2017 27” 5K iMac kernel panic problem

[slawenda]

Hi everyone, I have a base model 2017 27” 5K iMac, with an SSD and 40 GB of RAM (most of which I added). I’m having an issue lately where every day or two, for the last two or three weeks, while my iMac is sleeping, it has a kernel panic and restarts itself, taking me back to the startup login screen. When I log in, I receive the same error message: “the computer restarted because of a problem.” I’ve tried resetting the PRAM, the SMC, and I’ve tried reinstalling MacOS. I ran the Mac hardware diagnostic test and it didn’t show any problems. Nothing seems to have helped. I’ve also tried to boot into safe mode, however when I do that, my login screen flashes in and out to a black screen, preventing me from logging in. I’ve done some research online and it seems I could have a failing GPU? I’m thinking of calling it quits and getting a new Mac Mini, although I love my iMac and it still otherwise serves me very well. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Should I try a clean reinstall? I’m on Mac OS Ventura. Thanks in advance!

 

[Fishrrman]

What's connected to it?
Kernel panics are usually something related to hardware (could be an external device).

I'd also suspect the 3rd-party RAM.
TAKE OUT the 3rd party RAM and replace it with the factory RAM.
Go like that for 2-3 days.
Do the crashes disappear?

 

[Terraaustralis]

Hi everyone, I have a base model 2017 27” 5K iMac, with an SSD and 40 GB of RAM (most of which I added). I’m having an issue lately where every day or two, for the last two or three weeks, while my iMac is sleeping, it has a kernel panic and restarts itself, taking me back to the startup login screen. When I log in, I receive the same error message: “the computer restarted because of a problem.” I’ve tried resetting the PRAM, the SMC, and I’ve tried reinstalling MacOS. I ran the Mac hardware diagnostic test and it didn’t show any problems. Nothing seems to have helped. I’ve also tried to boot into safe mode, however when I do that, my login screen flashes in and out to a black screen, preventing me from logging in. I’ve done some research online and it seems I could have a failing GPU? I’m thinking of calling it quits and getting a new Mac Mini, although I love my iMac and it still otherwise serves me very well. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Should I try a clean reinstall? I’m on Mac OS Ventura. Thanks in advance!

KP are difficult to isolate. A corrupted interface between hardware/software is often the cause. To offer more precise advice we need to know your computer specs and priciple non Apple software apps. Run EntreCheck and post results so we can help. Meanwhile a few points:

• You upgraded your RAM. Faulty memory creates KP. Pull all memory out except original Apple memory. If iMac runs smoothly, add memory modules one at a time. Re-fitting may be the fix. Alternatively if KP appears, the last module loaded is suspect. Download Software tool Memtest86 or similar to check memory. Apple states modules should all be the same specs and manufacture. (Mine are mixed).

• If you have virus protection software, toss it out, it is not needed as Apple OSX has inbuilt virus protection software.

• In my experience, a total trash and rebuild of drives and OSX through Recovery has been successful. I had upgraded my iMac SSD and the KP culprit was the Sintech NVMe/PCIe adapter which I was using with a WD Black SN770. It worked for six months before KP occurred. I was unaware that Sintech was listed as incompatible with certain Samsung and WD Black SSD.

Are you running Fusion or have you upgraded the SSD? Your GPU is probably fine. Do not draw conclusions on the basis of Safe Mode login screen flashes. Run EntreCheck and post the file for us to read.