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Macbook pro kernel panics - IONVMeController.cpp: 5499

Hello,


My Macbook Pro 2017 (13') keeps having kernel panics when it wakes up from standby. It doesn't seem to happen consistently, but it does seem to happen more when my Mac has slept for a longer time (one hour+). This problem seemed to begin to occur when I upgraded to macOS Monterey, but now that I've downgraded to macOS Big Sur, it still happens. This might be a coincidence, but my Mac never had kernel panics on Big Sur or older versions.


The "Problem Report for macOS" is down below. It always seems to give an error with the IONVMeController.cpp file. Thanks in advance for any help!



MacBook Pro

Posted on Nov 22, 2021 1:18 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 22, 2021 5:41 PM

It appears you have the MacBook Pro 13" (2017) non-Touchbar model.


The Kernel Panic is referencing an issue with the SSD ("nvme: Fatal error occurred"). This particular model laptop is known to have SSD failures. In fact there is a free Apple SSD repair program for some of these laptops, but I have seen laptops that do not qualify for the free repair program fail as well. However, there is a slim possibility you have some third party software installed which is interfering with the macOS NVMe driver such as the "HighPoint" driver listed in the Kernel Panic report as the last loaded driver before the panic. Anti-virus software, cleaning apps, and third party security software could also interfere.


Have Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider examine the laptop and provide you with a repair estimate to replace the SSD.


Here are the links to two Apple free repair programs for your model laptop (only Apple or an AASP will be able to confirm whether the laptop qualifies for either free repair program):

https://support.apple.com/13-inch-macbook-pro-solid-state-drive-service


https://support.apple.com/13inch-macbookpro-battery-replacement


FYI, here is the current list of the publicly acknowledged free repair programs for various Apple products (some products such as your laptop may have multiple programs):

https://support.apple.com/service-programs


If your laptop does not qualify for the free SSD repair program, then you may want to consider replacing the SSD with an OWC Aura Pro NT SSD. The OWC SSD will actually be cheaper than replacing the bad SSD with another Apple SSD. In fact you may even be able to install a larger OWC SSD for the same price you would pay Apple for the smaller Apple SSD. However, it appears that currently macOS 12.x Monterey will not install to a third party SSD and it is unknown whether will ever fix the installer. Currently users must reinstall the original Apple SSD in order to upgrade the Mac's system firmware during the Monterey install process. Once the Mac's firmware has been updated it seems the third party SSD can be reinstalled where users can then install Monterey again, but this time to the third party SSD. Who knows what will happen with the next major release of macOS next year or what will happen if Apple releases another system firmware update in a Monterey update.


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1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 22, 2021 5:41 PM in response to cédricleclercq

It appears you have the MacBook Pro 13" (2017) non-Touchbar model.


The Kernel Panic is referencing an issue with the SSD ("nvme: Fatal error occurred"). This particular model laptop is known to have SSD failures. In fact there is a free Apple SSD repair program for some of these laptops, but I have seen laptops that do not qualify for the free repair program fail as well. However, there is a slim possibility you have some third party software installed which is interfering with the macOS NVMe driver such as the "HighPoint" driver listed in the Kernel Panic report as the last loaded driver before the panic. Anti-virus software, cleaning apps, and third party security software could also interfere.


Have Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider examine the laptop and provide you with a repair estimate to replace the SSD.


Here are the links to two Apple free repair programs for your model laptop (only Apple or an AASP will be able to confirm whether the laptop qualifies for either free repair program):

https://support.apple.com/13-inch-macbook-pro-solid-state-drive-service


https://support.apple.com/13inch-macbookpro-battery-replacement


FYI, here is the current list of the publicly acknowledged free repair programs for various Apple products (some products such as your laptop may have multiple programs):

https://support.apple.com/service-programs


If your laptop does not qualify for the free SSD repair program, then you may want to consider replacing the SSD with an OWC Aura Pro NT SSD. The OWC SSD will actually be cheaper than replacing the bad SSD with another Apple SSD. In fact you may even be able to install a larger OWC SSD for the same price you would pay Apple for the smaller Apple SSD. However, it appears that currently macOS 12.x Monterey will not install to a third party SSD and it is unknown whether will ever fix the installer. Currently users must reinstall the original Apple SSD in order to upgrade the Mac's system firmware during the Monterey install process. Once the Mac's firmware has been updated it seems the third party SSD can be reinstalled where users can then install Monterey again, but this time to the third party SSD. Who knows what will happen with the next major release of macOS next year or what will happen if Apple releases another system firmware update in a Monterey update.


Macbook pro kernel panics - IONVMeController.cpp: 5499

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