Kernel Panic every time I close computer

It might be a hardware issue, but consider the possibility that something installed on the Mac is conflicting with the latest version of the MacOS that is being upgraded to, but worked ok with earlier versions. There are ways to test this, including booting into Safe Mode. A drastic step, maybe not for everyone, but a step I have successfully taken in a case similar to yours, is to make two backups that you have checked are sound. Then erase and reinstall the MacOS, create one generic administrator user (call it "admin") and upgrade to the desired version of the MacOS, but install nothing. You now have a generic, vanilla Mac, much like a brand new unit from the factory. If the problem is present, it is likely to be broken or faulty hardware. If the problem is gone, then migrate users and account and files, but nothing else (no software, no settings), retest for proper behavior, then reinstall software bit by bit, testing after each install to ensure the problem has not returned.

Thanks, that's what I'd originally assumed, and makes more sense to me. (I was just a bit confused by previous comments that seemed to imply that it was more likely to be a hardware issue, even if the device was stable on other OS versions.)

Thanks, that's what I'd originally assumed, and makes more sense to me. (I was just a bit confused by previous comments that seemed to imply that it was more likely to be a hardware issue, even if the device was stable on other OS versions.)

Stable on older, but not newer doesn't exclude hardware. Stable on old and newer would imply some software issue either with the bad version or conflict with some third-party software.

Sometimes, the only way to isolate the issue is as steve626 noted. Completely erase and install. Run it with absolutely nothing else installed.

The instructions you linked to are nearly useless generic instructions for dealing with a kernel panic. Given the number of reports of this problem and its coincidence with upgrades to 11.6.4, it's highly unlikely it is caused by a hardware failure (a hardware-software incompatibility is a different issue), and highly likely the root cause is software related. I would advise people not to waste their time following the steps you linked to and seek other alternatives.

Safe mode disables most non-Apple things but if the system is damaged enough, sometimes even safe mode has problems. Before sending it in for repairs, I would do those backups (you'll need those anyway if you send your Mac in) and try the clean reinstall from scratch that I described earlier. It once resolved an odd problem I had on an older MacBook Air some years ago. In fact that clean install will tell you immediately if the panic upon sleep is due to hardware or something else. If it occurs even with a plain vanilla configuration, it is hardware.

Same problem here. Started after latest security update for Catalina. Still there after upgrade to Big Sur 11.6.4 (I’m not ready to upgrade to Monterey yet for various reasons). Only happens when Apple Music is started, but in that case it happens every time I put the computer to sleep. I created a new user as a test, but it has the same problem. I also tried to start in safe mode, which made some difference: I still cannot wake the computer by pressing any key, but I can by pressing the start key (upper right key on the keyboard), so apparently the computer hasn’t crashed, but it’s a bit pointless using Apple Music in safe mode, as the internal speakers are not available.

It seems to be the way things go nowadays; the easiest way to fix a bug in last year's MacOS, is to upgrade to this years MacOS; for me, upgrading from Big Sur 11.6.4 to 12.2.1 Monterey solved it. But don't follow the advice Apple Support gave me to install all App updates in safe mode if you have Xcode on 11.6.x; it will crash your Mac in a different way than the kernel panic when sleeping.

It's sad, but you have to download about 32GB and wait about 8 hours in total to stop making your Mac crash when it sleeps. But now I can airplay from my phone to my Mac. I still have to think of a reason why that is useful, but I can :-)

And it can even sleep 😴

I tried to update to Monteray but in one night of standby the mac was completely dead. So I went back to Big Sur. I am hoping for a new update that solves these problems that I did not have before 11.6.3. I think I'll be using Spotify instead of Apple Music.

It would definitely be a good idea for Apple to release 11.6.5 to fix this issue, as it isn't exactly a minor inconvenience when your MacBook crashes every time it goes to sleep. They might also manage to do this with an update that isn't 32GB and doesn't take many hours to install. Fingers crossed.

Apple created this issue with 11.6.4 that did not exist until then. I would say that makes it their responsibility to fix it in a more efficient way then to upgrade to a new operating system. Image what would happen if Microsoft had that attitude….

Completely agree. What's also strange is that when I went to the Genius Bar for help, they were unaware of the problem. Does anyone at Apple even read these discussions? Apple created this mess. So why aren't they fixing it? Now. It sounds like upgrading to Monterey isn't easy either. These constant crashes are becoming a major problem for me at work.

Unfortunately quitting Apple Music seems to only work for me if the laptop is connected to power when closing the lid. If it unplug the power it still crashes. This is on a Macbook Pro 13 2020 with 4 thunderbolt 3 ports.

Now crashes in Mac OS Big Sur 11.6.4 without any applications started when the computer is put to sleep, not only as I reported earlier when Apple Music is started. Could it be related to the type of Mac? This is a Macbook Air from 2020. My older Macbook works fine with the same system.

Did it happen before it like since 12/29/2021 with v11.6.2? My client's 13" Intel 2020 MBP did that when waking up from its sleep (doesn't need to close its lid). It either froze, rebooted, etc.). In macOS v11.6.4, it just doesn't wake up and requires to hold down the power button. :( I had to disable its system sleep to avoid this! I hope v11.6.5 fixes it.