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What is Kernel Panic?

When your Linux system encounters a serious error it cannot fix, it crashes and displays error messages repeatedly. This is called a "kernel panic." Your computer becomes stuck and won't boot properly. You might see messages like "Kernel panic — not syncing" and the system refuses to start.

What Happened to Me

While updating my Kali Linux to the latest version, I encountered a kernel panic. This has become a common occurrence lately, but don't worry — there are several reliable methods to fix this issue

How I Fixed It — Simple Steps

Step 1: Get Back to an Older, Working Kernel

When the system crashes, it usually means a newly updated kernel is broken. Older kernels often work fine.

What to do:

  1. Force restart your computer (hold the power button or click Stop in VirtualBox)
  2. Turn it back on
  3. Immediately hold the Shift key or you can esc while it's booting up
  4. A menu called GRUB should appear showing different kernel options(advanced options)
  5. Look for an older kernel version in the list
  6. Select it and press Enter
  7. The system should boot successfully with the old kernel

Step 2: Check All Your Kernels

Once you're back in a working system, see which kernels you have installed:

bash

sudo dpkg -l | grep linux-image

This shows you a list like:

  • linux-image-6.12.38 ← Old kernel (working)
  • linux-image-6.16.7 ← Broken
  • linux-image-6.16.8 ← Broken
  • linux-image-6.16.9 ← Broken

The ones causing problems are usually the newest ones.

Step 3: Remove the Broken Kernels

Remove the problematic kernel versions. But BE CAREFUL — only remove the ones you're NOT currently using.

First, check which kernel you're using RIGHT NOW:

bash

uname -r

For example, if it shows 6.12.38, then you're safely using the old kernel. Now you can remove the broken newer ones:

bash

sudo apt remove linux-image-6.16.7+deb14-amd64 linux-image-6.16.9+deb14-amd64

Golden Rule: Never remove the kernel shown by uname -r command.

Step 4: Update the Boot Menu

After removing broken kernels, tell the system to update its boot menu:

bash

sudo update-grub

Step 5: Restart Your Computer

bash

sudo reboot

Let it restart. It should boot smoothly this time without the kernel panic error.

Step 6: Verify It's Fixed

After reboot, check which kernel you're using:

bash

uname -r

If it shows a kernel number and you can use your computer normally — you're fixed! 🎉

Stop Kernel Updates (Optional)

If you want to prevent the system from automatically updating to broken kernels in the future:

bash

sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade --without-new-kernels

This updates everything EXCEPT the kernel.

Free Up Disk Space

If you're running low on storage after this, clean up safely:

bash

sudo apt autoremove sudo apt autoclean sudo apt clean

These commands only remove old temporary files and cache — they won't delete your important data or tools.

Things I Learned

  1. GRUB menu is your savior — Always try to boot into an older kernel when something breaks
  2. Check before you delete — Always use uname -r to see which kernel you're using before removing anything
  3. Update GRUB after changes — This makes sure the system recognizes your changes
  4. Keep backups — Always backup important files before making system changes
  5. Prevent future updates — Once you find a working kernel, prevent it from auto-updating

What If GRUB Menu Doesn't Appear?

If you can't access the GRUB menu (rare but possible):

  • Try pressing Escape instead of Shift
  • Wait longer before pressing keys during startup
  • If nothing works, you may need to create a Linux recovery USB and boot from that

Summary

Kernel panic looks scary, but it's usually fixable by:

  1. Booting into an old kernel from the GRUB menu
  2. Removing the broken new kernels
  3. Updating GRUB
  4. Restarting

Sometimes this method won't work, so you may need to reinstall Kali by backing up the files you need

What If You Can't Boot Into Any Old Kernel?

If the GRUB menu never shows up and you really can't boot anything, then yes — you need to reinstall.

But before you do:

  1. Get a live Linux USB (download Kali or Ubuntu ISO)
  2. Boot from the USB to run Linux from there
  3. Your broken VM's files will still be there — you can access and copy them
  4. Save what you need to an external USB drive
  5. Then do a fresh Kali install
  6. Restore your files after installation

This way you don't completely lose everything.

Going forward, prevent this problem:

  • When updating, use: sudo apt upgrade --without-new-kernels
  • This prevents automatic kernel updates that could break things again
  • Back up your important files regularly

Bottom line: If GRUB recovery doesn't work in 30 minutes, reinstalling is actually the smarter choice. Don't waste 3 hours troubleshooting when you could have a working system in 30 minutes.

