I226-V. Sudden crash even with only Spotify running.

[robertovisentin]

Hi,
I’m experiencing an intermittent kernel panic that appears related to the networking stack (mbuf / sockets) while using the onboard Intel I226‑V 2.5GbE controller on a Hackintosh. The issue is not reliably reproducible: it can happen randomly during light usage or when the machine is idle.

In practice it often happens when I step away from the computer for a few minutes, sometimes with only Spotify running in the background (music streaming), or with a few Chrome tabs open (static pages, no video). Similar reports exist where Spotify/network activity can trigger kernel panics due to interactions with the OS networking/firewall path.

Environment
macOS version: 25D125
Kernel: Darwin 25.3.0 RELEASE_X86_64 (xnu-12377.81.4~5)
SMBIOS: MacPro7,1
Bootloader: OpenCore 1.0.6
Ethernet NIC: Intel I226‑V (integrated)
Ethernet kext: AppleIGC.kext (configured in Kernel -> Add, my config comment: V1.7d3)
Boot args: agdpmod=pikera e1000=0
Kernel quirks note: DisableIoMapper = true

I hope this report helps, if not just tell me what to do:
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff8006f96d3c): assertion failed: m->m_flags & M_PKTHDR, file: /AppleInternal/Library/BuildRoots/4~CHzgugCOlT9znrMlkKFeugtAsB0RAP0JuOEo5-U/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/xnu/bsd/kern/uipc_mbuf.c, line: 4839 @uipc_socket.c:8238
Panicked task 0xffffff994faf7620: 316 threads: pid 0: kernel_task
Backtrace (CPU 0), panicked thread: 0xffffff94825f3b30, Frame : Return Address
0xffffffc9947e39b0 : 0xffffff8006757161
0xffffffc9947e3a00 : 0xffffff80068d3b86
0xffffffc9947e3a40 : 0xffffff80068c2d8c
0xffffffc9947e3b00 : 0xffffff80066eb971
0xffffffc9947e3b20 : 0xffffff8006757537
0xffffffc9947e3c20 : 0xffffff8006756ba9
0xffffffc9947e3d90 : 0xffffff8006f8bfed
0xffffffc9947e3e80 : 0xffffff8006f96d3c
0xffffffc9947e3e90 : 0xffffff80069dd8a9
0xffffffc9947e3f50 : 0xffffff80069ddb66
0xffffffc9947e3fa0 : 0xffffff80066eb19e

The rest of the hack is pretty stable.

Thanks,

[SongXiaoXi]

Could you try the newly released v1.8 and see whether it fixes the problem for you?

Thanks

[robertovisentin]

Absolutely! Trying right now! Thanks!

[robertovisentin]

Could you try the newly released v1.8 and see whether it fixes the problem for you?

Thanks

Hey, after a couple of weeks of using it, it looks like it's stable. Fingers crossed. I'll leet you know in case of issues, thanks!

[robertovisentin]

Unforutunately brand new crash.
I hope this help.
Here's the log:

panic(cpu 15 caller 0xffffff8001396d3c): assertion failed: m->m_flags & M_PKTHDR, file: /AppleInternal/Library/BuildRoots/4~CHzgugCOlT9znrMlkKFeugtAsB0RAP0JuOEo5-U/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/xnu/bsd/kern/uipc_mbuf.c, line: 4839 @uipc_socket.c:8238
Panicked task 0xffffff9126901f00: 319 threads: pid 0: kernel_task
Backtrace (CPU 15), panicked thread: 0xffffff95f4141598, Frame : Return Address
0xfffffffc007779b0 : 0xffffff8000b57161
0xfffffffc00777a00 : 0xffffff8000cd3b86
0xfffffffc00777a40 : 0xffffff8000cc2d8c
0xfffffffc00777b00 : 0xffffff8000aeb971
0xfffffffc00777b20 : 0xffffff8000b57537
0xfffffffc00777c20 : 0xffffff8000b56ba9
0xfffffffc00777d90 : 0xffffff800138bfed
0xfffffffc00777e80 : 0xffffff8001396d3c
0xfffffffc00777e90 : 0xffffff8000ddd8a9
0xfffffffc00777f50 : 0xffffff8000dddb66
0xfffffffc00777fa0 : 0xffffff8000aeb19e

Process name corresponding to current thread (0xffffff95f4141598): kernel_task
Boot args: agdpmod=pikera

