Resolving Kernel Panics

1. Incompatible Software Programs
2. Incompatible Software Folder On Mac Download
3. Software Incompatible With Windows 10

The 'You need to restart your computer' alert indicates a kernel panic. This FAQ, based on the 'Kernel Panics' chapter of our book Troubleshooting Mac® OS X, provides a set of procedures which should resolve most kernel panics.

Additional information, including how to use and interpret panic logs for troubleshooting, can be found in the 'Kernel Panics' chapter of Troubleshooting Mac OS X.

I just updated to 10.10.3 today and got this warning about incompatible software: I got the same warning during the 10.10.2 upgrade. I once had Trim Enabler installed and got a failure during upgrading to Yosemite, so I disabled it rather than deal with the kext signing issue.

Before you begin...

1. Source: StatCounter Global Stats - macOS Version Market Share It may be that many Mac users are using older Macs that can't run Mojave. There were a number of Macs from around 2009 and 2010 that.
2. Fortunately, several applications, including Microsoft Word for Mac OS X and Apple's Pages, allow you to work with Word documents on a Mac. Microsoft Word for Mac OS X The Microsoft Office software bundle, including Word, is available for Mac OS X. Microsoft Office for Mac OS X 2011 includes all of the same features as Microsoft Word for Windows.

The procedures defined herein constitute a testing road map and should be followed in the order specified. Read this FAQ thoroughly before proceeding in order to familiarize yourself with the steps and assure you have the necessary resources available.

Causes of kernel panics

General causes of kernel panics

Kernel panics are often caused by one or more of the following issues.

• Defective or incompatible RAM often causes of kernel panics. Despite being a highly-reliable product, RAM can fail. Modern operating systems, like Mac OS X, are sensitive to RAM. Purchase additional RAM from either Apple or third parties who guarantee their RAM is compatible with Mac OS X, offer a liberal exchange policy, and provide a lifetime warranty should the RAM become defective or a later version of Mac OS X introduce incompatibilities.
• Incompatible, obsolete, or corrupted kernel extensions. If a third-party kernel extension or one of its dependencies is incompatible or obsolete with respect to the version of Mac OS X you are using, kernel panics may occur when the kernel executes such extensions. Likewise, if a kernel extension or one of its dependencies is corrupted, such as the result of hard disk corruption, kernel panics are likely to occur when the kernel attempts to load or execute such.
• Incompatible, obsolete, or corrupted drivers. Similar to kernel extensions, drivers for third-party hardware which are incompatible with the version of Mac OS X you are using, or which have become corrupted, will cause in kernel panics.
• Hard disk corruption, including bad sectors, directory corruption, and other hard-disk ills.
• Incorrect permissions on System-related files or folders.
• Insufficient RAM and available hard disk space.
• Improperly installed hardware or software.
• Defective hardware or software. Hardware failures, including a defective CPU, or programming errors can result in kernel panics.
• Incompatible hardware. While rare, this is generally the result of a third-party hardware vendor’s product failing to properly respond to the kernel or a kernel extension in an expected way.

Specific causes of kernel panics

The follow specific issues, including a variety of Mac OS X bugs, are known to cause kernel panics. If none of the following issues apply, proceed to the 'Troubleshooting kernel panics' section.

