Question

When does a kernel panic occur?

Answer 1

D: When an operating system finds a fatal error that it cannot safely recover from

Step-by-step explanation:

Kernel Panics usually occur when your computer suddenly comes across a problem. And with all internal problems, your computer tries to correct itself and get rid of the problem. While doing so if it finds the problem too great it can get out of hand real quick and basically ends up destroying itself thus resulting in the Kernel Panic error message which is unrepairable and you'll have to get a new computer.

Answer 2

A panic may occur as a result of a hardware failure or a software bug in the operating system.
In many cases, the operating system is capable of continued operation after an error has occurred.
However, the system is in an unstable state and rather than risking security breaches and data corruption, the operating system stops to prevent further damage and facilitate diagnosis of the error and, in usual cases, restart.