GPU Kernel Panic

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Level 1

4 points

GPU Kernel Panic

Hello! I have an Early 2013 mac that will get a black screen and go unresponsive usually when opening more graphics-heavy apps like games or digital content creation software (adobe etc).

Once my computer black screens I have to force-shut it down and try and re-turn it on in which 3 things could happen:

I turn it on an the computer fans start up but it does not display anything on the screen (no backlight, keyboard light, apple logo, etc) So I usually have to force turn it off again, let it sit for a while and re-try again later.

It lets me log in, then the loading bar under the apple logo starts up and eventually crashes back to black screen before getting through load screen/to the desktop

It lets me log in, I boot up after the apple logo flickers a bit and loads the desktop/starts up as normal. I can go days/weeks with the computer on and functioning before it black screens again due to random triggers.

When I try to boot into safe or recovery mode, the loading bar starts but then black screens before it can boot....

I also tried holding the R key when booting up but it threw me the Cannot Load EFI/Drivers/TestSupport.efi error.

I tried getting apple to look at it, they simply opened it, saw that sometime in the last 7 years it had "some unknown level of water damage at some unknown time" and told me it must me that, refused to look at it further, sent me home. I still get tons of use out of this computer I just want it to stop black screening.... can I get some real assistance with this computer? It still works great when its on it simply has this black screen issue.

Would appreciate any good ideas here, . I do 100% understand it's on the way out at almost 10 years old now. My goal is to keep whatever functionality until I can afford a new one... thanks.


panic(cpu 4 caller 0xffffff7fab78155f): GPU Panic: mux-regs 3 0 a0 d9 9 8 severity 3 WS-ready 0 switch-state 13 IG FBs 0 EG FBs 0:0 power-state 0 3D idle HDA idle system-state 0 power-level 20:20 power-retry 0 connect-change 0 : NVRM[0/1:0:0]: Read Error 0x00000100: CFG 0xffffffff 0xffffffff 0xffffffff, BAR0 0xc0000000 0xffffff914fe0b000 0x0e7150a2, D0, P3/4

Full error:

Panic Error Text

Posted on Aug 27, 2022 12:24 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Community+ 2026

Level 9

72,496 points

Aug 27, 2022 7:42 PM in response to shaneoshea

You have the 15" model which is known to have GPU failures. It is either a known GPU failure or the liquid damage has finally become noticeable. Since you cannot boot into Safe Mode you cannot install the gfxCardStatus app to force the laptop to use the Intel GPU instead of the discrete GPU.

I have seen instructions for using a Linux boot disk to configure the NVRAM to utilize the Intel GPU instead of the discrete GPU when the laptop won't boot macOS, but I don't currently don't have a link. I did a quick search and found this forum posting (it is not the one I remember, but I believe it has similar instructions):

https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/283837

This article may be the one I remember:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/permanently-disable-2011-15-17-macbook-pro-dedicated-gpu-gmux-ic-bypass.2134019/page-7

Keep in mind your laptop appears to use an NVidia GPU so disregard the steps for moving/deleting any AMD driver files as the GPU affects multiple models from 2008 to 2013. Also, the latter article mentions using the "vi" command line text editor. I suggest replacing "vi" with "nano" which is another command line text editor that is much easier to use.

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/42980/the-beginners-guide-to-nano-the-linux-command-line-text-editor/

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Answer 2

allen_31

Level 2

347 points

Aug 28, 2022 10:04 PM in response to shaneoshea

The most likely cause for a Kernel Trap or Kernel Panic issue occurs in MacOS is faulty software, damaged or incompatible hardware, including external drives attached to the Mac. To fix the issue, try the below steps:

1. Restart your Mac in Safe Mode and check for updates.

2. Uninstall any plug-ins or 3rd party software from manufacturers other than Apple.

3. Disconnect all connected devices.

4. Use Apple diagnostics to diagnose the problem.

5. Do general troubleshooting

6. Reset PRAM/NVRAM settings

7. Reset SMC (System Management Controller) settings

8. Reset the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

Hope it helps!

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Answer 3

shaneoshea Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 28, 2022 10:06 AM in response to HWTech

Hi! Thanks for the reply! I'll have to dive into this.

One odd thing is when I hold down shift when booting up to get into safe boot I end up in recovery mode instead and it only asks me about password resetting, which I find super strange. Is recovery mode the same as safe boot? Am I crazy that I thought these were different but when I press the shift key it takes me here so idk haha. I'd like to try and install the gfxCardStatus app if I can weasel my way into safe mode.

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Answer 4

Aug 28, 2022 1:07 PM in response to shaneoshea

macOS will end up prompting you to reset your password when macOS has been unsuccessful at logging in (macOS thinks you forgot your password and never considers there may be another issue). Just click the "Exit" button at the bottom left to continue booting or just restart the Mac again which should give you a normal boot and present you with a login prompt.

Here is a newer version of the app too:

https://gfx.io/

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GPU Kernel Panic

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