Kernel Panic on Mac: What It Is? How to Stop & Fix It? [Troubleshooting Solution]

Mac system crash (Kernel Panic) is one of the most unwilling problems Mac users want to encounter. It causes the Mac to suddenly display an error message and restart, and the work in progress may be lost. This article will guide you on how to resolve and prevent Mac system crashes.

Mac system crashes occur when there is a problem with the macOS kernel. The kernel is the core component of Unix-like operating systems including macOS. The most common cause is software errors, but it can also be hardware failures.

What is a Mac system crash?

Mac system crash refers to the situation where the Mac restarts due to a specific problem. It is usually caused by program conflicts, unlike the rainbow circles that occur when an application crashes. System crashes will only occur if the computer is problematic enough to not function properly.

What causes Mac system crash

Many factors can cause Mac system crashes, such as incompatible software or device conflicts. In many cases, these problems are not enough to cause the system to crash and the Mac will continue to work properly. But if the problem is serious, macOS may restart to protect the system.

Other causes of Mac system crash include:

• Insufficient memory
• The system disk is full
• The root file system cannot be found
• File system lost
• Disk permission settings are incorrect or corrupted

How to fix Mac system crash

Regardless of the cause of the system crash diagnosed by the Mac, it can be solved in the following ways:

1. Safe mode startup
2. Check for crash reports
3. View kernel crash log
4. Update software
5. Disable the startup item
6. Check disk space
7. Check peripheral equipment
8. Run Apple Diagnostics
9. Remove third-party kernel extensions
10. Run Disk Utility in Disk Utility
11. Reinstall macOS
12. Contact Professional Support

Please try the following solutions in order:

1. Safe mode startup

Safe Mode boot can check whether there are software problems with the Mac. It only loads the drivers and applications required for macOS to run. If the Mac no longer crashes in safe mode, it is likely that it is a problem caused by third-party software.

For Intel Mac:

1. Turn off your Mac and wait for 10 seconds.
2. Turn on and hold down the Shift key immediately.
3. Release Shift key when you see the login screen.

For M1, M2, or M3 Mac:

1. Turn off your Mac and wait for 10 seconds.
2. Press and hold the Power button until the Start Options window appears.
3. Select Startup Disk.
4. Hold down the Shift key.
5. Click "Safe Mode Start". Then release the Shift key.

2. Check the crash report

macOS records its performance information, including crash information. Checking for crash reports is an effective way to diagnose system crashes. You can view these reports in the console tool, or open the crash log file in Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports folder.

How to view macOS crash reports:

1. Open Finder, go to应用程序/实用工具, and open the console application.
2. Select Crash Report from the sidebar.
3. If there is a crash report, click to view the report text.

The first part of the report identifies the process that caused the crash (for example, "panic action at probe"). The second part provides the exact date and time of the crash and the operating system version. The next section contains exception details, two types of them are important:

• EXC_BAD_ACCESS/KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS, caused by accessing unmapped memory
• EXC_BAD_ACCESS/KERN_PROTECTION_FAILURE, caused by writing to read-only memory

The next section provides backtracking information, from which you can find out which thread crashes and the events that caused the crash. These reports may provide clues to the cause of the system crash.

3. View the kernel crash log

In addition to checking for crash reports, you can also view past logs to find and resolve system crashes. To do this, you need to open Finder and follow the following steps:

1. Navigate to the top toolbar and select Go to/Go to Folder.
2. Enter /Library/Logs/Diagnostics/Reports in the search bar and select the first option.
3. In the next window, you can see all the diagnostic reports that your Mac has run in the past. If you see a file that starts with "Kernel" and ends with ".panic", double-click to open the console to view the problem.

4. Update the software

Updating macOS software is an effective way to solve many MacBook problems. Apple regularly releases updates to fix performance errors.

Steps to update macOS software:

1. Navigate to the Apple logo in the top toolbar and select System Settings (System Preferences in previous versions of macOS Ventura).
2. Click "General/Software Update".
3. If there is a software update, select Update now.
4. Agree to Apple's license agreement. Wait for software updates; the Mac may boot and shut down multiple times.

5. Disable the startup item

Disabling startup items (for example, applications that do not need to be opened immediately) can prevent important tasks from clashing with each other, thus resolving recurring system crashes.

How to disable startup items on your Mac:

1. Go to "Apple Logo/System Settings/General/Login Items".
2. Under "Open at login", select any programs you do not want to start when logging in.
3. Scroll down to "Allow in the background". Close any programs you do not want to run without your permission.

6. Check disk space

Insufficient system disk space can lead to stability issues, including system crashes. How to check Mac disk space:

1. Navigate to "Apple Logo/About Native" and select "More Information".
2. Scroll down to Storage Space to view the remaining storage space. If you want to clear some space, select "Storage Space Settings" and delete unwanted programs.

7. Check peripheral equipment

A damaged peripheral device (such as a USB drive) can sometimes cause the system to crash. Check peripherals and turn off any devices that may interfere with your Mac's vital system.

