Chris1d ago

Is there an issue in the raspberry pi 32bit kernal? Everytime I run `sudo apt upgrade` from a freshly flashed sd on my pi zero w rev 1.1 the whole system nukes itself with a `unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference`. Just insta restarts.

Its either kernel or corrupt sd right?

#raspi #RaspberryPi

Show threadChris
Wow! Now its not even restarting! It gets stuck on the rainbow splash screen you see right at powerup :(
Jun 15 at 2:53pmWeb
Show threadChris1d ago
Looks like the kernel panic happens during the update seuqence. I dont see any ext4-fs error, I/O error, buffer I/O error or unable to read inode issues before the panic!
Show threadChris1d ago

On fresh flash & boot:
```
Unable to handle kernel paging request at virtual address ...
Internal error: Oops
CPU: 0 PID: 0 (swapper/0)

Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!
```

The kernel crashed while running CPU idle thread (PID 0)
6.12.75+rpt-rpi-v8
vc4
bcm2835_v4l2
bcm2835_codec

#RaspberryPi

Show threadChris1d ago

Previous error, during update:
```
Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference
Internal error: Oops
CPU: 0 PID: 0 Comm: swapper/0
Tainted: G C O
PC is at default_idle_call+...
Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task
```
update-initramfs ...
boot/firmware/initramfs...

bcm2835_codec
bcm2835_v4l2
vc4

#RaspberryPi

Show threadDeManiak 🇿🇦1d ago

@flipsideza ... not sure, but isn't 32bit support being dropped left right front and center?

does and older version work?

Show threadDeManiak 🇿🇦1d ago

@flipsideza also, if booting from SDCard...well, it could be the SDCard is kaput.

Maybe try a new freshly flashed sdcard.

Show threadChris1d ago

@kaasbaas so yes that was my 1st thought but the 32bit release is from 2026-04 so pretty recent... and clearly still supported coz the update was updating the kernel

I did check the sdcard in another machine, no errors reported and I ran a bunch of tests 🤔

Show threadDeManiak 🇿🇦1d ago

@flipsideza SDCards can be tricky bastards, with a plethora of "interesting" failure modes - I would get a new SDCard as a next step.

(I have,over the years, developed a DEEP suspicion, and more than a little hate for SDCards, so I am a bit biased. still, I have had WEIRD issues just...go away when moved to new sdcard).

Show threadChris1d ago
@kaasbaas yeah you're probably right! will go get one tomorrow maybe 🤞
Show threadDeManiak 🇿🇦1d ago

@flipsideza good luck!

and if that does not work...do try older distro version,without auto update during initial boot (if that is possible, been a while).

if that still fails,you can maybe try dietpi, just to see if it boots.

if THAT fails...I would start to suspect hardware.

Again...good luck!