Published 2023-05-02 by TechNet New England
A kernel panic is the Mac equivalent of a Windows Blue Screen. Your Mac restarts unexpectedly and shows a message: "Your computer restarted because of a problem." Most kernel panics are caused by incompatible software, peripheral devices, or insufficient disk space. Rarely, they indicate a hardware problem. ## If It Happens Once A single kernel panic is usually not a concern. Restart your Mac and continue using it normally. macOS is good at recovering from isolated incidents. If it happens repeatedly, follow the steps below. ## Fix 1: Update macOS and All Applications 1. Click **Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update**. 2. Install any available updates. 3. Open the **App Store** and click **Updates** to update all applications. Kernel panics are frequently caused by outdated software that is incompatible with the current macOS version. ## Fix 2: Check for Incompatible Software If the panic started after installing new software: 1. Uninstall the recently installed application. 2. Check the developer's website for a macOS-compatible version. 3. Pay special attention to kernel extensions (kexts). Some applications install low-level drivers that can cause kernel panics. Common culprits include VPN clients, virtualization software (Parallels, VMware), audio interfaces, and third-party security tools. ## Fix 3: Disconnect External Devices Peripherals can cause kernel panics, especially if their drivers are incompatible. 1. Disconnect all USB devices, external drives, docks, and adapters. 2. Use the Mac with only the built-in keyboard and trackpad for a day. 3. If the panic stops, reconnect devices one at a time to identify the culprit. ## Fix 4: Check Disk Space macOS needs free disk space for virtual memory and swap files. If your disk is nearly full, kernel panics can occur. 1. Click **Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage**. 2. If less than 10% is free, clear space immediately. ## Fix 5: Boot into Safe Mode Safe Mode loads only essential components and can help identify whether the issue is caused by third-party software. **Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4):** 1. Shut down the Mac completely. 2. Press and hold the power button until you see "Loading startup options." 3. Select your startup disk. 4. Hold **Shift** and click "Continue in Safe Mode." **Intel Macs:** 1. Restart the Mac. 2. Immediately hold **Shift** until you see the login screen. Use the Mac in Safe Mode for a while. If the kernel panic does not recur, the issue is likely a third-party extension or software that does not load in Safe Mode. Restart normally to exit Safe Mode. ## Fix 6: Reset NVRAM (Intel Macs Only) 1. Shut down the Mac. 2. Turn it on and immediately hold **Option + Command + P + R** for 20 seconds. 3. Release and let the Mac boot normally. Apple Silicon Macs reset NVRAM automatically during a normal restart. ## Fix 7: Run Apple Diagnostics 1. Shut down the Mac. 2. **Apple Silicon:** Press and hold the power button until you see startup options. Press and hold **Command + D**. 3. **Intel:** Turn on the Mac and immediately hold **D**. 4. Apple Diagnostics will test your hardware and report any issues. If hardware problems are found (especially memory or storage errors), the Mac may need professional repair. ## Reading the Panic Log For advanced troubleshooting, you can view the kernel panic log: 1. Open **Console** (Applications > Utilities > Console). 2. In the sidebar, look under **Crash Reports** or **Log Reports**. 3. Look for entries around the time of the panic. The log will contain technical details about what caused the crash. If you are reporting the issue to IT or Apple Support, include this log. ## When to Contact IT Contact your IT provider or Apple Support if: Kernel panics happen daily. Apple Diagnostics finds a hardware error. The panic occurs in Safe Mode (indicating a deeper system issue). You recently migrated to a new Mac and the issue started after migration.