Your computer was restarted because of a problem (except it wasn't restarted, this message shows up after logging in)

There are numerous reports of Mac's crashing during full computer sleep mode which forces it to restart on its own after the crash. This also explains the "restarted because of a problem" message, when the user wakes the Mac and goes to log-in.

At this point you and/or the client, needs to adjust the Sleep settings and test for a day or two.

Turn On "Prevent automatic sleeping when display is off"

Set "Turn display off when inactive" to 5 or 10 minutes

Leave the Mac mini on during the day and only allow the display(s) to turn Off on the timer

Overnight, optionally leave the Mac mini on with the display(s) off or Shut Down

Do not manually Sleep the Mac mini from the Apple Drop Down menu

Shut Down the Mac mini when away for a day or more

In addition to testing, send Feedback to Apple:

using > Feedback - macOS - Apple

ideal54 wrote:

The company uses the Mac Pro trashcans, Mac Studios and M2 mac minis and all of them have experienced this error.

Any other info you need, please let me know!

With such varied hardware, a hardware issue is unlikely. More likely is some third party software which is causing the Kernel Panics. The usual culprits are anti-virus apps, cleaning/optimizer apps, and third party security software. None of these types of apps are needed on a Mac, and these types of apps usually cause more problems than they solve because they interfere with the normal operation of macOS at a low level.

While a company may mandate some sort of anti-virus product perhaps due to their cyber insurance requirements, the company needs to use a product or service which minimizes the interference with the normal operation of macOS. Usually you need to use an Enterprise grade product and not the off the shelf consumer options, but any such software is likely to cause problems. I know that all of the consumer grade products are pure junk these days and have always been problematic on macOS. I know my organization's endpoint solution does cause performance issues at times (along with other MDM management software on our Macs), but I have not found any Kernel Panics on any of the Macs I have serviced, but I don't typically deal with front line issues so maybe they exist, but I'm just unaware.

Have they installed and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on all of their Macs?

ideal54 wrote:

@Old Toad - they've had ESET for many years without issue and had recently used Oynx. But before Oynx, all of them have had this message.

ESET >>> https://discussions.apple.com/search?q=eset

Obviously,  the Companies IT Department knows a lot about Microsoft Windows Environments but has very little actual knowledge / experience when it comes to macOS on Apple Computers 

There are 4 Categories of Third Party Software / Services that are baffling.

In no special order 

1 - Third Party 2 Way Firewalls 

like Lulu and Little Snitch 

2 - Commercial VPNs 

They may not be what one believes they are doing for the computer and what they actually are doing behind the scenes They may also reduce you Internet Speeds by upwards of 30% 

https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29

VPN: What you need to know - Apple Community

3 - Third Party Security Software 

There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 

The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that cannot be opened by the User nor by Third Party Applications.

The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.

Security. Built right in

Mac app security enhancements

The Built in Security  is all that is required to protect the computer.

Protecting against malware in macOS

4 - Third Party Disk Cleaners / Optimizer 

Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS,  is an invitation for disaster. 

Certain Applications maybe available on the Apple Apps Store - this only means the Developer is prepared to pay Apple a percentage on each sale. 

What the Application may do to the computer is up to the User to check this out before purchase

To put the Third Party Disk Cleaner / Optimizer in context and the damages it may have or has already done.

This type of applications can or will Muck Up your User Account ( Home Folder ) of this machine.

It does not touch the Operating System itself unless you consider your User Account ( Home Folder ) as part of the Operating System.

The Operating System could be hosed

OP wrote " This example is from a Mac mini (M2, 2023), macOS version 14.3.1. nothing else is used. "

That specific version of Sonoma 14.3.1 was released Feb 8, 2024 ( 2 Years Ago )

Aside from the usage of Third Party Security Software " ESET " which is useless

This Clients software is way behind in Bug and Security fixes made available in Sonoma 14.8.4 released Feb 11, 2026

Owl-53 wrote:

This Clients software is way behind in Bug and Security fixes made available in Sonoma 14.8.4 released Feb 11, 2026

+1 Excellent point, Owl-53

In addition to needing a Sonoma update, that M2 Mac mini can be upgraded to either Sequoia or Tahoe.

ideal54 wrote:

@Old Toad - they've had ESET for many years without issue ...

Until now.

If you want your Macs to work, let them work the way they were designed to work. Rule 1 of Macs is don't install junk.

John Galt wrote:

ideal54 wrote:

@Old Toad - they've had ESET for many years without issue ...

Until now.

If you want your Macs to work, let them work the way they were designed to work. Rule 1 of Macs is don't install junk.

Amen to that 👍

ideal54 wrote:

@den.thed - Is all of this still relevant if the mac mini HASN'T shut down?

Yes. What happens is, that it crashes and restart sometime during the full computer sleep cycle.

den.thed wrote:

Owl-53 wrote:

This Clients software is way behind in Bug and Security fixes made available in Sonoma 14.8.4 released Feb 11, 2026

+1 Excellent point, Owl-53

In addition to needing a Sonoma update, that M2 Mac mini can be upgraded to either Sequoia or Tahoe.

Spot On 🤞

Once they realize / evaluate the need or No Need for ESET Security Software

🦉-53