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Kernel panic - Mac won’t start

I tried doing a software update but as it was installing it stopped mid way through and was stuck for several hours. I was then greeted with an error:


Your computer restarted because of a problem. Press a key to continue starting up.


I press any key and the progress bar appears before the same error message shows again. So it does a loop.


i then tried booting into Safe Mode but that doesnt work...

Posted on Jun 29, 2018 2:42 PM

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Posted on Jun 29, 2018 8:03 PM

Thanks for that information.


I didn't even need the bootable flash drive and used Option-Command-R when starting up to download and install High Sierra which was a lot easier than I thought. This support page was most helpful: Reinstall macOS - Apple Support


In terms of the Mojave Public Beta, I had not used it and was in the process of installing before it stalled. I left it for more than 8 hours and was making no progress. I got concerned so did a hard shut down. Then thats when my iMac would not start up and got the kernel panic

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Question marked as Best reply

Jun 29, 2018 8:03 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks for that information.


I didn't even need the bootable flash drive and used Option-Command-R when starting up to download and install High Sierra which was a lot easier than I thought. This support page was most helpful: Reinstall macOS - Apple Support


In terms of the Mojave Public Beta, I had not used it and was in the process of installing before it stalled. I left it for more than 8 hours and was making no progress. I got concerned so did a hard shut down. Then thats when my iMac would not start up and got the kernel panic

Jun 29, 2018 8:04 PM in response to erahi

A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later

You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
  2. Disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  3. Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences.
  6. Start the computer in Safe Mode. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally. Also, see Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support and Playing Safe- what does Safe mode do?.
  7. Use Apple Hardware Test to see if there is any hardware malfunction. How to invoke and interpret the Apple hardware tests - CNET.
  8. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list. Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  9. Repair permissions on the Home folder: Resolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder.
  10. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  11. Download and install the OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update or 10.12.6 Combo Update or Download macOS High Sierra 10.13.5 Combo Update as needed.
  12. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
  13. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
  1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
  2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.
  3. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  4. Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  7. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

14. If none of the above helps then see How to Downgrade macOS High Sierra and macOS Reversion- How to Downgrade from High Sierra.

15. If you get here without success then make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple.

Jun 29, 2018 8:04 PM in response to erahi

You used a method that restores the version that was previously installed meaning you were using a macOS Beta version. You can install High Sierra is you completely wipe the drive inclusive of the Recovery HD. If your flash drive has a functioning High Sierra installer on it then follow this process:


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately at the chime hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears.
  2. Select the disk icon for the flash drive, then click on the Arrow button underneath.
  3. Wait for the startup to finish and the Utility Menu to appear.
  4. Select Disk Utility in the Utility Menu, and click on the Continue button.
  5. When Disk Utility loads select the physical drive (usually, the out-dented or topmost entry that contains the disk's mfgr. and capacity) from the side list.
  6. Click on the Erase tab in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
  7. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  8. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  9. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  10. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  11. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


This should install the macOS version from the flash drive.

Jun 29, 2018 5:27 PM in response to Kappy

Hello, I’m trying to re-install macOS Using the command R keys. When I click on Reinstall MacOS it takes me to the MacOS Mojave beta which was how the problem started in the first place. I have a bootable usb flash drive with high sierra. How can I use that to install?


I have a partial time machine backup so cannot erase the disk

Kernel panic - Mac won’t start

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