Mac OS version:
25D125

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 25.3.0: Wed Jan 28 20:53:14 PST 2026; root:xnu-12377.81.4~5/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: 989FDD9F-41D3-365E-990C-9626CD1C3779
roots installed: 0
KernelCache slide: 0x0000000000800000
KernelCache base: 0xffffff8000a00000
Kernel slide: 0x00000000008e8000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff8000ae8000
__HIB text base: 0xffffff8000900000
System model name: MacPro7,1 (Mac-27AD2F918AE68F61)
System shutdown begun: NO
Panic diags file available: YES (0x0)
Hibernation exit count: 0

System uptime in nanoseconds: 2206813269816
Last Sleep: absolute base_tsc base_nano
Uptime : 0x00000201d0523db5
Sleep : 0x0000000000000000 0x0000000000000000 0x0000000000000000
Wake : 0x0000000000000000 0x0000000e62f0aa22 0x0000000000000000
Compressor Info: 0% of compressed pages limit (OK) and 0% of segments limit (OK) with 0 swapfiles and OK swap space
Zone info:
Zone map: 0xffffff8126946000 - 0xffffffa126946000
. VM : 0xffffff8126946000 - 0xffffff85f3612000
. RO : 0xffffff85f3612000 - 0xffffff878cfb6000
. GEN0 : 0xffffff878cfb6000 - 0xffffff8c59c82000
. GEN1 : 0xffffff8c59c82000 - 0xffffff912694e000
. GEN2 : 0xffffff912694e000 - 0xffffff95f361a000
. GEN3 : 0xffffff95f361a000 - 0xffffff9ac02e6000
. DATA : 0xffffff9ac02e6000 - 0xffffffa126946000
Metadata: 0xffffffdcaddd1000 - 0xffffffdccddd1000
Bitmaps : 0xffffffdccddd1000 - 0xffffffdcd3dd1000
Extra : 0 - 0

[robertovisentin]

panic(cpu 2 caller 0xffffff8019396d3c): assertion failed: m->m_flags & M_PKTHDR, file: /AppleInternal/Library/BuildRoots/4~CHzgugCOlT9znrMlkKFeugtAsB0RAP0JuOEo5-U/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/xnu/bsd/kern/uipc_mbuf.c, line: 4839 @uipc_socket.c:8238
Panicked task 0xffffff99fa198b70: 317 threads: pid 0: kernel_task
Backtrace (CPU 2), panicked thread: 0xffffff8b9467a598, Frame : Return Address
0xfffffffbe000f9b0 : 0xffffff8018b57161
0xfffffffbe000fa00 : 0xffffff8018cd3b86
0xfffffffbe000fa40 : 0xffffff8018cc2d8c
0xfffffffbe000fb00 : 0xffffff8018aeb971
0xfffffffbe000fb20 : 0xffffff8018b57537
0xfffffffbe000fc20 : 0xffffff8018b56ba9
0xfffffffbe000fd90 : 0xffffff801938bfed
0xfffffffbe000fe80 : 0xffffff8019396d3c
0xfffffffbe000fe90 : 0xffffff8018ddd8a9
0xfffffffbe000ff50 : 0xffffff8018dddb66
0xfffffffbe000ffa0 : 0xffffff8018aeb19e

Process name corresponding to current thread (0xffffff8b9467a598): kernel_task
Boot args: agdpmod=pikera

Mac OS version:
25D125

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 25.3.0: Wed Jan 28 20:53:14 PST 2026; root:xnu-12377.81.4~5/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: 989FDD9F-41D3-365E-990C-9626CD1C3779
roots installed: 0
KernelCache slide: 0x0000000018800000
KernelCache base: 0xffffff8018a00000
Kernel slide: 0x00000000188e8000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff8018ae8000
__HIB text base: 0xffffff8018900000
System model name: MacPro7,1 (Mac-27AD2F918AE68F61)
System shutdown begun: NO
Panic diags file available: YES (0x0)
Hibernation exit count: 0

System uptime in nanoseconds: 5952359961590
Last Sleep: absolute base_tsc base_nano
Uptime : 0x00000569e44d15b2
Sleep : 0x0000000000000000 0x0000000000000000 0x0000000000000000
Wake : 0x0000000000000000 0x0000000e468b88da 0x0000000000000000
Compressor Info: 0% of compressed pages limit (OK) and 0% of segments limit (OK) with 0 swapfiles and OK swap space
Zone info:
Zone map: 0xffffff8060874000 - 0xffffffa060874000
. VM : 0xffffff8060874000 - 0xffffff852d540000
. RO : 0xffffff852d540000 - 0xffffff86c6ee4000
. GEN0 : 0xffffff86c6ee4000 - 0xffffff8b93bb0000
. GEN1 : 0xffffff8b93bb0000 - 0xffffff906087c000
. GEN2 : 0xffffff906087c000 - 0xffffff952d548000
. GEN3 : 0xffffff952d548000 - 0xffffff99fa214000
. DATA : 0xffffff99fa214000 - 0xffffffa060874000
Metadata: 0xffffffa060884000 - 0xffffffa080884000
Bitmaps : 0xffffffa080884000 - 0xffffffa086884000
Extra : 0 - 0

[SongXiaoXi]

Hi, @robertovisentin. Could you try the temporary build below and let me know whether you still hit this kernel panic?

