Your MacBook keeps restarting by itself. The screen goes black, it starts up again and then the message "Your computer restarted because of a problem" appears. That is called a kernel panic: macOS gets so stuck it has to restart itself. If it happens once, there is little wrong. If it happens more often, there is a cause you need to find. This article explains how, from software and connected devices to hardware.
Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam, including restarts and kernel panics.
Step 1: when does it happen?
- Only with a certain app or task, such as video calls or a game?
- Only when something is connected, such as a dock, display or drive?
- At startup, or randomly?
- Only on battery, or on the charger?
The pattern says a lot about the cause. Note it for a few days.
Step 2: disconnect connected devices
Disconnect everything: docks, hubs, drives, displays, printers. Use the MacBook without them for a while. If it no longer restarts, reconnect the devices one by one. A faulty dock or broken cable is a common cause.
Step 3: software
- Install the latest macOS update. See updating your MacBook.
- Update or remove programs that run deep in the system, such as virus scanners, VPNs, screen recorders and peripheral drivers.
- Start up in safe mode. If it does not restart there, the cause is probably software. See safe mode.
Step 4: reading the crash report
After the restart you can click Report to see the report. Earlier reports are in the Console app, under Crash Reports. Look for the name of an app or device. If the same name keeps appearing, that is a clue. Also see Terminal and utilities.
Step 5: testing hardware
Run Apple Diagnostics to test the hardware. See Apple Diagnostics. Also watch for:
- Heat: does it restart when it gets hot? Then the cooling may be dirty. See cleaning the fan.
- Battery: does it restart on battery at a certain percentage? Then the battery may be worn.
- After a drop or liquid: then it is often the logic board.
Step 6: reinstall macOS
If nothing helps, reinstall macOS from Recovery mode. Your files stay. See reinstalling macOS. If it still restarts afterwards, even without extra apps, it is almost certainly hardware.
Known causes at a glance
- A faulty dock or hub, especially cheap USB-C hubs.
- Old drivers after a major macOS update.
- A worn battery that cannot deliver the voltage under peak load.
- Overheating from dust or a broken fan.
- A logic board problem, often after liquid.
- On older Intel MacBooks sometimes the graphics chip or memory.
Restarting yourself with the keyboard
- Control + Command + power button: restarts immediately.
- Control + Option + Command + power button: shuts down.
- Hold the power button for ten seconds: force shut down if the Mac does not respond.
See shutting down, restarting and sleep.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
We read the crash reports, test memory, storage, battery and cooling, and measure the logic board. You hear beforehand what is needed. More on our page about MacBook will not turn on or keeps restarting.
Frequently asked questions
Is one kernel panic bad?
No. Once can be a random glitch. If it happens more often, for example several times a week, it is time to look for the cause.
Do I lose files with a restart?
Unsaved work can be lost. Your saved files stay. Many apps keep an automatic copy.
My MacBook restarts in a loop and never reaches the desktop. What now?
Try safe mode or Recovery mode. If that fails, have it checked, and do not keep restarting it endlessly.
