2019 iMac Repeating Black Screen Crashes then Restarting

My 2019 iMac (specs below) has been 'instant-black-screen-crashing-then-restarting' for a couple months now.


2019 - 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display

3.0GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz

24GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory

Radeon Pro 570X with 4GB of GDDR5 memory

1TB SSD storage


I have included an Etrecheck report link.


I do not utilize any anti-virus apps, play games, audio/video editing apps, or Adobe apps very often. I do have Backblaze, DaisyDisk, and a note-taking app called Tyke installed.


My trouble-shooting steps taken (apologies, it's been 2 months so this wasn't the exact order):


-Reset SMC and NVRAM

-Tried every configuration of RAM swap

-Selected "Prevent automatic sleeping when display is off"

-Selected "Never" for "Put Hard Disks to sleep when possible"

-Selected "Never" for "Wake for network access"

-Turned off screensaver

-Removed all peripherals one by one (no hubs/adapters are being used)

-Booted into Safe mode

-Setup and tested using a new user account

-Ran Apple Diagnostics

-Totally wiped drive and tested a clean OS reinstall

-Tried to run it from bootable external drive to no avail

-Drank heavily and wiped many tears (that seemed to help a bit)


Assume my iMac is coming to the end of its life. Thinking it's gotta be a failing hardware (GPU/Graphics) issue. AppleCare is long expired. So before turning it into an external monitor via controller board, I'm willing to try anything else since buying a new one is not an option at the moment.


Two months of struggles is getting quite frustrating so any help is appreciated.


Thank you so much for reading through this and for potentially being able to help me out.



Posted on Feb 22, 2026 1:10 PM

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Posted on Feb 24, 2026 6:37 PM

If you continue getting Kernel Panics, then please post several of the Kernel Panic log files here so we may get more information from them to see if the Kernel Panics are of the same type or different. Kernel Panic logs are located at "/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports" & sometimes in the "Retired" subfolder usually with "kernel" and/or "panic" in the file name. You would need to post them here using the "Additional Text" icon which looks like a piece of paper on the forum editing toolbar.


The EtreCheck only shows a single Kernel Panic at the time of the report which appears related to "FindMy" and may be a general protection fault which could be due to a memory issue, or bad software. Your EtreCheck report doesn't contain the usual culprits, so I would be leaning towards a hardware memory issue.


A memory issue could be caused by a lot of things.....bad or incompatible memory, CPU issue since the Intel CPU contains the memory controller, the Logic Board, or power issue. Generally third party memory will be the problem....either a bad memory module, or the memory is incompatible with the Apple OEM memory and/or the computer itself. Macs are very picky about they memory they use. In my own personal experience supporting my organization's Macs for decades.....the Apple OEM memory modules rarely fail.


Unfortunately it is very difficult to test the memory in the more recent Intel Macs. The Apple Diagnostics are unlikely to find memory errors (even the service diagnostics) since they only run very short & limited memory tests.


Unfortunately the bootable MemTest86 USB stick is of very limited use for a 2019 iMac, but it is about the only real option.....just do not modify any of the MemTest86's test settings or the test will most likely freeze up. You can use the downloaded MemTest86 .img file as a source for Etcher (Mac, Windows, Linux) to make a bootable MemTest86 USB stick. You will need to Option Boot the iMac by holding down the Option key immediately after hearing the startup chime. Select the orange icon with "EFI" to boot the MemTest86 USB stick.


If MemTest86 shows a memory error, then it likely indicates a memory is bad. If the test freezes up even with the default MemTest86 settings, then it may indicate bad memory. You can remove a memory stick & try MemTest86 again. Rinse & repeat. If you find the memory test runs fine after a previous failure, then the removed memory stick may be bad....or possibly just incompatible.


If the test provides an error or freezes up, then I would start by removing one of the third party memory modules. If it still fails/freezes, then remove the other third party module. Still a problem, then delete one of the Apple modules.


If one of the third party modules is causing the problem, then try that module all by itself to confirm if it still fails. If it works by itself, then try adding the other third party module. If it now fails, then it indicates a compatibility issue with the third party modules.


It is possible MemTest86 won't provide any answers, but it is your best option to identifying a memory problem assuming it is caused by one of the memory modules. The trick is to find a quickly repeatable method to show a problem so that you can test each memory module relatively easily. This is how I have been able to locate bad RAM on Macs for years (at least with older Intel Macs I could modify the MemTest86 settings to have more options....not an option for the 2019 iMac).


FYI, it is extremely rare for more than one memory module to fail at the same time.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 24, 2026 6:37 PM in response to jlinnier

If you continue getting Kernel Panics, then please post several of the Kernel Panic log files here so we may get more information from them to see if the Kernel Panics are of the same type or different. Kernel Panic logs are located at "/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports" & sometimes in the "Retired" subfolder usually with "kernel" and/or "panic" in the file name. You would need to post them here using the "Additional Text" icon which looks like a piece of paper on the forum editing toolbar.


The EtreCheck only shows a single Kernel Panic at the time of the report which appears related to "FindMy" and may be a general protection fault which could be due to a memory issue, or bad software. Your EtreCheck report doesn't contain the usual culprits, so I would be leaning towards a hardware memory issue.


A memory issue could be caused by a lot of things.....bad or incompatible memory, CPU issue since the Intel CPU contains the memory controller, the Logic Board, or power issue. Generally third party memory will be the problem....either a bad memory module, or the memory is incompatible with the Apple OEM memory and/or the computer itself. Macs are very picky about they memory they use. In my own personal experience supporting my organization's Macs for decades.....the Apple OEM memory modules rarely fail.


