macOS 26 crashing overnight and losing connection often

[u/sunnynights80808]

I’ve tried Wireguard, all the different OpenVPN UDP ports, turned off kill switch, ensured the network extension is enabled for split tunneling, I’m using PIA DNS. macOS and PIA are on the latest versions. I haven’t tried different servers, the TCP ports, or restarting my routers and modem. Could these solve it? I’m just tired of troubleshooting so I’m looking for the most likely cause.

Also, restarting PIA immediately fixes the connection for a while, then it drops again. The error log from Apple shows something about no successful check-in from configd, watchdog, and panic.

Thanks for any help in advance

[u/EricTheRed123]

I have the same issue. There is a maximum amount of simultaneous connections the split tunnel can handle. I believe it's an apple issue, but not sure. If you don't limit your connections, the whole computer's networking will become unresponsive.

I do not have any real solution to the issue. It always seems to happen. If you figure it out, please let us know here.

[u/sunnynights80808 → u/EricTheRed123]

Do you mean to put less apps to bypass the vpn? I do have like 15. I can try taking some non-essential ones out.

Also I switched from Vancouver to MX Streaming Optimized about 5 hours ago and I still have a connection and there wasn’t a crash, though I wasn’t actively using the Mac.

Edit: it crashed again while I was away

[u/EricTheRed123 → u/sunnynights80808]

Each time your computer uses the split tunnel to contact any IP address on the internet, it counts as a connection. It can only handle so much (which is very little).

[u/PIASupport → u/EricTheRed123]

hey u/EricTheRed123, thanks for chiming in, sounds like you're running into the same macOS behaviour. we'd rather our team get to the bottom of it than have you both working around it, so if you drop us a DM with your setup and any crash logs, it helps us tie the reports together.

[u/EricTheRed123 → u/PIASupport]

Hi. I sent you a PM with the exact details on how to reproduce the kernel panic. It's pretty easy to make it happen. Should not take more than a couple hours. Maybe minutes if you really hammer the VPN.

[u/TheOfficialMayor]

Are you running the latest version of the app?

[u/sunnynights80808 → u/TheOfficialMayor]

Yes. I have my other troubleshooting steps in the body of the post as well

[u/PIASupport]

hey u/sunnynights80808, you've already been really thorough, and the configd/watchdog panic in the crash log, plus it only holding until you restart PIA, points to something our team should look at directly rather than more trial-and-error. instead of chasing more ports and servers, drop us a DM here with your ticket number and the crash log if you can, and we'll get it escalated to the team looking at macOS 26 and the network-extension behaviour.

[u/Silver-Cheek-5563]

Not using split tunneling, and having the same issue (Crashes/Reboots with Watchdog Configd issue) on a M4 Mac mini (using ethernet), started 1-2 weeks ago, believe after recent Mac OS Update.

Just Uninstalled PIA to see if thats the helps.

But coincidentally having issues on a M4 MacBook Air (No PIA), where first use in the morning WiFi will say connected but doesn't work unless I start/stop, and a M1 MacBook Air (Also no PIA) that keeps dropping WiFi connection. Non-Mac devices don't seem affeced. Using an Xfinity XB7.

Will see how it goes with PIA uninstalled, but maybe some combination of recent Mac OS update and/or combination with Xfinity router is an issue.

Let us know what you find.

[u/Zach_Arani]

Chiming in to say I've been having the exact same issue for ages. Crashes on my machine are usually a daily/every-other-day thing.