Kernel panic again and again

I've got a 2020 Macbook Air M1 13 inch that keeps getting kernel panics and I can't boil down t

the cause.



Here are my questions/comments

  • Why are there so many kexts loaded? That doesn't look normal or healthy
  • It says the last loaded kext was com.apple.filesystems.afpfs - is my ssd about to die?
  • The stack trace ends at com.apple.driver.AppleEffaceableStorage - again: is my ssd about to die??


The only thing that's physically connected to the Macbook is an external 27 inch monitor via USB-C.


The only "exotic" extension I installed that comes to my mind is EqMac but it doesn't show anywhere in the crash report.

MacBook Air

Posted on Jan 15, 2023 05:22 AM

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13 replies

Jan 17, 2023 12:29 PM in response to mefiX

mefiX wrote:

They recommended to remove/erase all data and, if that doesn't help, to reinstall the OS.
I did both of the above and I still get kernel panics.

Did you test the laptop thoroughly before installing any third party software or restoring from a backup? If not, then you may have brought the problem back. I think in your case you will need to actually "Restore" the firmware instead as that may also address any issues with the security enclave. However, this process does require access to another Mac running macOS 10.15+:

Revive or restore a Mac with Apple silicon using Apple Configurator - Apple Support


I can eliminate the external monitor for sure, because I only get kernel panics whenever the charger is plugged in. ..... But as soon as I plugin in the external charger via USB-C it takes about 5 minutes (randomly of course) and the kernel panics.

Is this the Apple OEM charger? Have you tried another USB-C port on the laptop (don't recall if the Air has one or two ports)? Have you tried using another USB-C charging cable?


Try rotating the USB-C connector on the charging cable 180 degrees upside down in case the USB-C port is half bad.


Did Apple also test your charger and charging cable? You may want to go back and have them test it along with the laptop again. Hopefully it is reproducible in front of a tech.


Unplug the charger from the electrical outlet for a minute to reset the charger's internal circuitry to see if this helps. Also try using the charger on another electrical outlet on another electrical circuit (one on a different circuit breaker or fuse) and connecting to the wall instead of any power strips....testing at another physical location may be even better. There is a chance you may have some sort of electrical issue with the home wiring.


Jan 15, 2023 06:23 AM in response to mefiX

Rember from Kelly Computing is an app that uses memtest to check RAM, but why does it matter?


You have a hardware problem that probably can only be determined by the tests available only to Apple and service centers. If it is RAM, the RAM is soldered to the logic board.


You could erase all contents and settings, then reinstall macOS. If it panics with nothing installed or connected, then it is definitely hardware. It is certainly worthwhile to run without the external display to rule that out.

Jan 15, 2023 07:19 AM in response to Barney-15E

If the monitor is not connected, I haven't had any kernel panics so far.

So this could either mean USB-C, GPU or VRAM problem.

Does the GPU dynamically allocate more (shared) memory, if an external display is connected? I'm presuming yes. Which would also indicate it's a memory issue.


I've got a genius bar appointment tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Jan 15, 2023 10:22 AM in response to Barney-15E

I can rule out the cable, I tried three different ones (all of which I trust, one of which was brand new) and I had a panic with either of them.


I can at least reduce the likelihood that it's the monitor. Because I've tried connecting it via USB-C directly (i.e. Macbook USB-C out to USB-C input of monitor). But I also tried connecting it via HDMI with a powered USB-C in between. I had panics in both situations. Plus, I've got another notebook (windows) connected to the monitor.

Jan 16, 2023 05:43 AM in response to Barney-15E

I just came back from the Apple Store.

Their diagnostic tool reported everything "green" and operational, which is good and bad news.

Good, because everything seems ok; bad, because the kernel panics persist.


They recommended to remove/erase all data and, if that doesn't help, to reinstall the OS.

I did both of the above and I still get kernel panics.


However, here's something new:

I can eliminate the external monitor for sure, because I only get kernel panics whenever the charger is plugged in. I started using the macbook without anything connected to it. When I'm on battery, I can work for hours and hours with lots of apps open, stuff happening in ram, compiling in the background, no problems. But as soon as I plugin in the external charger via USB-C it takes about 5 minutes (randomly of course) and the kernel panics.

Jan 23, 2023 05:53 PM in response to mefiX

Between January 15 and January 18, I experienced a series of CATERR-related kernel panics on my 2019 MacBook Air. These panics began to be limited to diagnostic mode and safe mode after I reinstalled the OS on January 20. These panics may indicate a hardware issue with the T2 chip that was encountered in 13.1 and I have since updated the OS to 13.2. I hope that this will resolve the problem.

Jan 23, 2023 11:59 PM in response to mefiX

Meanwhile, I traded in the device for one of the new (2023) Mac minis.


I had another appointment at the genius bar in my city and the guys there tried to reinstall completely. Meaning F/W and OS. You need a second Mac for that. The process failed twice. So I basically gave up on the device.


Additionally, to my surprise, Apple announced the new Mac minis the day before. I wanted to buy one anyway. So I took that as a sign the universe is giving me and traded in the macbook for the Mac mini.


How can I “close” this issue?

Jan 16, 2023 04:14 PM in response to mefiX

Just confirm the Windows computer isn't plugged in at the same time?


It didn't have this problem, but another post had a problem with a monitor connected to USB-C. That person found if they turned off USB over the monitor's USB-C port, there wasn't a problem. The only way I make the connection is power might be sent over USB when the power is attached, but not on battery. That person could turn off USB data in the monitor's menu. The kexts in the backtrace have nothing to do with power or USB, so not particularly hopeful.


Sometimes you can fix power issues with an SMC reset. However, that is accomplished on an M1 Mac merely by restarting with power connected. I can't imagine that has not been done.

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Kernel panic again and again

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