• A Mac that is incompatible with Mac OS X or is missing the System folder. If you receive a No driver for this platform message along with a kernel panic:, then:
  • Your Mac may be incompatible with Mac OS X.
  • Your Mac’s System folder may be missing or damaged.
• See the AppleCare® Knowledge Base document “Mac OS X: ‘No Driver for this platform’ Message.”
• Outdated firmware. Firmware-related bugs have been known to cause kernel panics. Firmware updates for your Mac may not appear in Software Update. Check for updates to your Mac's firmware by searching Apple Downloads for firmware updates for your specific model of Mac. For example, if you have an iMac®, use the search criterion iMac firmware to search for iMac-related firmware updates. Download and install applicable firmware updates.
• To determine the current version of firmware installed on your Mac:
  • Open System Profiler, located in the Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities folder.
  • In the Contents pane — the left pane of the System Profiler window — select Hardware.
  • The Hardware Overview for your Mac appears in the right pane of the System Profiler window.
    • Your Mac's current Boot ROM firmware version is shown in the Boot ROM Version field. The Boot ROM firmware loads the operating system when you start up your Mac.
    • Intel®-based Macs have a second firmware element specified in the SMC Version field. The SMC is the System Management Controller, which is responsible for the computer's power-management functions. See also the AppleCare Knowledge Base document 'EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Macs.'
• Improperly installed or loose AirPort® or AirPort Extreme® card. The card may have been installed upside-down or become dislodged. Consult the manual that came with your Mac for instructions on properly installing the AirPort or AirPort Extreme card. If your manual isn't handy, you can download a copy from the 'Apple Manuals' page.
• Incorrect version of AirPort software with an AirPort Extreme card. Running an incorrect version of AirPort software with an AirPort Extreme card will result in a kernel panic. See the AppleCare Knowledge Base document “AirPort Extreme: Computer Doesn’t Start After Installing Card.”
• Corrupted sleepimage file on Mac portable computers employing safe sleep.
• Corrupted Time Machine® backup disk or backing up a corrupted disk or corrupted files with Time Machine.
• Journaling-related kernel panic. If the panic log begins with:
  • panic(cpu 0 caller 0x0nnnnnnn): jnl: transaction too big...
• where nnnnnnn is a number representing a memory address, then see our 'Journal-related kernel panic under Tiger' FAQ.
• Other Mac OS X bugs. Search the AppleCare® Knowledge Base for 'kernel panic' (including the quotes), specifying the following additional search criteria:
  • Restrict by product: Choose your version of Mac OS X.
  • Restrict by document type: Choose Troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting kernel panics

General advice for resolving kernel panics and other startup problems can be found in the following AppleCare Knowledge Base documents:

If the instructions in these AppleCare Knowledge Base document do not resolve the issue, try the following steps:

1. Rule out incompatible third-party kernel extensions, Startup Items, and Login Items.

Start up in Safe Mode and use your Mac normally for a time to see if the panic recurs. Third-party kernel extensions, Startup Items, and Login Items are not loaded in Safe Mode. Note that running in Safe Mode may prevent you from using third-party hardware that depends upon associated third-party kernel extensions.

If the problem does not recur, then this implies a third-party kernel extension, Startup Item, or Login Item may be the cause.

• You can identify third-party kernel extensions by examining the panic log and then troubleshooting them by process of elimination. You may also be able to identify the culprit by following steps 5 and 6 below.
• To rule out corrupted or incompatible Startup Items or Login Items, follow the procedure specified in our 'Troubleshooting Startup and Login Items' FAQ to ascertain if these are causing kernel panics.

2. Rule out major hardware problems

Kernel panics frequently result from major hardware problems with your Mac. To rule these out, follow the instructions in our 'Apple Hardware Test' FAQ to run the Apple Hardware Test distributed with Macintosh® computers manufactured in recent years. In particular, consider the instructions for running the test in Loop Mode which, if supported, is often effective in identifying hardware-related causes of intermittent kernel panics.

If you Mac predates the distribution of the Apple Hardware Test, our 'Apple Hardware Test' FAQ also recommends third-party utilities for hardware testing.

If the Apple Hardware Test or your third-party hardware-testing utility identifies problems with RAM, remove the RAM DIMMs (Dual Inline Memory Modules, colloquially known as 'sticks') indicated as having failed the hardware test.

If the Apple Hardware Test or your third-party hardware-testing utility identifies problems other than RAM, have these repaired.

