Why is my Mac (late 2017) experiencing so many kernel panics with Big Sur?

Getting too many kernel panics and hardware "restarts because of a problem". Latest panic noted that the memory on my computer was corrupted. I've tried to update the ram but at the same time tried to clean the computer of old left over software. I've updated all the software I use but there are still issues. I can not update to Monterey because the software I use is not compatible with this OS yet. The problem started after I upgrade to Big Sur. Now with the last up date to 11.6.2 the "your computer shut down because of a problem" has started and happens at least 2 x a day. Attached is my latest Etre Check - I hope some one can help with some next steps? Thanks!


iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Jan 13, 2022 5:48 AM

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Posted on Jan 14, 2022 7:31 PM

You can create and use a bootable MemTest86 USB stick to test the RAM. If you use the older version 7.5 of Memtest86, then you can configure MemTest86 to run more than four test loops, however, testing that much memory will take a long time even for just a single loop. Sometimes you must allow the memory test to run for days before a failure may show up. You can use the downloaded Memtest86 .iso or .img file as a source for Etcher to make a bootable MemTest 86 USB stick.


Option Boot the MemTest86 USB stick and select the orange icon labeled "EFI". Once MemTest86 begins to run you can safely remove the MemTest86 USB stick if you want.


Like @etresoft mentions, then only useful diagnostic is one which actually reports a problem. Personally I would disable the "Hammer" test which I believe is test# 13 since that test can fail even with known good memory (it is testing for a vulnerability with the memory where you "hammer" the memory very quickly a nefarious app could possibly gain control of a computer). Since this specific test may fail even with otherwise good memory, I would disable it to focus on the other tests so maybe you can get more test loops in.


While the Kernel Panics seem to indicate a memory issue, the problem could be due to something else such as bad power supply or bad Logic Board. OWC memory should work fine in a Mac.


Maybe remove all the memory and install just the new OWC memory into the slots occupied by the original Apple memory. Sometimes third party memory just does not like working with other brands of memory (or sometimes even the same brand of memory made from a different time/location -- yes, some systems are that particular with memory).

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 14, 2022 7:31 PM in response to corinna228

You can create and use a bootable MemTest86 USB stick to test the RAM. If you use the older version 7.5 of Memtest86, then you can configure MemTest86 to run more than four test loops, however, testing that much memory will take a long time even for just a single loop. Sometimes you must allow the memory test to run for days before a failure may show up. You can use the downloaded Memtest86 .iso or .img file as a source for Etcher to make a bootable MemTest 86 USB stick.


Option Boot the MemTest86 USB stick and select the orange icon labeled "EFI". Once MemTest86 begins to run you can safely remove the MemTest86 USB stick if you want.


Like @etresoft mentions, then only useful diagnostic is one which actually reports a problem. Personally I would disable the "Hammer" test which I believe is test# 13 since that test can fail even with known good memory (it is testing for a vulnerability with the memory where you "hammer" the memory very quickly a nefarious app could possibly gain control of a computer). Since this specific test may fail even with otherwise good memory, I would disable it to focus on the other tests so maybe you can get more test loops in.


While the Kernel Panics seem to indicate a memory issue, the problem could be due to something else such as bad power supply or bad Logic Board. OWC memory should work fine in a Mac.


Maybe remove all the memory and install just the new OWC memory into the slots occupied by the original Apple memory. Sometimes third party memory just does not like working with other brands of memory (or sometimes even the same brand of memory made from a different time/location -- yes, some systems are that particular with memory).

Jan 14, 2022 4:12 PM in response to corinna228

Diagnostic tests aren't definitive unless they clearly report a failure. There is clearly a dispute about the state of your computer. The hardware diagnostics say there is no problem, but your kernel panics since November are challenging that statement. I tend to believe the kernel panics.


I suggest removing all of the 3rd party RAM and put the Apple RAM back in. If that corrects the problem, then try to find a different source for RAM.

Jan 14, 2022 8:47 PM in response to corinna228

apporiate ram 9as per apples specs.

Did you attempt to match the specs, or did you use the OWC memory configurator? If the former, you probably didn't actually match the specs. If the latter, contact OWC for replacement. You are having RAM-related panics.

You could have a logic board problem that might generate those types of panics, but since you replaced the RAM, that would be more likely.

Jan 15, 2022 5:42 AM in response to corinna228

I looked up what memory was need on the apple page link for an iMac 2017 (https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201191) then searched for the memory

I looked up what memory was need on the apple page link for an iMac 2017 (https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201191) then searched for the memory…

That’s what normally fails. However, you went on to confirm that it was designed for your specific Mac. You should start with picking the Mac you own, then select from the memory they offer that matches. You essentially got there in the opposite direction.


It sounds like the RAM is either bad, or doesn’t work well with your other RAM.

Jan 14, 2022 10:58 PM in response to Barney-15E

Thank you for your reply HW Tech and Barney-1SE0. First,I will try to move the new memory to slots #1 and # 3...and see what happens. As far as purchasing the correct memory this is what I did:


I looked up what memory was need on the apple page link for an iMac 2017 (https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201191) then searched for the memory via @macsales.com bought and installed this memory: 32.0GB (2x 16GB) PC4-19200 DDR4 2400MHz SO-DIMM 260 Pin CL17 Memory Upgrade Kit for Mid 2017 iMac 27" w/ Retina 5K models and PCs which utilize PC4-19200 SO-DIMM. OWC Lifetime Advance Replacement Limited Warranty. (OWC2400DDR4S32P). As far as I know I did not use a memory "configurator"? Have I purchased the wrong type because it was a "kit"? This was the same memory I purchased with the first 2x 16G that I bought in 2018. When I bought the new memory I removed the 2x4G apple memory and replaced it with the newly purchased OWC (1x 16G in slot #1 and 1x16 in slot #3) I left the first OWC 2 x 16G in slots #2 and #4 where they have been since 2018... and then I upgraded the OS...Later once I started have panics ... I replaced the Mac memory but kept the new memory in slots #2 and #4. Now the panics are more frequent. So, if the new memory will not work on its own I will try to put the old 16G back (the way it was before the upgrade) and see what happens...


Jan 14, 2022 3:18 PM in response to etresoft

Thank you for the suggestion to run Apple Hardware Diagnostics. The test found no issues and gave me this reference code ADP000. Unfortunately, the problem still continues. My Mac shuts down because of a problem at least twice a day. Below are the panic reports that I've been receiving since OS Big Sur 11.6.2 update. I hope some one can help - I'm running 3d modelling software for my work and crashing and loosing work is not a good thing under deadlines!







Jan 14, 2022 4:24 PM in response to etresoft

Well - I did that. My old RAM configuration was put back in - I put it in before I posted the question. I thought that the problem was this new memory because since this plus updating to Big Sur are the only changes I've made in months and months (accept for software updates of course). The first time I put the original memory back and turned my computer on it didn't't find the RAM so I switched out the 2 x 16 G (2017) with new 16 G plus the original 2x 4G apple memory... but the problem is getting worse. I will try to put the original back in and see what happens? (I bought both my 16 G sets from OWC...) If still no luck then what buy more Ram and hope that things work?


Jan 14, 2022 4:32 PM in response to corinna228

Here is my Etrecheck report prior to updating to Big Sur and Prior to changing my RAM. Apple support suggested that I update to Big Sur and add my RAM upgrade before make the change. I was having problems before and I thought the upgrade and adding more RAM would help stop my software from crashing. Maybe there is something that sticks out in this comparison?


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Why is my Mac (late 2017) experiencing so many kernel panics with Big Sur?

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