My Mac crashes and shuts down when charger is unplugged, not immediately Hey so my Macbook Pro (Retina 15" 2014 i7 2.6GHz, High Sierra (institute doesn't allow me to update)) is turning itself off randomly, and as far as I've figured out this will only occur when the power is unplugged. At first I found it being more common when my laptop was feeling quite hot, and perhaps even my laptop seems to start overheating when I unplug it? This is very possibly not the case though, I'm trying to find a pattern where there might not be one. 

I reset the SMC and did all the other stuff listed on the apple website of "what to do if your mac keeps shutting off".

The screen seems to go off with a backlight still on for some time, and then either it gets stuck and I have to hold down power to shut it down, or it fully shuts down itself. This can occur after 3 hours of no problems using battery, or it can happen within 5 mins and then every 5 mins thereafter for the next 30-45 mins. 

I have no sudo privileges fwiw, if there's no solution I can do myself, I'll take it to my institute whose laptop it is, but given current situation I'm trying to avoid making that journey. 

Thanks!
Unfortunately, you have to make that journey as there’s really nothing you can do. 


if it’s the battery or hardware, which I suspect, it’s got to go in for service
if it’s an update or macOS issue, your IT department will have to address since it’s locked down as you describe
even some of the diagnostic procedures will require sudo access which you stated you don’t have means you have to take it in


When an IT department locks down an asset like yours, it’s best to let them handle things. They should have loaners and/or replacements at the ready.  Make sure when you communicate to them, emphasize that it stops your work (just some lingo to use to prioritize you in the  queue).