Notes about RAM testing

• If kernel panics have occurred immediately after installing new RAM, assure the DIMMS are properly installed and correctly seated in their expansion slots, the sockets into which the DIMMs are installed.
• While the Apple Hardware Test will almost invariably find defective RAM, there have been situations where defective RAM has been missed. As RAM problems are the leading cause of kernel panics, you may wish to perform additional RAM tests. Additional methods of testing RAM include third-party RAM tests and testing by process of elimination.
  • Third-party RAM tests. Third-party utilities which provide RAM testing include:
    • Micromat TechTool® Pro and TechTool Deluxe, the latter provided with an AppleCare Service Plan prior to March 2011.
    • The freeware command-line utility Memtest. The freeware utility Rember provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to Memtest.
  • Testing RAM by process of elimination. You can test individual RAM DIMMs by process of elimination:
    • If your Mac has multiple RAM DIMMs, you can remove all but one and retest your Mac to see if kernel panics recur. If kernel panics do not recur, reinstall a second RAM DIMM and retest. Repeat this process until you have tested all of your RAM. If kernel panics recur at any point, the last DIMM you reinstalled is probably defective and should be replaced.
    • You can also test a known, good DIMM in different expansion slots to help rule out the possibility of a defective slot.
• Some Macintosh computers, including iBook® and iMac models, have factory-installed RAM, either directly installed on the logic board or in a factory-only accessible memory slot. This RAM cannot be removed for testing purposes. If this RAM proves to be defective, your Mac must be taken in for service. You can only test RAM by process of elimination if that RAM is installed in the user-accessible memory slots in your Mac. Consult the manual which came with your Mac for details and instructions concerning installing and removing RAM.

3. Repair disk and permissions on your Mac OS X startup disk

Run Steps 1-3 of our 'Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption' FAQ to assure that your Mac OS X startup disk is free of problems.

4. Assure you have sufficient RAM and available disk space

See our 'Problems from Insufficient RAM and Free Hard Disk Space' FAQ.

5. Rule out an incompatible, defective, or corrupted third-party application

If kernel panics consistently occur when using a specific application:

• Check the Web site of the application’s developer, publisher, or vendor for updates to the application. Install updates if available.
• Uninstall, then reinstall the application and any available updates.
• Contact the application’s developer, publisher, or vendor for further advice.

6. Eliminate other potential hardware problems

6.1. Assure drivers and kernel extensions for third-party hardware are current

If you have installed third-party hardware or peripherals that required you to also install specific, vendor-provided software, such as drivers or kernel extensions, to support that hardware under Mac OS X, check the vendor's Web site to assure you have the latest version of the required software. If the version of the required software installed on your Mac is not current, install the latest version.

Examples of such vendor-provided software include:

• Drivers or customization utilities for third-party mice or keyboards.
• Drivers for third-party broadband modems, such as USB-attached cable or DSL modems.
• Drivers for third-party expansion cards.
• Drivers for the retail versions of third-party video cards.

6.2. Verify connections, cables, and proper installation

Following all of the safety instructions documented in the Apple manual which accompanied your Mac, assure all connections and cables associated with peripherals or internal hardware additions you have installed are good.

If you have installed new hardware inside your computer, such as a new video card, hard disk, or AirPort card assure that these devices are properly installed.

6.3. Remove peripherals and third-party hardware additions

Incompatible hardware -- peripherals and hardware additions -- or vendor-provided software related to such -- such as kernel extensions -- can cause kernel panics. Ruling out these items by process of elimination is required if testing to this point has not resolved kernel panics.

1. Following all of the safety instructions documented in the Apple manual which accompanied your Mac, remove all hardware additions that you have made to your Mac:
   1. Remove all peripherals -- USB, FireWire®, and related devices -- except the Apple mouse, Apple keyboard, and monitor.
   2. If you have added other internal devices, such as third-party expansion cards, remove these as well.
   3. Note: Some hardware or peripherals you have added to your Mac may have also required you to install vendor-supplied software, such as drivers or kernel extensions, to support that hardware under Mac OS X. If you are removing hardware that required associated software to be installed, you should also uninstall that software. Consult the documentation that came with the third-party hardware and its software for instructions on uninstalling the associated software.
2. Start up your Mac and see if the kernel panic recurs. If the panic does not recur, the cause was likely a problem related to one of the hardware additions, or its associated software, you removed in step (1).
3. Shut down your Mac. Reconnect or reinstall one of the removed hardware components, again following all of the safety instructions documented in the Apple manual which accompanied your Mac. If vendor-provided software is required for this component, install the latest available version of that software as well.
4. Restart your Mac. If the kernel panic recurs, the last hardware component you added, or its associated software, if any, is the culprit. Remove this component and uninstall any associated vendor-provided software.
5. Repeat steps (3)-(4) until you have reconnected or reinstalled all of the hardware components and any associated vendor-provided software removed in step (1) exceptthose which caused kernel panics.
6. Contact the manufacturer of the component(s) responsible for the panics, or check their Web sites, for updated drivers or further advice.

