MacBook Air M3 (13-inch) kernel panic/pink screen crash

Sounds like your laptop likely has a hardware failure. The only thing left to try is disconnecting all external devices. Perform a DFU Firmware Restore to reset the security enclave chip, system firmware, and internal SSD (destroys all data on the internal SSD) & with an Apple Silicon Mac it will push a clean copy of macOS onto the internal SSD. Unfortunately this process requires access to another Mac currently running macOS 15.7+ Sequoia or macOS 26.x Tahoe (with Sequoia it requires using Apple Configurator v2.19).

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• The Apple Diagnostics will rarely detect any hardware issues even when a hardware issue is confirmed through other means. The MRI specifically is mostly taking a roll call for the hardware components & is not really performing much of any actual testing of the hardware. It is great if the diagnostic reports a failure, but means nothing if no issues are detected.

• Reinstalling macOS generally won't solve most issues these days because the OS system files are located on a read-only signed & sealed APFS system volume. Getting rid of problematic third party software and resetting system configuration options are what can help solve any issues while booting macOS that are caused by software or the OS installation itself.

• If you select the "Erase All Content & Settings" to wipe out all custom data & settings on the computer and you avoid installing any third party apps, and avoid restoring from a backup, and avoid signing into your AppleID/iCloud......then if the issue occurs again, then it is most likely due to a hardware issue (a DFU Firmware Restore is the only more drastic option to take to confirm a hardware failure).

suryam_99 wrote:

Looking for help or to hear from anyone with a similar experience.

Device: MacBook Air, M3, 13”, 16GB RAM, out of warranty/AppleCare

Symptom: After entering my password at login, I get an “unexpected shutdown” report. Clicking anywhere on screen triggers a quick pink flash, then the Mac restarts back to the login screen. This also happens after a few seconds even with no interaction at all. The loop repeats continuously.

History: This exact same issue happened once about a year ago. I backed up my data and was about to schedule a Genius Bar repair, but it self-resolved after leaving the Mac powered off for about 2 days, and I cancelled the appointment. It’s now recurring, with the same pattern.

What I’ve already tried (all ruled out):

• Safe Mode - still crashes

• Clean macOS reinstall (without erasing data) - still crashes

• Disk Utility First Aid - no errors found

• Apple Diagnostics (boot-time) - no issues found

• Disconnected all peripherals still crashes

• Removing all “Open at Login” items - stabilized it for about a day, then the exact same crash returned with no changes made

Has anyone dealt with this specific pattern on an M3 Air? Specifically:

1. Did Apple identify a root cause (GPU, display, logic board)?

2. Has anyone gotten this repaired under a service program despite being out of warranty?

3. Did it recur after repair?

Predicate on the user's byline >> MacBook Air 13″, macOS 26.5 << and the actions they report that have done

" Clean macOS reinstall (without erasing data) - still crashes "

Technically we sometime refer to this as a " Re-Installation "

Which is not the same as a Clean Installation

If the user believes these current issues stem specifically from macOS 26 Tahoe.

For a thorough test of both Tahoe / Hardware and to  determine the root cause of all the computer issues.

Use the “Atomic” option and select “Erase All Content and Settings.” Apple Silicon computer

Use the Erase All Content and Settings feature to quickly and securely erase all settings, data, and apps, while maintaining the operating system currently installed.

Always make a Time Machine backup before proceeding.

Run the computer without installing any additional software and without restoring from your Time Machine backups.

Run the computer in this mode for approximately 2 to 3 hours and report back if the previous issues reoccur.

Respectfully 👍

OP clearly stated " Clean macOS reinstall (without erasing data) - still crashes "

Which implies a Re-Installation over the already existing Installation

Thusly, the likelihood , there could be something within the user account itself

Though, if you bevies this is a Hardware issue

I will defer to your position

Just to add

No issues with my 15 " M4 Laptop 16 GB Unified RAM nor on my 13 " M5 MBA 16 GB Unified RAM both with Tahoe 26.5.2