Unfortunately it is very difficult to test the memory in the more recent Intel Macs. The Apple Diagnostics are unlikely to find memory errors (even the service diagnostics) since they only run very short & limited memory tests.


Unfortunately the bootable MemTest86 USB stick is of very limited use for a 2019 iMac, but it is about the only real option.....just do not modify any of the MemTest86's test settings or the test will most likely freeze up. You can use the downloaded MemTest86 .img file as a source for Etcher (Mac, Windows, Linux) to make a bootable MemTest86 USB stick. You will need to Option Boot the iMac by holding down the Option key immediately after hearing the startup chime. Select the orange icon with "EFI" to boot the MemTest86 USB stick.


If MemTest86 shows a memory error, then it likely indicates a memory is bad. If the test freezes up even with the default MemTest86 settings, then it may indicate bad memory. You can remove a memory stick & try MemTest86 again. Rinse & repeat. If you find the memory test runs fine after a previous failure, then the removed memory stick may be bad....or possibly just incompatible.


If the test provides an error or freezes up, then I would start by removing one of the third party memory modules. If it still fails/freezes, then remove the other third party module. Still a problem, then delete one of the Apple modules.


If one of the third party modules is causing the problem, then try that module all by itself to confirm if it still fails. If it works by itself, then try adding the other third party module. If it now fails, then it indicates a compatibility issue with the third party modules.


It is possible MemTest86 won't provide any answers, but it is your best option to identifying a memory problem assuming it is caused by one of the memory modules. The trick is to find a quickly repeatable method to show a problem so that you can test each memory module relatively easily. This is how I have been able to locate bad RAM on Macs for years (at least with older Intel Macs I could modify the MemTest86 settings to have more options....not an option for the 2019 iMac).


FYI, it is extremely rare for more than one memory module to fail at the same time.

Feb 22, 2026 1:19 PM in response to jlinnier

Given the thorough troubleshooting already completed, this 2019 5K iMac's instant black screen restart loop is likely a failing Radeon Pro 570X GPU, or possibly the internal power supply.


Since you have already tried a clean OS reinstall and external drive boot, this points strongly to hardware failure, with GPU (LED 3 failure) being the most probable cause. 


Final Attempt Troubleshooting Options (Before Component Failure):


  • Disable "Automatic Graphics Switching": If this option is available in System Settings > Energy Saver, turn it off. Forcing the dedicated GPU to stay active might prevent power-state crashes.


  • Monitor System Temperatures: Install a tool like TG Pro or Macs Fan Control to see if a specific component (GPU diode) is overheating before the crash. If it is, manually setting fans to high might provide temporary relief.


  • Check Internal Diagnostics LEDs: If you are comfortable removing the screen, you can check the logic board diagnostic LEDs (LED 1-4) while it runs. If LED 3 (GPU/Video card) turns off right before the crash, the GPU is confirmed as failing.


  • Verify Power Supply (PSU) Stability: Similar 2019 models have experienced failing power supplies that cause instant shutdowns, not just the GPU.


  • Run TG Pro (Trial version): Monitor if it's actually the GPU or simply an ambient temperature issue causing a


If these fail, the GPU is likely suffering from soldered component fatigue (cold solder joints) or the GPU core itself is failing.


At that point, converting it to an external display via a converter board is the best way to utilize the 5K panel.


You can visit an independent Mac repair store near you, they should be able to fix it.

Feb 24, 2026 3:01 PM in response to pooya3d

Hi Jilinier,


If it seems like a big mystery. Then the best way to see what has failed on the hardware side is to go to your nearest IStore. I am not sure what your budget is. But I have the exact same IMac 27 inch 5K Retina screen with the Radeon Graphics 570X and the core i5 CPU at 3GHZ base. I bought it second hand but to make sure I was not buying a dud, I had the Istore (South Africa's name for the official Apple new and some used sales). They have a laptop which connects to your machine and does a thorough check on your whole computer. You can't buy this software anywhere that they use for the diagnostic. And it is 100% accurate. It cost me R650 ZAR for the test and my computer back then a year ago gave an all clear so I bought it. Better than throwing the IMac away, they may be able to give advice if the problem is minor.


If it is a failed GPU some can be replaced. Like in my 2010 IMac. I know a lot of items these days are soldered to the board.


Try the IStore or it's equivalent in your country.


Feb 24, 2026 5:06 PM in response to Blog_chat

Hmmmm, I've never heard of this service being available at Apple stores. I'll look into it. Thanks.


Hi Jilinier,


If it seems like a big mystery. Then the best way to see what has failed on the hardware side is to go to your nearest IStore. I am not sure what your budget is. But I have the exact same IMac 27 inch 5K Retina screen with the Radeon Graphics 570X and the core i5 CPU at 3GHZ base. I bought it second hand but to make sure I was not buying a dud, I had the Istore (South Africa's name for the official Apple new and some used sales). They have a laptop which connects to your machine and does a thorough check on your whole computer. You can't buy this software anywhere that they use for the diagnostic. And it is 100% accurate. It cost me R650 ZAR for the test and my computer back then a year ago gave an all clear so I bought it. Better than throwing the IMac away, they may be able to give advice if the problem is minor.


If it is a failed GPU some can be replaced. Like in my 2010 IMac. I know a lot of items these days are soldered to the board.


Try the IStore or it's equivalent in your country.

2019 iMac Repeating Black Screen Crashes then Restarting

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