If all else fails...

If you have followed all of the troubleshooting steps above and none of the steps have either uncovered a cause or resolved the kernel panics, the following are your remaining options:

1. Reinstall Mac OS X:
   • If you are running Mac OS X 10.6, see the AppleCare Knowledge Base document 'Mac OS X 10.6 Help: Reinstalling Mac OS X.'
   1. If you are running Mac OS X 10.5 or earlier, use the Archive and Install process. See our 'General advice on performing an Archive and Install' FAQ.
2. Perform an Erase and Install of Mac OS X:
   • If you are running Mac OS X 10.6, see the AppleCare Knowledge Base document 'Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard: How to Erase and Install.'
   • If you are running Mac OS X 10.5 or earlier:
   1. Backup your personal data using your comprehensive backup and recovery solution.
   2. Start up from your Mac OS X Install disc and erase the Mac OS X startup disk using Disk Utility. Use the Security Options to 'Zero Out Data' or 'Zero All Data' depending on the version of Mac OS X you are using. See our 'Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption' FAQ for instructions on running Disk Utility from your Mac OS X install disc.
   3. Reinstall Mac OS X using the Erase and Install option.
   4. Reinstall your third-party applications, omitting the following:
      1. Third-party interface modifications, hacks, or 'haxies.'
      2. Third-party Menu Extras.
   5. Restore the data you backed-up in step (a).
3. Take your Mac in for service. If there is an Apple Retail Store in your area, we recommend taking your Mac there. Otherwise, you may be able to find an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) in your area. To locate an AASP:
   1. In the US, search this page.
   2. If you are outside the US, see this page or contact Apple for assistance.

Using and interpreting panic logs

Comprehensive advice on using and interpreting panic logs can be found in the 'Kernel Panics' chapter of Troubleshooting Mac® OS X.

Obtaining help with kernel panics

Kernel panics usually generate a file called a panic log. The structure and location of this file depends on the version of Mac OS X you are using:

• Under Mac OS X 10.6, panic logs are saved in the Macintosh HD > Library > DiagnosticReports folder. Every panic log is saved in a unique file with a name conforming to the format Kernel_timestamp_computername.panic where timestamp is the date and time of the panic in YYYY-MM-DD-HHMMSS format and computername is the name specified in the Computer Name field of Sharing preferences.
• Under Mac OS X 10.5, panic logs are saved in the Macintosh HD > Library > PanicReporter folder. Every panic log is saved in a unique file with a name conforming to the format timestamp.panic where timestamp is the date and time of the panic in YYYY-MM-DD-HHMMSS format.
• Under Mac OS X 10.4 and earlier, panic logs are saved in the panic.log file in the Computer > Macintosh HD > Library > Logs folder. The panic.log file contains the logs from all panics, the most recent at the end of the file.

Note that there are three exceptions which prevent automatic panic logging:

• If a kernel panic occurs immediately after the startup tone sounds, a panic log may not be written as the file system has yet to be mounted.
• If remote debugging has been enabled via the debug parameter in boot-args, automatic panic logging is disabled.
• If the kernel panic is the result of corrupted components of the kernel itself, such as code associated with writing to hard disks or other I/O (Input/Output) peripherals.

If you have performed all of the troubleshooting steps specified above in the Troubleshooting kernel panics section of this FAQ, and the source of the kernel panics remains unidentified, then you can post recent panic logs to the appropriate forum on the Apple® Discussions for analysis. The appropriate forum is the one corresponding to the version of Mac OS X you are using.

We recommend that you do not post the panic log until after you have performed all of the tests recommended above in the Troubleshooting kernel panics section. Otherwise, you will probably be referred back to this FAQ to perform the tests.

If you are using Mac OS X 10.5 or later, post the contents of the most recent panic log.

If you are using Mac OS X 10.4 or earlier, copy and paste the most recent panicfrom the end of the panic.log file to a post. If your Mac has experienced multiple kernel panics, remember that the panic.log file contains a panic log for each kernel panic. Post only the most recent panic logs, which will be at the end of the panic.log file. For example, post just the panic logs from kernel panics which occurred today.

