MBP 2019 restarting frequently, kernel panic error suspected; running Catalina 10.15.7

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Level 1

4 points

MBP 2019 restarting frequently, kernel panic error suspected; running Catalina 10.15.7

In the past week my 2019 MacBook Pro has been abruptly restarting, frequently. Now happening several times a day. Screen freezes and then restarts. Error message shown below. I've also attached my EtreCheck report.

No clear triggers. I'm sometimes running heaving CPU software (Adobe, Citrix, Flojo) but that's nothing new. And it sometimes happens when the only open application is Safari.

Only recent change to my laptop was an installation of work-approved Symantec software 3 weeks ago bc I was concerned about spyware (none found).

Etrecheck report

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 14, 2022 10:11 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

155,480 points

Jan 15, 2022 4:10 PM in response to marl87

System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background.

Those system modifications include "Pulse Secure" and "Symantec". Others are present but I have not known Adobe, Citrix, or VMWare to cause kernel panics, and please confirm VMWare is the latest supported version.

"forescout" may also be a contributing factor. It appears to be an enterprise-level VPN. For an overview of correct VPN settings, please refer to VPN settings overview for Apple devices - Apple Support.

Regarding "BESAgent" this old Discussion may be applicable: How to uninstall BESAgent? Resumes after force-quitting. It may or may not be a contributing factor.

Consider the potential for conflicts among the large number of system modifications affecting that Mac.

More than one antivirus app - This computer has multiple antivirus apps installed.

Your Mac will never work properly with junk installed. Rule 1 of Macs is don't install junk.

Antivirus software: Apple, Symantec, and FireEye

That line should read exactly as shown:

Antivirus software: Apple

That's all.

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Answer 2

marl87 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 15, 2022 11:34 PM in response to John Galt

John, thank you for analyzing my Etrecheck readout.

I deleted Symantec this morning and have had no random restarts since. I think that was the problem. Funny that it ran fine w Symantec for 2 weeks before the panic error starting occurring.

All the other background applications you objected to (Forescout, FireEye, PulseSecure, BESAgent, VMWare Horizon Client, Citrix, etc) are required by my employer, a state university-associated health care system that has been hit by multiple large-scale data breaches. It wasn't my choice to install them...

Thank you again - your answer may help someone else sort through a similar situation.

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Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

155,480 points

Jan 16, 2022 11:34 AM in response to marl87

👍

Of all the usual suspects Symantec / Norton may be the most notorious.

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MBP 2019 restarting frequently, kernel panic error suspected; running Catalina 10.15.7

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