M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro Owners Complain of Crashes Playing HDR YouTube Videos

Some 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro owners have been experiencing kernel crashes when watching HDR YouTube videos, according to a number of complaints on the MacRumors forums.

macbook pro 3
As explained by MacRumors reader Cababah, watching an HDR YouTube video in Safari and then scrolling through the comments results in a kernel error on macOS Monterey 12.0.1. Watching YouTube in full screen and then and exiting full screen mode can also cause the error, and it may be primarily affecting 16GB machines, though 32GB/64GB models can also be affected.

Other MacRumors readers were able to replicate the error, which appears to happen after watching a few YouTube videos. From MacRumors reader spiritedaway:

Been happening to me as well, YouTube 4K HDR video on Safari. After closing full screen playback the Mac completely shuts down and reboots. M1 Pro 16". I can pretty much get it to do it every single time

From MacRumors reader Sam.b1:

I'm getting the same error under the same conditions, 4k HDR YouTube playback on Safari/Chrome. At first I thought it could have been some Chrome bug but then it crashed in Safari too. I'm running Monterey 12.0.1, 16 inch M1 Max with 32GB RAM. I haven't tried the workarounds yet. I'm thinking I should just exchange it, not sure.

Some ‌MacBook Pro‌ owners speculate that it's an issue with AV1 decoding, but it is not yet clear what the specific problem is or if it's something that can be fixed in a software update. Not all ‌MacBook Pro‌ owners are seeing this issue, but we were able to replicate it in our own testing.

The macOS Monterey 12.1 beta may fix the problem as some users are reporting improved performance after updating. If you're experiencing the same issue with YouTube, let us know in the comments.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

Xtir Avatar
48 months ago
Oh well, intel wasn't that bad..
Score: 48 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dysamoria Avatar
48 months ago

Apple forgot to test that feature now they know and will release an update.
Apple forget to test a LOT of their software these days...
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
48 months ago
Can we blame the notch?

Apple: We are desperate for a new MacOS Monterey software update.

Please fix this issue and the 120hz in safari. The ProMotion in Safari isn’t working. Why is it not being offered in Safari?
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
locrumo Avatar
48 months ago
Will be fixed in the next M2 series.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
greenbreadmmm Avatar
48 months ago
It'll prolly be until .3 before the true ins and outs of these m1pro/max machines are ironed out
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rafagon Avatar
48 months ago
It's probably due to people cleaning their screen with something other than the official Apple polishing cloth.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)