What is Kernel Panic?

When your Linux system encounters a serious error it cannot fix, it crashes and displays error messages repeatedly. This is called a "kernel panic." Your computer becomes stuck and won't boot properly. You might see messages like "Kernel panic — not syncing" and the system refuses to start.

What Happened to Me

While updating my Kali Linux to the latest version, I encountered a kernel panic. This has become a common occurrence lately, but don't worry — there are several reliable methods to fix this issue

How I Fixed It — Simple Steps

Step 1: Get Back to an Older, Working Kernel

When the system crashes, it usually means a newly updated kernel is broken. Older kernels often work fine.

What to do:

  1. Force restart your computer (hold the power button or click Stop in VirtualBox)
  2. Turn it back on
  3. Immediately hold the Shift key or you can esc while it's booting up
  4. A menu called GRUB should appear showing different kernel options(advanced options)
  5. Look for an older kernel version in the list
  6. Select it and press Enter
  7. The system should boot successfully with the old kernel

Step 2: Check All Your Kernels

Once you're back in a working system, see which kernels you have installed:

bash

sudo dpkg -l | grep linux-image

This shows you a list like:

  • linux-image-6.12.38 ← Old kernel (working)
  • linux-image-6.16.7 ← Broken
  • linux-image-6.16.8 ← Broken
  • linux-image-6.16.9 ← Broken

The ones causing problems are usually the newest ones.

Step 3: Remove the Broken Kernels

Remove the problematic kernel versions. But BE CAREFUL — only remove the ones you're NOT currently using.

First, check which kernel you're using RIGHT NOW:

bash

uname -r

For example, if it shows 6.12.38, then you're safely using the old kernel. Now you can remove the broken newer ones:

bash

sudo apt remove linux-image-6.16.7+deb14-amd64 linux-image-6.16.9+deb14-amd64

Golden Rule: Never remove the kernel shown by uname -r command.

Step 4: Update the Boot Menu

After removing broken kernels, tell the system to update its boot menu:

bash

sudo update-grub

Step 5: Restart Your Computer

bash

sudo reboot

Let it restart. It should boot smoothly this time without the kernel panic error.

Step 6: Verify It's Fixed

After reboot, check which kernel you're using:

bash

uname -r

If it shows a kernel number and you can use your computer normally — you're fixed! 🎉

Stop Kernel Updates (Optional)

If you want to prevent the system from automatically updating to broken kernels in the future:

bash

sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade --without-new-kernels

This updates everything EXCEPT the kernel.

Free Up Disk Space

If you're running low on storage after this, clean up safely:

bash

sudo apt autoremove sudo apt autoclean sudo apt clean

These commands only remove old temporary files and cache — they won't delete your important data or tools.

Things I Learned

  1. GRUB menu is your savior — Always try to boot into an older kernel when something breaks
  2. Check before you delete — Always use uname -r to see which kernel you're using before removing anything
  3. Update GRUB after changes — This makes sure the system recognizes your changes
  4. Keep backups — Always backup important files before making system changes
  5. Prevent future updates — Once you find a working kernel, prevent it from auto-updating

What If GRUB Menu Doesn't Appear?

If you can't access the GRUB menu (rare but possible):

  • Try pressing Escape instead of Shift
  • Wait longer before pressing keys during startup
  • If nothing works, you may need to create a Linux recovery USB and boot from that

Summary

Kernel panic looks scary, but it's usually fixable by:

  1. Booting into an old kernel from the GRUB menu
  2. Removing the broken new kernels
  3. Updating GRUB
  4. Restarting

Sometimes this method won't work, so you may need to reinstall Kali by backing up the files you need

What If You Can't Boot Into Any Old Kernel?

If the GRUB menu never shows up and you really can't boot anything, then yes — you need to reinstall.

But before you do:

  1. Get a live Linux USB (download Kali or Ubuntu ISO)
  2. Boot from the USB to run Linux from there
  3. Your broken VM's files will still be there — you can access and copy them
  4. Save what you need to an external USB drive
  5. Then do a fresh Kali install
  6. Restore your files after installation

This way you don't completely lose everything.

Going forward, prevent this problem:

  • When updating, use: sudo apt upgrade --without-new-kernels
  • This prevents automatic kernel updates that could break things again
  • Back up your important files regularly

Bottom line: If GRUB recovery doesn't work in 30 minutes, reinstalling is actually the smarter choice. Don't waste 3 hours troubleshooting when you could have a working system in 30 minutes.