If it still happens, please attach the new panic log as well.

AppleIGC.kext.zip

[robertovisentin]

First crash today!
panic(cpu 4 caller 0xffffff801e196d3c): assertion failed: m->m_flags & M_PKTHDR, file: /AppleInternal/Library/BuildRoots/4~CHzgugCOlT9znrMlkKFeugtAsB0RAP0JuOEo5-U/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/xnu/bsd/kern/uipc_mbuf.c, line: 4839 @uipc_socket.c:8238
Panicked task 0xffffff9530818b70: 316 threads: pid 0: kernel_task
Backtrace (CPU 4), panicked thread: 0xffffff95302c8598, Frame : Return Address
0xffffffb292e979b0 : 0xffffff801d957161
0xffffffb292e97a00 : 0xffffff801dad3b86
0xffffffb292e97a40 : 0xffffff801dac2d8c
0xffffffb292e97b00 : 0xffffff801d8eb971
0xffffffb292e97b20 : 0xffffff801d957537
0xffffffb292e97c20 : 0xffffff801d956ba9
0xffffffb292e97d90 : 0xffffff801e18bfed
0xffffffb292e97e80 : 0xffffff801e196d3c
0xffffffb292e97e90 : 0xffffff801dbdd8a9
0xffffffb292e97f50 : 0xffffff801dbddb66
0xffffffb292e97fa0 : 0xffffff801d8eb19e

Process name corresponding to current thread (0xffffff95302c8598): kernel_task
Boot args: agdpmod=pikera

Mac OS version:
25D125

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 25.3.0: Wed Jan 28 20:53:14 PST 2026; root:xnu-12377.81.4~5/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: 989FDD9F-41D3-365E-990C-9626CD1C3779
roots installed: 0
KernelCache slide: 0x000000001d600000
KernelCache base: 0xffffff801d800000
Kernel slide: 0x000000001d6e8000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff801d8e8000
__HIB text base: 0xffffff801d700000
System model name: MacPro7,1 (Mac-27AD2F918AE68F61)
System shutdown begun: NO
Panic diags file available: YES (0x0)
Hibernation exit count: 0

System uptime in nanoseconds: 8715859478088
Last Sleep: absolute base_tsc base_nano
Uptime : 0x000007ed51b54807
Sleep : 0x0000000000000000 0x0000000000000000 0x0000000000000000
Wake : 0x0000000000000000 0x0000000e3b6684f5 0x0000000000000000
Compressor Info: 0% of compressed pages limit (OK) and 0% of segments limit (OK) with 0 swapfiles and OK swap space
Zone info:
Zone map: 0xffffff8063ac0000 - 0xffffffa063ac0000
. VM : 0xffffff8063ac0000 - 0xffffff853078c000
. RO : 0xffffff853078c000 - 0xffffff86ca130000
. GEN0 : 0xffffff86ca130000 - 0xffffff8b96dfc000
. GEN1 : 0xffffff8b96dfc000 - 0xffffff9063ac8000
. GEN2 : 0xffffff9063ac8000 - 0xffffff9530794000
. GEN3 : 0xffffff9530794000 - 0xffffff99fd460000
. DATA : 0xffffff99fd460000 - 0xffffffa063ac0000
Metadata: 0xffffffd5cfd46000 - 0xffffffd5efd46000
Bitmaps : 0xffffffd5efd46000 - 0xffffffd5f5d46000
Extra : 0 - 0

[SongXiaoXi]

@robertovisentin Thanks for testing and for the update.

I have made another temporary build here. If you have some time, could you please give it a try and see whether the kernel panic still happens?

Also, @adriandleon, if you have time, it would be helpful if you could try this build as well, since #35 may be related or at least very similar.

Thanks again.

AppleIGC.kext.zip

[adriandleon]

Hi @SongXiaoXi, tested the new build from your comment — unfortunately the kernel panic still occurs on our system.