1. Open Finder and select "Finder/Preferences".
2. Make sure the General tab is selected. Then, uncheck the check box for any peripherals you think are causing the problem.
3. Test whether the Mac is working properly. Then, try to re-open these peripherals.

8. Run Apple Diagnostics

Apple Diagnostics (formerly known as Apple Hardware Testing) is a tool built into macOS to test hardware problems. This may be the cause of the crash of the Mac system. Before running, disconnect all devices except the mouse, keyboard, monitor, power supply, and Ethernet cable (if used).

How to run Apple Diagnostics (Intel Mac):

1. Turn off the Mac.
2. Turn on and hold down the D key immediately.
3. Release the D key when you see the progress bar or are asked to select the language.

How to run Apple Diagnostics (Apple Silicon Mac):

1. Press and hold the power button on your Mac.
2. Release the power button when you see the startup option.
3. Press Cmd D on the keyboard.

Apple Diagnostics will check the Mac's hardware. Once done, you will get a report containing the reference code.

9. Remove third-party kernel extensions

macOS uses a file named kext (the abbreviation of kernel extensions) to add functionality to the operating system. These files are stored in Library/Extensions folder. Third-party extensions are also installed here. Be careful when deleting kext files to avoid deleting macOS-dependent files. It is best to check for installed third-party extensions.

Check third-party macOS extensions using terminal:

1. Open the terminal from应用程序/实用工具folder.
2. Enter kextstat | grep -v com.apple and press Enter. If any third-party extensions are installed, they will be listed here.

10. Run Disk Utility in Disk Utility

Fixing errors on Mac system disks may help resolve system crashes. You can use the Disk Utility feature of Disk Utility to do this.

How to run Disk Utility on Mac:

1. Open Disk Utility from应用程序/实用工具.
2. Select your system disk from the sidebar.
3. Click "Disk Utility/Run".
4. Click "Continue".
5. Wait for Disk Utility to complete.

11. Reinstall macOS

Factory reset and reinstalling macOS should be the last option, but it may be necessary if the system crash still occurs. The problem at this point may be hardware-related, including third-party peripherals. To reset your Mac, you need to enter recovery mode.

Method to enter recovery mode (Intel Mac):

1. Turn off the Mac.
2. Restart and hold Cmd R immediately.
3. Release the button when you see the Apple logo.

Method to enter recovery mode (M1 Mac):

1. Turn off the Mac.
2. Press and hold the power button until you see the load boot option.
3. Select "Options" to enter recovery mode.

If the Mac fails to boot, restoring the Mac from recovery mode can solve the problem.

12. Contact Professional Support

Before discarding an old MacBook and purchasing a new one, try contacting a professional support staff to see if there is a chance to rescue your computer.

How to prevent Mac system crashes

After resolving a system crash, it is crucial to prevent recurrence.

You can prevent Mac system crashes by:

1. Clean disk space
2. Clean up the cache
3. Fix RAM issues
4. Use reliable antivirus software
5. Install the program from a verified resource

1. Clean disk space

Freeing up disk space on your Mac can help processes run more efficiently and minimize the risk of future system crashes.

2. Clean the cache

Caches accumulate over time and can cause performance issues. You can safely clear caches for all browsers.

3. Fix RAM issues

Macs use RAM in many ways, such as when playing games and using design software. There are a number of ways you can free up RAM and resolve possible problems, such as scanning for malware and exiting unnecessary major processes.

4. Use reliable antivirus software

Malware can cause various computer problems, including system crashes. Using reliable antivirus software can prevent such problems.

5. Install the program from a verified resource

If you only use applications and programs from verified resources, such as the App Store or company website, you are unlikely to experience system crash issues frequently. Sticking to reputable sources can also prevent other issues such as malware, and you can also get the latest software updates at release.

Summarize

Mac system crashes are one of the worst problems Mac users can encounter, and it is crucial to fix them as soon as possible. You can diagnose problems through console and Apple Diagnostics. Once you have identified the issue that needs to be fixed, try disabling the boot item and checking the peripherals. If none of the steps in this list work, perform a factory reset and reinstall macOS.

Frequently Asked Questions about System Crash

1. Should I worry about the system crash?

System crashes are a serious problem and may cause you to be unable to use your Mac. So if you see or diagnose this issue, you should fix it as soon as possible.

2. How to find system crashes on Mac?

Go to Finder and enter /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports . You can then see any system crash files that are happening on your Mac.

3. How to read the system crash log?

The system crash log contains the rough time the event occurred. This information allows you to determine whether you need to delete the application or perform other actions.

4. How to stop system crashing on Mac?

Stop system crashes on your Mac by fixing RAM issues, clearing caches, freeing up disk space, and installing from a verified resource such as the App Store.

5. Will reinstalling macOS repair system crash?

Reinstalling macOS can fix system crashes and any other issues you may have on your Mac. But considering that it deletes a lot of other data, it should be the last option.

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