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Computer crashes randomly while using Final Cut Pro. Pink screen. Black screen. Then computer restarts on its own.

On October 23, 2024, I was editing with Final Cut Pro for a few hours on my Mac Mini M2 pro and experienced this crash: screen goes black, then pink and restarts. It happened 3 times in 2 hours. I switch to my intel MBP and didn't experience any issues.


I ran the diagnostic test on my mac mini and there wasn’t any issue.


Unfortunately, the same issue just happened now. I am back on my Mac Mini. I didn't have the issue for 2 weeks. I've been doing the same thing as usual: editing with Final Cut Pro, creating Motion graphics. This seems so random.


I captured the start of the crash code that appears when the computer restarts in Final Cut Pro Send Report to Apple. Here it is:

panic(cpu 1 caller 0xfffffe002e552984): Kernel data abort. at pc 0xfffffe002dc949f8, lr 0x6cd47e002f3fbd14 (saved state: 0xfffffe5fc2113530)


I have a Mac Mini M2 Pro, 32 Gb of memory with Sequoia for several weeks now and I use a 27 inch Apple Studio Display. Half of the 500 Gb hard drive is used.


This is so strange and frustrating.


This never happened until Sequoia.


Am I the only one with the issue?


Thanks for any help.

Mac mini

Posted on Nov 5, 2024 1:25 PM

Reply
8 replies

Nov 6, 2024 2:34 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Yes, I am somewhat dubious as to whether deleting the preferences will help and urge you to follow Luis' advice.


Meanwhile a quick trawl of our friendly Artificial Intelligence suggests looking at the following:-


Random Crash Issues with FCP


Based on the search results, there are several potential causes and solutions for the issue you’re experiencing:

  • Corrupted preference files: After prolonged use of Final Cut Pro, corrupted data can accumulate in the application’s preference files, leading to instability, crashes, and other issues. Try resetting your preferences by holding down the Option and Command keys while launching FCPX. This will open a window to reset preferences. Click “Reset,” then close the project immediately and re-open it.
  • System overload or program force quitting: If your system is overloaded with activity or freezes, a bug may be saved in the system, causing Final Cut Pro to crash. Try restarting your Mac to resolve this issue.
  • Resetting Final Cut Pro-related system resources: Restarting your computer and resetting the Final Cut Pro-related system resources may help resolve the crashing issue.
  • System configuration and installation issues: In some cases, a clean installation of macOS on a new volume or setting up a test volume may help resolve the issue.

To minimize the occurrence of random crashes:

  • Close other resource-intensive applications while using Final Cut Pro.
  • Regularly save your project and close it to prevent data corruption.
  • Consider upgrading your hardware or software to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.

Remember to restart your Mac periodically to clear any system bugs that may be contributing to the crashes. If the issue persists, it may be helpful to seek further assistance from Apple Support or a professional technical expert.

Nov 6, 2024 1:10 AM in response to Julian Liurette

Deleting the preferences, as Ian suggested, is always a good thing to try when something goes wrong.

In this case, I think that there is more to it.

It is not just FCP crashing, it is a kernel panic.

An application per se cannot cause this. It can be caused by something running at a lower level, like a system extension or daemon, or it can be due to a hardware problem.


We need to know more. Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. Use the "additional text" button and paste the report into the text box.

Nov 6, 2024 7:58 AM in response to Julian Liurette

What Luis said is absolutely correct. To expedite resolution of the actual problem, it's vital to understand this. There is no software code or bug in FCP which can be changed to avoid this problem.


This type of problem is a black-and-white issue. It's not the fault of FCP. The hardware-enforced separation of user mode and kernel mode virtually guarantees that. If there was a user-mode app bug that could crash or reboot the computer, then a nefarious actor could use the same technique (without admin privileges) to disrupt computers worldwide.


Prior to Apple Silicon Macs, such problems could be caused by a MacOS kernel extension. Those are disallowed on Apple Silicon, and instead, there is a system extension API that runs in user mode. This is part of Apple's ongoing effort to improve reliability. So there is generally no need to even suspect a kernel extension on Apple Silicon since they cannot be used.


Kernel panics can appear when running FCP or other stressful apps because the workload exposes a defect in the underlying system, whether that's the operating system, drivers or hardware. So it's perfectly natural for users of those apps to report the problems on the app forums, but we FCP users are not experts at deciphering MacOS kernel panics. Ideally, you should be talking to MacOS or hardware support.


That said, we want to help. If you can examine your MacOS logs and post the files for any kernel panics on a file sharing site we can access. Kernel panic files are in either /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports or in /var/db/PanicReporter.


It wouldn't hurt to check the Mac's cooling vents are not blocked and that there's at least 20% of free disk space on the system drive, but those things normally wouldn't cause a kernel panic.


If you have access to an Apple Store with a Genius Bar, they have overnight and multi-day stress tests which are more meaningful.

Nov 6, 2024 10:27 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions. I chatted with a Apple FCP technician last night about this too and it crashed while we chatted. She didn't have an answer but asked me to try and work directly on the internal drive and check if a filter plugin might be the culprit.


I've never used Etrecheck. Is it free? It seems like it's from Canada, like me!


To answer a few questions: I don't ever have render on in FCP and I have over half of my internal hard drive available in terms of capacity. (500GB).


I'll try what you are suggesting and keep you posted. Thanks again

Nov 6, 2024 11:07 AM in response to Julian Liurette

What the Apple FCP technician told you is incorrect based on your stated symptoms. If only FCP was crashing (not MacOS), checking for third-party FCP filter plugins would be a reasonable step. However, if MacOS is crashing, the problem is at a lower level. Those lower-level problems can sometimes be responsible for FCP crashing, but FCP is never at fault for MacOS crashing.


Yes, Etrecheck is free and safe to use. If you can post those results here, we can examine your system config for problems.


If you have outboard audio or video interfaces or a second monitor, as a troubleshooting step, you can try temporarily removing those.


If you can obtain and post on a file-sharing service the kernel panic files from /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports or /var/db/PanicReporter, I will personally examine those. However, those should really be examined by Apple MacOS support. I'd suggest you immediately copy those off to a safe location because otherwise, they can "age off" the system.


Those files should have a name ending in .panic and there may be a companion file of the same date/time ending in .ips.


Also check in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Archive/ because, after a period of time, the older panic files are put there. After more time passes or if the system is in need of disk space, they may be automatically deleted.

Computer crashes randomly while using Final Cut Pro. Pink screen. Black screen. Then computer restarts on its own.

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