Environment

• CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K
• Motherboard: Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro
• NIC: Intel I225-V (onboard)
• macOS: 26.4 (Build 25E246) — macOS Tahoe
• Kernel: Darwin 25.4.0 xnu-12377.101.15~1/RELEASE_X86_64
• SMBIOS: MacPro7,1
• Bootloader: OpenCore
• VT-d: Enabled in BIOS
• OpenCore quirks: DisableIoMapper=true, DisableIoMapperMapping=true
• Boot args at time of panic: alcid=12 -wegnoigpu igc-no-tso brcmfx-country=#a

Panic (occurred ~35 minutes after boot)

panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff8008bacb5c): assertion failed: m->m_flags & M_PKTHDR, file: /AppleInternal/Library/BuildRoots/4~CLdaugCir97W5Q70y4I-I04Ml2sNiYmpdkLXFbw/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/TemporaryDirectory.Wpi5BT/Sources/xnu/bsd/kern/uipc_mbuf.c, line: 4839 @uipc_socket.c:8256
Panicked task 0xffffff8bee38b620: 314 threads: pid 0: kernel_task
Backtrace (CPU 0), panicked thread: 0xffffff9a53ffb520, Frame : Return Address
0xffffffc1dc23b9c0 : 0xffffff8008358c21
0xffffffc1dc23ba10 : 0xffffff80084e4662
0xffffffc1dc23ba50 : 0xffffff80084d3a28
0xffffffc1dc23bb10 : 0xffffff80082eb971
0xffffffc1dc23bb30 : 0xffffff8008358ff7
0xffffffc1dc23bc30 : 0xffffff8008358689
0xffffffc1dc23bda0 : 0xffffff8008b9d64d
0xffffffc1dc23be90 : 0xffffff8008bacb5c
0xffffffc1dc23bea0 : 0xffffff80085ef957
0xffffffc1dc23bf50 : 0xffffff80085efc96
0xffffffc1dc23bfa0 : 0xffffff80082eb19e

System uptime in nanoseconds: 2110364638189

The panic signature is identical to the one reported in #35. The uipc_socket.c line number changed from 8238 (Sequoia/Tahoe 25.3) to 8256 (Tahoe 25.4), which tracks with the xnu version bump, but the root assertion is the same.

Is there anything specific we can capture (e.g. additional logging, log show output around the panic time, ioreg dumps) that would help narrow down the DMA path triggering the bad mbuf? Happy to run diagnostics before the next crash if you can point us at what to collect.

Thanks again for the continued work on this.

[robertovisentin]

Yes sir!

[SongXiaoXi]

@adriandleon Thanks for testing again, and sorry that it still panicked.

I have prepared another temporary build here.

This one changes the RX page handling to copy the packet data and then free the original page instead of reusing it. I also added a lot more debug logging around this path, so if the problem still happens, it should give me much better information about where things are going wrong.

If you hit another panic, could you please run the following command after reboot and attach the output here?

sudo log show --last 15m --style compact --predicate 'eventMessage CONTAINS[c] "igc:"'

Thank you again for taking the time to test these builds.

AppleIGC.kext.zip

[adriandleon]

Hi @SongXiaoXi, thank you so much for continuing to work on this — I really appreciate your effort and dedication to fixing this driver.

I've been testing v1.9d2 and is noticeably more stable, so the RX page copy change is clearly having a positive effect.

However, it still panics with the same assertion:
assertion failed: m->m_flags & M_PKTHDR, file: uipc_mbuf.c, line: 4839 @uipc_socket.c:8256

I've had two crashes with v1.9d2: one at ~60 min uptime and one at ~36 min uptime.

As requested, I ran the igc log command after each reboot — both times returned empty output:

sudo log show --last 15m --style compact --predicate 'eventMessage CONTAINS[c] "igc:"'
(no output)

This suggests the panic is happening on a code path that the new debug logging in v1.9d2 does not instrument.

Let me know if there's any additional diagnostic info I can provide.

[SongXiaoXi]

@adriandleon Thanks for testing again.

It is possible that the previous diagnostics did not get triggered before the panic, so the earlier logs may not have captured enough information.

Please try this build. It includes additional diagnostics around packet transmit/receive handling and queue cleanup so we can capture more state before the panic.

Because the issue is only visible after the machine reboots, please collect the logs as soon as possible after the system comes back up.

After reboot, please run:

sudo log show --last 6h --style compact --predicate 'subsystem == "com.sxx.AppleIGC"'

or

sudo log show --last 6h --style compact | grep -i "igc:"

and attach the output here.

Also, if possible, could you share a bit more information about your network setup and the conditions where the panic is more likely to happen?

For example:

• link speed in use (1 GbE / 2.5 GbE)
• whether the interface is mainly using IPv4 or IPv6
• the main type of traffic when it happens (browsing, large downloads, local transfers, etc.)
• whether tools such as iperf3 or Speedtest make it happen more reliably
• any unusual network configuration such as VLANs, jumbo frames, bridge mode, VPN, or special firewall/filtering setup

That would help a lot when correlating the new diagnostics with the workload and link configuration.

AppleIGC.kext.zip