Why macOS Sequoia 15.6 causes random reboots
Short answer: macOS Sequoia 15.6 changed how the OS schedules background tasks across performance and efficiency cores on Apple Silicon. Third-party kernel extensions (kexts — low-level software drivers that sit inside the OS kernel) from apps like Logitech Options, Karabiner-Elements, or older virtualization tools that have not updated for 15.6 can trigger a kernel panic, which causes an immediate reboot. If the MacBook is stable in safe mode, the fault is always a software driver — not hardware — and no repair is needed.
How to diagnose and fix Sequoia 15.6 random reboots
Step 1: Read the kernel panic log in Console
Open Console (Applications → Utilities → Console). In the left sidebar, click Crash Reports and look for entries starting with "kernel" dated around the time of the unexpected reboot. The first 10 lines of the panic report identify the faulting process and the responsible kernel extension. Look for strings like com.logitech, com.vmware, com.parallels, com.karabiner, or AGXFirmwareKA (the GPU firmware driver). Screenshot this before doing anything else — it is the most useful data point for diagnosis.
Step 2: Boot into safe mode to isolate the cause
On M-series MacBooks (M1, M2, M3, M4), shut down completely, then press and hold the power button until "Loading startup options" appears. Click your startup disk, hold Shift, and click Continue in Safe Mode. On Intel MacBooks, restart and hold Shift immediately. Safe mode loads only Apple-signed drivers and disables all third-party kernel extensions. If the MacBook runs stably for an hour in safe mode, the panic is caused by a third-party kext. The fix is to update or remove the offending app — check the Console log for the exact bundle ID. See our related guide on macOS kernel panic fixes for a full app-by-app removal approach.
Step 3: Reset NVRAM (Intel) or run First Aid on the startup volume (M-series)
On Intel MacBooks, a corrupted NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM — a small chip that stores display and boot settings) can trigger spurious reboots. Restart and immediately hold Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds, then release and let the MacBook boot normally. On M-series, NVRAM resets automatically at every boot, so there is nothing to reset manually. Instead, boot into macOS Recovery (hold power button until options appear, then select Options), open Disk Utility, select your startup volume, and run First Aid to repair any filesystem inconsistency that Sequoia 15.6 may have introduced during its installation.
Step 4: The India angle — heat is the overlooked trigger
India's summer ambient temperatures (often 35–42°C indoors without AC) push MacBook M-series chips closer to their thermal protection thresholds than the same hardware in Europe or the US. Sequoia 15.6's new background-task scheduler is more aggressive about using performance cores, generating more heat under light workloads than earlier versions. If your MacBook's vents are coated with dust — common in Indian homes near construction or during Diwali — the thermal headroom disappears quickly. Cleaning the vents and ensuring the MacBook is on a hard, flat surface resolves thermal-triggered reboots in a significant number of cases we see. Our internal cleaning service covers vent clearing and thermal paste inspection for older Intel models.
When to call a repair service
When software fixes do not hold
If the MacBook reboots even in safe mode, or if Console shows a panic with no third-party kext involved — strings like page fault, ECC error, or thermal violation — the cause is hardware. Intel MacBooks from 2017–2020 commonly need thermal paste replacement after 4–5 years. M-series MacBooks need professional diagnosis — a fan replacement or deep-clean may be required. The Apple MacBook service page has more on what we handle.
Typical repair cost in India
Thermal paste replacement (Intel MacBook Pro): ₹1,500–₹3,000. Fan replacement + clean: ₹2,500–₹5,000. RAM diagnosis and replacement (Intel 2019–2022 models where RAM is soldered, replacement requires board-level work): ₹4,000–₹10,000 depending on model. Diagnosis: ₹149 at your door.
A note from the LRW Engineer Team
The Sequoia 15.6 reboot surge we saw in the workshop traced back overwhelmingly to two apps: Logitech Options+ and an older version of Parallels Desktop. Updating both to their latest builds resolved the panic on every affected machine — no hardware repair needed. Before booking a repair, check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Extensions and see what is listed under "System Extensions" — anything non-Apple is a candidate. WhatsApp us at 7702503336 if you are unsure what to remove.