If any of the tests revealed problems, be sure to note that in your post. Likewise, if the panics consistently occur when using a specific application, be sure to note that application in your post, including its name and the version of the application you are using.

Related links

Minecraft is a lego-like sandbox video game that was released by Mojang in 2011, which was then bought by Microsoft after three years. The game has sold more than 180 million copies all over the world, as of late 2019. It also has 112 million monthly active players worldwide. The game is basically a test of the players’ creativity —mining for resources, building structures, and defending one’s territory by placing and arranging blocks. You can even go on adventures and connect with other players, regardless of the platform they are using.

Minecraft is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Minecraft Console Edition (CE) is available for the Xbox platform and for the PlayStation platform (which costs $20), while Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) is available for Android and iOS devices for $7.

However, because of the graphics requirements and building nature of the game, the best platform for this app is still the desktop computer. The Mac version, in particular, supports user-created skins and mods and is compatible with Realms for Java Edition. To download the game, just go to the website, choose your platform, and download the installer. Just follow the on-screen installation instructions and you’re good to go.

Can’t Launch Minecraft on Mac

Unfortunately, the installation process is not as seamless for all Mac users. Several Minecraft gamers reported a Minecraft bug on Mac which prevents them from playing the game. Minecraft keeps on crashing on startup, even though the users have followed all the installation instructions. According to reports, the Minecraft game fails to load every time they try to open it, and sometimes they get an error message along with the crash. In most cases, the Minecraft game was previously working when the error suddenly appeared.

Pro Tip: Scan your Mac for performance issues, junk files, harmful apps, and security threats
that can cause system issues or slow performance.

Special offer. About Outbyte, uninstall instructions, EULA, Privacy Policy.

Here are some of the error messages that Minecraft gamers encountered on Mac:

• Minecraft Launcher quit unexpectedly.
• Exception in thread “main” java.lang.UnsupportedClassVersionError: net/minecraft/client/main/Main : Unsupported major.minor version 52.0
• Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM warning: Ignoring option PermSize; support was removed in 8.0
• Exception in thread “main” java.lang.ClassCastException: class jdk.internal.loader.ClassLoaders$AppClassLoader cannot be cast to class java.net.URLClassLoader (jdk.internal.loader.ClassLoaders$AppClassLoader and java.net.URLClassLoader are in module java.base of loader ‘bootstrap’)
• 51 FATAL ERROR in … org.lwjgl.opengl
  56 Process crashed with exit code 6
• An unexpected issue occurred and the game has crashed. We’re sorry for the inconvenience.

This can be frustrating for users who are looking forward to playing the Minecraft game. Some of the players tried a lot of workarounds, but none of them seem to work. But what causes this Minecraft startup issue on macOS?

What Causes Minecraft Crashing on Startup?

The error message that accompanies the crash should give you an idea about what caused the problem. For example, if you get this error:

Exception in thread “main” java.lang.UnsupportedClassVersionError: net/minecraft/client/main/Main : Unsupported major.minor version 52.0

Or this one:

Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM warning: Ignoring option PermSize; support was removed in 8.0

These messages tell you that the crash was probably related to the Java version installed on your Mac. It could be that you don’t have Java installed or the version on your Mac is already outdated. It is also possible that you have installed the latest version of Java, but the Minecraft can’t detect it for some reason.

Another possible reason why you can’t launch Minecraft on your Mac is that your launcher has been corrupted. Incomplete downloads and malware infection can be behind the launcher’s corruption. You also need to consider other factors, such as incompatible drivers, unnecessary files, not enough storage space, or maybe it is simply a bug.

Minecraft Bug on Mac

If you’re using Minecraft 2.0.792 on macOS, then you’re probably affected by the Minecraft Launcher bug. Mojang has immediately worked on the issue and released a fix for the bug. But if you have installed the update with the bug fix and you still can’t launch Minecraft on your Mac, Mojang recommends doing the following:

Incompatible Software Programs

1. Open Finder, then press Command + Shift + G to open the Finder search function.
2. Type this in the search window: ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft
3. Click on the Launcher.jar file.
4. The Minecraft launcher should now open as a Java tab and you should now be able to play the game.

