Many M1 Mac Mini users complained their devices crash at least once every day. Oftentimes, they also get a strange error message warning them about an “Invalid kernel stack pointer (Probable overflow)” issue. These crashes usually occur when users are away from the keyboard or overnight during sleep. If you’ve been experiencing similar issues, follow the troubleshooting steps below to get rid of this error.
Fix “Invalid Kernel Stack Pointer (Probable Overflow)” M1 Mac Mini Crashes
Reboot Through Safe Mode
Remove all the peripherals connected to your device except your monitor. Then boot into Safe Mode to clear and rebuild your Mac’s boot cache. To start your M1 Mac Mini in Safe Mode:
Click on the Apple menu, and select Shut Down.
Wait for 30 seconds, and then press and hold the Power button until the Startup options appear on the screen.
Select your disk.
Then press and hold the Shift key and click on Continue in Safe Mode.
Wait for two minutes, reboot your Mac Mini normally and check if the issue persists.
Don’t Use Sleep Mode
Since these crashes often occur while your M1 Mac Mini device is in Sleep Mode, refrain from using this option. When you’re away from your computer for more than thirty minutes, use the Shut Down option instead.
While Sleep Mode is not bad for your computer, it seems that Apple still has a few OS bugs to squash. Hopefully, this is only a temporary software-related issue. Many users are convinced there’s a flaw in the manner in which Big Sur upgrades interact with M1 chips. All the clues seem to point to a sleep transition problem but Apple remains tight-lipped on the subject.
Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus and System Cleaners
Your M1 Mac Mini has excellent built-in security features that can successfully keep cyber threats at bay. Sometimes, installing a third-party antivirus, or anti-malware solution can do more harm than good.
The same is valid for third-party system cleaners and other system optimization programs. After all, macOS is not Windows. Go ahead and remove all of that, restart your M1 Mac Mini, and check if the device still crashes.
Disconnect External Devices
If you’re using an external hard drive for nightly clones, disconnect it and check if you notice any improvements. Many users who used similar setups confirmed that disconnecting their hard drives solved the problem.
For the best possible results, disconnect all external devices before putting your Mac Mini to sleep. Do give this workaround a try, and check if it works for you as well.
Contact Apple Support
If the error persists, contact Apple Support for further help. If your M1 Mac Mini is under warranty, use the Get Support link and open a support request. Once you get a reply from Apple, feel free to contact us and tell us more about the issue that the folks from Apple Support were able to identify.
Conclusion
If your M1 Mac Mini keeps crashing with the “Invalid Kernel Stack Pointer (Probable Overflow)” error, reboot through Safe Mode. Additionally, uninstall third-party antivirus solutions and system cleaners. If the issue persists, disconnect all external devices, and instead of using Sleep Mode, use the Shut Down button.
Did you manage to fix the problem? Let us know in the comments below.
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies — AI and DNA computing in particular.
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