Need suggestions as to what could cause a sigkill (aka killl 9) fault

[RadioFlyer]

The iMac is a 21 inch 2017 model with 16 Gb of RAM running macOS 11.3.1

The computer screen will go dark and when it comes back on it's at the login screen and the computer never fully shuts off. The event happens randomly with no notice and during the operation of various programs ... nothing consistent. I've checked the error logs and can find no hint of what could cause the sigkill error.

 

[chscag]

The description you gave sounds like it could be kernel panicing. Although with a kernel panic you do get a warning screen which looks like this:


The panic could be happening very quickly and then returns you to the log on screen after a reboot. Sometimes you will not get the warning screen.

Try using the "console app" from Applications, Utilities to open your library logs. That may or may not show something. Let us know.

 

[ferrarr]

You can install EtreCheck, and see if helps sort out your issue?

EtreCheck

etrecheck.com

 

[RadioFlyer]

Thanks @chscag. When you mentioned kernel panic that gave me an idea I should check to see what programs were active and what could be the issue. It is my wife's iMac and she had way too many programs running and her desktop was littered with files. The console app no longer can find the error messages ... it seems to retain only the current day's error messages.

There have not been any sigkill errors since she cleaned up her act. I'm not saying this is the solution but it appears the problem has gone away.

@ferrarr I will try the EtreCheck program and see if it provides any additional clues to what's going on.

 

[RadioFlyer]

I ran EtreCheck and it found no problem that could cause the problem we had with her iMac. Thanks again for your help and advice.