Incompatible Software Folder On Mac Download

If you’re running Minecraft 17w43a and Minecraft 17w43b, here are the steps to fix the bug:

1. On your Minecraft launcher, go to Launch Options.
2. Click on your Minecraft profile.
3. Uncheck Resolution.
4. Go to the News tab, then press Play.
5. Minecraft should now load and you should be able to play the game in the new snapshot.

If you’re not affected by these bugs yet you can’t open Minecraft on macOS, you should give the following solutions a shot.

Minecraft Crash on Launch on macOS: Common Fixes

If your version of Minecraft is not included in the versions affected by the bugs listed above, then the frequent crashing is probably caused by something else. But before you try any of the solutions below, make sure to do some house cleaning first to avoid complications and to improve the chances of these fixes to work.

Software Incompatible With Windows 10

Here are some basic troubleshooting tips you should follow:

• Disable your antivirus or other security software that might be interfering with the launching of Minecraft.
• Clean up your system using a Mac cleaning software. This should get rid of cached data and junk files that are cluttering your system.
• Uninstall apps that you no longer need to free up more space for your games.
• Restart your Mac. A fresh start can do a lot of wonders for your system.

Once your Mac has been prepped and ready, you can start to work your way down the list to see which solution works for you.

Fix #1: Update Your Minecraft Game.

If you’re using an earlier version of Minecraft, it is best to upgrade to the latest version to enjoy new game developments and improve your gaming experience.

To update Minecraft, open the game launcher. The launcher should automatically show you the latest version of the app. If it is not updated, click the arrow located on the right side of the Play button. Click the Latest Release link to update your Minecraft to the latest version. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.

Fix #2: Update Your Java Installation.

One of the common causes of Minecraft crashing on startup issue is an outdated Java installation. Having an updated Java is important, particularly for those playing the Java Edition of the game. It is also crucial that you install the Java version that is suitable for your macOS version. Install the 32-bit Java for the older macOS version and the 64-bit Java for Catalina and other recent macOS versions. If you don’t want the hassle of looking for the compatible software for your game, you can use a driver updater instead.

Keep in mind that starting from Minecraft 1.12, Minecraft will need Java 8 to run. If you don’t have Java 8 or you don’t know what Java version you have installed on your Mac, you don’t have to worry because the installer comes with its own Java version by default. Just make sure to uninstall your current Java installation to avoid conflicts because of multiple Java installations.

Fix #3: Set the Java Directory Manually.

If you have multiple Java installations and you want to use a specific version for the Minecraft game, you need to manually set the path for the game to avoid confusion.

To do this:

1. Click on the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Java.
2. Click on the Java tab, then select View.
3. Select and copy all of the text under Path. The path to the Java installation should look like this:
   /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin/Contents/Home/bin/java
4. Open the Minecraft launcher, then click Launch options.
5. Click on the version of the Minecraft game you want to run.
6. Scroll down to Java executable and switch the feature on.
7. Paste the text you copied (under Path) into the box.

Close the window and try launching Minecraft once again.

Fix #4: Redownload the Launcher.

1. If you have a corrupted or incomplete launcher, you can download a good working copy from this link.
2. Install the launcher by double-clicking on the launcher file and dragging the Minecraft icon to the Applications folder.
3. Disregard any notifications about your Java installation being outdated.
4. Once the new launcher has been installed, try opening the game again and see if the new launcher works.

Fix #5: Use the Bootstrap.jar as Launcher.

If you’ve downloaded a new launcher and it doesn’t seem to work, you can try opening the app using the Bootstrap.jar file instead. To access the file, follow the steps below:

1. Double-click on the Minecraft app and choose Show package contents.
2. Navigate to Contents > Resources > Java.
3. Double-click on Bootstrap.jar to open it. This should work as the Minecraft Launcher.

Wrapping Up

Not being able to play Minecraft because of startup issues can be annoying. If you ever come across any error or you can’t launch Minecraft on your Mac, you can refer to the guide above to make it work again. If all else fails, you can simply re-install the whole game to completely resolve the error.