Symptoms
- Screen goes gray/dark with a message saying the computer restarted because of a problem
- Mac restarts suddenly without warning
- Panics happen more often under heavy use or with a specific accessory connected
- A notification appears afterward reporting the restart
Likely causes
- CommonA third-party kernel extension or driver conflicting with macOSOlder or poorly maintained drivers are a frequent cause of kernel panics.
- CommonA problematic external device or peripheralFaulty USB devices, docks, or external drives can trigger a panic.
- PossibleFaulty or incompatible RAM (on Macs with user-upgradeable memory)Bad memory can cause instability serious enough to crash the kernel.
- PossibleA macOS bug triggered by a specific app or updateSome panics are software bugs that get fixed in later updates.
- Less commonFailing storage or logic board hardwareThis is less common but should be considered if panics are frequent and unexplained.
What to do
- Note what you were doing and what was connected right before the panic, since this often points to the cause.
- Disconnect all non-essential external devices (drives, docks, hubs) and see if panics stop.
- Check for macOS updates in System Settings > General > Software Update and install any available.
- Update or remove any recently installed third-party software that adds system-level extensions (some security, virtualization, or driver-related apps do this).
- If you added RAM yourself, reseat it or test with the original RAM to rule out a bad module.
- Check Console (Applications > Utilities) for the panic log to see which process or driver is referenced.
- Run Apple Diagnostics (restart while holding D on Intel Macs, or via the recovery options on Apple silicon) to test for hardware faults.
- If panics continue after removing recent software/hardware additions, back up your data and consider a clean macOS reinstall.
Tools and parts
- None required
When to call a pro
If Apple Diagnostics reports a hardware fault, or panics continue after software troubleshooting, an Apple Store or authorized repair shop can perform deeper hardware testing.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.