What a kernel panic looks like
Black or grey screen with 'You need to restart your computer' message in multiple languages. Or Mac reboots itself unexpectedly. Or Mac shows reboot dialog after restart with 'Mac was restarted because of a problem.'
macOS records the panic. Click 'Report' to see the log — that's your starting point for diagnosis.
Software causes (80% of kernel panics)
Buggy kernel extensions (KEXT) — common with VPN clients, virtualisation software (Parallels, VMware), display drivers.
Corrupt macOS install — partial update, interrupted install, file system damage.
Incompatible drivers after macOS major version upgrade.
Out-of-date apps (especially professional tools like Adobe, Logic Pro).
Hardware causes (20% of kernel panics)
RAM failure (Intel Macs with replaceable RAM).
SSD failure (random kernel panics with file-system errors).
GPU failure (kernel panic during graphics-intensive work — Radeon Pro Macs).
Logic board issues (component-level failures, capacitor wear).
Thermal damage (overheating triggers protective panic).
Step-by-step diagnostic (software first)
Step 1: Note the panic log. Apple menu → System Settings → Reports — find recent kernel panic. Look for 'panicked task' or 'bundle ID' — identifies the culprit KEXT.
Step 2: Update macOS. Most kernel panics are fixed in subsequent updates. System Settings → General → Software Update.
Step 3: Boot in Safe Mode. Apple Silicon: hold power button until 'Loading startup options' appears → select disk → hold Shift → click 'Continue in Safe Mode.' Intel: hold Shift during boot. If panics stop in Safe Mode = software issue, identify which third-party software.
Step 4: Uninstall recent third-party apps. Particularly: VPN clients, virtualisation software, system optimisers.
Step 5: Reset SMC + NVRAM (Intel only). Apple Silicon: just shutdown + restart.
When it's hardware — Apple Diagnostics
Apple Silicon: shutdown → hold power button until Options appears → Command-D → run diagnostics.
Intel: shutdown → press power → immediately hold D until diagnostics start.
Look for error codes starting with: PFM, PPF (power); NDC, NDD (storage); VFD, VDC, VDH (display); VRN, VRC (RAM).
Bring the diagnostic report to AppleForce — it tells us exactly what to check.
AppleForce kernel-panic diagnostic process
Free diagnosis. We capture full panic log, run Apple Diagnostics, run stress tests. Most cases resolved as software (PKR 4k–8k for cleanup + reinstall).
Hardware cases: identify exact component (RAM/SSD/GPU/logic board). Quote includes part + labour. Typical hardware kernel-panic fix: PKR 25k–80k depending on component.