MacBook Pro kernel panic

Backup your system as you’ll need to reformat your drive and install a fresh OS.

First you’ll need to create a bootable OS installer drive with a USB-C drive like: Samsung T5 SSD Format it to GUID/HFS+ or GUID/APFS using Disk Utility.

You’ll need to download your OS from either the link in Step 4 of the Apps Store directly:

• How to upgrade to macOS Mojave
• How to upgrade to macOS Catalina

Make a copy of the installer before you use it. Then install the OS onto your external drive, then copy the installer to your external drive.

Before you proceed you need to enable boot from external drive. Review this Apple T/N About Startup Security Utility You need to turn off Firmware Password, allow Medium Security and External Boot to proceed. After we have fixed your drive you can reset it to the higher levels.

Verify your system is now able to boot up under the external SSD. Then if you’ve backed up your stuff proceed to Disk Utility to wipe your internal drive. Make sure you remove all of the partitions and containers. With an empty disk run the OS installer on your external drive to install a fresh OS.

Once done, restart your system without your external drive the system should come up clean. If not then you’ll need to visit an Apple Store to get your system repaired under AppleCare warranty. If it does startup clean then carefully install any needed OS updates and your apps from the Apps Store. Make sure your system is working at this point. If you use other apps go to the original source for them. You should install them one at a time making sure each one is working without any problems. Once your Apps are all installed afresh I would recommend making a TimeMachine backup onto your T5 SSD so you have a OS/App base install to speed things up next time.

I do recommend getting a good virus and malware app to make sure you don’t get infected. Before you cope off your data and media files I would scan them to be sure you didn’t have something lurking within them.

Last and likely one of the most important! Make sure your drive is not over loaded! You want to have at least 1/4 of the drive left unused! This is needed with boot drives so they have enough space for caching and virtual RAM. If you work in video or music apps these often need even more space from scratch space. Consider keeping your content on an external drive if your internal drive is on the tight side.