third-party software from running.

To do this, hold down the Shift key when you start up your MacBook until the login screen appears. If the issue does not occur in Safe Mode, then it is likely caused by some software that is installed on your MacBook.

If none of these solutions work, you may need to take your MacBook to an Apple Store or authorized repair center for further diagnosis and repair.

Reply To: MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

In reply to MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

Hi Nika,
If your MacBook Pro is crashing and the system log is indicating that it’s related to “Windowserver,” there are a few things you can try:

Reset the SMC (System Management Controller) on your MacBook Pro. This can often fix power-related issues, which may be causing your MacBook Pro to crash when it’s not connected to a power source. Here’s how to reset the SMC on your MacBook Pro:
Shut down your MacBook Pro.
Hold down the Shift + Control + Option keys and the Power button at the same time for 10 seconds.
Release all keys and the power button, then turn your MacBook Pro back on.
Check for software updates on your MacBook Pro. It’s possible that a software bug is causing the Windowserver to crash. Make sure your MacBook Pro is running the latest version of macOS and that all of your apps are up to date.

Try resetting the NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) on your MacBook Pro. This can often fix issues related to login screens. Here’s how to reset the NVRAM on your MacBook Pro:

Shut down your MacBook Pro.
Press the Power button to turn it back on.
Immediately hold down the Option + Command + P + R keys.
Hold down these keys for about 20 seconds, until you hear the startup sound twice.
Release the keys and let your MacBook Pro boot up normally.
If none of these steps work, it may be worth taking your MacBook Pro to an Apple Store or authorized repair center to have it checked out by a professional.

Reply To: MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

In reply to MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

“WindowServer” is a system process that runs on macOS and is responsible for rendering the graphical user interface (GUI) of the operating system. When you interact with your Mac’s graphical interface, such as by opening a window or clicking on a button, the WindowServer process takes care of rendering those graphics on your screen.

If your MacBook Pro is crashing and you see an error message related to WindowServer, it may indicate that there is a problem with your graphics card or display drivers. Some possible reasons why your MacBook Pro may be crashing due to WindowServer errors include:

Overheating: If your MacBook Pro is getting too hot, it may cause the graphics card to malfunction, leading to WindowServer errors.

Outdated drivers: If your graphics card drivers are outdated or incompatible with your version of macOS, it may cause WindowServer errors.

Hardware issues: If there is a problem with your MacBook Pro’s graphics card or display, it may cause WindowServer errors.

Software conflicts: If there is a conflict between different software programs on your MacBook Pro, it may cause WindowServer errors.

To troubleshoot WindowServer errors on your MacBook Pro, you can try the following steps:

Check for macOS updates and install them if available.

Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your MacBook Pro.

Boot your MacBook Pro in Safe Mode and see if the WindowServer errors persist.

Check for any software conflicts by disabling or uninstalling recently installed software programs.

If none of the above steps work, you may need to take your MacBook Pro to an authorized Apple repair center to diagnose and fix any hardware issues.

Reply To: MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

In reply to MacBook Pro crashes, what is window server?

WindowServer is a process on macOS that manages the graphical user interface (GUI) and windowing system. It is responsible for rendering and displaying the windows, menus, icons, and other graphical elements that you interact with on your MacBook Pro.

When you perform tasks on your MacBook Pro, such as opening applications, moving windows, or interacting with the user interface, the WindowServer process handles the necessary graphical operations. It communicates with the graphics hardware and coordinates the display of visual elements on your screen.

If your MacBook Pro crashes and you encounter issues related to the WindowServer process, it typically means that there is a problem with the graphical system. This can happen due to various reasons, such as software bugs, conflicting applications, graphics driver issues, or even hardware problems.

To troubleshoot the issue, you can try the following steps:

Restart your MacBook Pro: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches or conflicts.

Update macOS: Make sure your MacBook Pro is running the latest version of macOS. Apple frequently releases updates that can address known issues and improve system stability.

Check for application conflicts: If the crashes occur when using specific applications, try updating or reinstalling them. In some cases, incompatible or outdated software can cause conflicts with the WindowServer process.

Reset NVRAM or PRAM: Non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) or Parameter RAM (PRAM) stores certain settings related to display resolution and other parameters. Resetting NVRAM or PRAM can sometimes resolve display-related issues.

Reset SMC: The System Management Controller (SMC) controls various hardware functions, including graphics and display settings. Resetting the SMC might help if there are issues with the graphics system.

Safe mode: Boot your MacBook Pro in safe mode by holding down the Shift key during startup. Safe mode loads a minimal set of software and drivers, which can help isolate and troubleshoot issues caused by third-party software or extensions.

Hardware diagnostics: If the crashes persist, it’s possible that there may be a hardware problem. You can run Apple’s built-in hardware diagnostics to check for any potential issues. Restart your MacBook Pro and hold down the D key during startup to access the diagnostics.

If the problem continues after attempting these steps, it may be helpful to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Au

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