MacBook Pro 16” - Unable to boot

[JackTwist]

After all auto-install of the newest MacOS update last night, I started my computer from sleep this morning to find the fans suddenly spike and the computer turn off. It will not boot beyond the Apple logo. Through support, I attempted to perform a SMC reset, PRAM reset, and boot in recovery mode. The computer will not proceed beyond this screen. The earliest appointment with the Apple Store is late Friday afternoon. I’m a video editor with a deadline and unfortunately this project Im working on hadn’t yet been backed up (my fault, I know). I blame my tiny desk at home due to COVID.

I‘ve also tried target disc mode with a friend’s MacBook Pro but it won’t boot into this mode either. Same with verbose mode. At one point, it went into a boot loop with a “Your computer restarted“ message, followed by the circle with a line through it.

 

[chrfr]

After all auto-install of the newest MacOS update last night, I started my computer from sleep this morning to find the fans suddenly spike and the computer turn off. It will not boot beyond the Apple logo. Through support, I attempted to perform a SMC reset, PRAM reset, and boot in recovery mode. The computer will not proceed beyond this screen. The earliest appointment with the Apple Store is late Friday afternoon. I’m a video editor with a deadline and unfortunately this project Im working on hadn’t yet been backed up (my fault, I know). I blame my tiny desk at home due to COVID.

I‘ve also tried target disc mode with a friend’s MacBook Pro but it won’t boot into this mode either. Same with verbose mode. At one point, it went into a boot loop with a “Your computer restarted“ message, followed by the circle with a line through it.

If you have access to another Mac, you can try this process: https://support.apple.com/guide/app...r-restore-an-intel-based-mac-apdebea5be51/mac
The problem is that there's not likely anything you can do which will revive the computer and still allow you to recover your files.

 

[JackTwist]

If you have access to another Mac, you can try this process: https://support.apple.com/guide/app...r-restore-an-intel-based-mac-apdebea5be51/mac
The problem is that there's not likely anything you can do which will revive the computer and still allow you to recover your files.

I appreciate the assistance. This did not resolve. Thankfully I had exported a previous cut of the project and was able take the rearrange some shots and redo some audio to still deliver a product via a friend’s Windows laptop. Sad that all of that footage may be gone. Again, my own fault. The one time I didn’t obsessively backup a project.

I totally jinxed myself. I was just raving two days ago about how amazing this computer was and how I’d had no issues. And what do I get? The mother of all problems... at least for me.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"The earliest appointment with the Apple Store is late Friday afternoon. I’m a video editor with a deadline and unfortunately this project Im working on hadn’t yet been backed up..."

My advice:
Wait out the time and take it to them.
In the meantime, don't fool with it.
With their help, you might "get the project back".
But I wouldn't be overly optimistic.

You aren't the first one who's had a MBP become "non-bootable" after a failed OS upgrade. It seems to be "an increasing problem" as of late...

 

[IceStormNG]

Does it boot fine into safe boot?

I already know of several 16" MBPs that where the AMD GPU fried and therefore it will always kernel panic during boot. Safe mode (Hold shift during boot) worked though because the dGPU driver isn't loaded there (recovery didn't for whatever reason).

If recovery and also target disk mode doesn't work, but the machine itself turns on, it is likely to be a hardware issue.

If safe mode works, you might be able to at least do a backup. Other solution: Set the 16" into target disk mode and connect it to another working machine so you can copy data off it.

 

[JackTwist]

Does it boot fine into safe boot?

I already know of several 16" MBPs that where the AMD GPU fried and therefore it will always kernel panic during boot. Safe mode (Hold shift during boot) worked though because the dGPU driver isn't loaded there (recovery didn't for whatever reason).

If recovery and also target disk mode doesn't work, but the machine itself turns on, it is likely to be a hardware issue.

If safe mode works, you might be able to at least do a backup. Other solution: Set the 16" into target disk mode and connect it to another working machine so you can copy data off it.

I appreciate the information. Unfortunately, it won’t boot into safe or target disk mode. It only gets as far as the Apple logo. Sometimes it is only a black screen.

 

[ZhihuiCen]

It is most likely a GPU corruption in the CPU. When I enter the safe mode, I input //sudo pmset-a GPUSwitch 1// in the terminal and it can start normally. If I use IGPU, my Mac will freeze at 30% of the progress bar and get stuck with infinite restarts and kernel panic.

And my warranty has expired. So I had to pay to have the motherboard replaced.

btw I did revive bridge OS but it not working.

 

[IceStormNG]

It is most likely a GPU corruption in the CPU. When I enter the safe mode, I input //sudo pmset-a GPUSwitch 1// in the terminal and it can start normally. If I use IGPU, my Mac will freeze at 30% of the progress bar and get stuck with infinite restarts and kernel panic.

And the warranty has expired. So I had to pay to have the motherboard replaced ;(

Ouch... Almost everyone I know with a 16" MBP had the AMD GPU to fail after about 1 year. My one will be that age in a few months... I have the bad feeling that my one will also do this.

 

[chrfr]

Ouch... Almost everyone I know with a 16" MBP had the AMD GPU to fail after about 1 year. My one will be that age in a few months... I have the bad feeling that my one will also do this.

If GPU failures were widespread on the 16" MBP, that would be all over these forums. It's just not a widespread issue. I've been using one daily since November 2019 without any problems.

 

[ZhihuiCen]

If GPU failures were widespread on the 16" MBP, that would be all over these forums. It's just not a widespread issue. I've been using one daily since November 2019 without any problems.

Yea, I believe this problem is only present in the early MBP 16". Most of the MBP 16" produced in 2020 has few problems with GPU panic.

 

[Mac... nificent]

I appreciate the information. Unfortunately, it won’t boot into safe or target disk mode. It only gets as far as the Apple logo. Sometimes it is only a black screen.

Why not use Configurator 2? Try the "Revive" setting first.

You'll need a USB-C charge cable and another Mac to boot from, but it works incredibly well...

 

[chrfr]

Yea, I believe this problem is only present in the early MBP 16". Most of the MBP 16" produced in 2020 has few problems with GPU panic.

They were only sold in November and December 2019, so mine is one of the earliest, but again, there's just not widespread issues with any of them.

 

[TheRealAlex]

After all auto-install of the newest MacOS update last night, I started my computer from sleep this morning to find the fans suddenly spike and the computer turn off. It will not boot beyond the Apple logo. Through support, I attempted to perform a SMC reset, PRAM reset, and boot in recovery mode. The computer will not proceed beyond this screen. The earliest appointment with the Apple Store is late Friday afternoon. I’m a video editor with a deadline and unfortunately this project Im working on hadn’t yet been backed up (my fault, I know). I blame my tiny desk at home due to COVID.

I‘ve also tried target disc mode with a friend’s MacBook Pro but it won’t boot into this mode either. Same with verbose mode. At one point, it went into a boot loop with a “Your computer restarted“ message, followed by the circle with a line through it.

Same happened after my MBP 16” no AppleCare no damage I had been at the Apple Store for a full diagnostic like a week before I had bought on Launch date 2019 and went out of warranty November 2020. Like a month ago I do a major update. And it goes dead won’t boot. As a one time courtesy Apple Store does a full warranty exchange they determined it was a hardware failure. I have not even opened the Replacement. Sold it for $1800 going towards the new 16” OLED MacBook Pro

 

[posguy99]

You aren't the first one who's had a MBP become "non-bootable" after a failed OS upgrade. It seems to be "an increasing problem" as of late...

"I'm on a deadline, but I went ahead and modified my only production machine because reasons."

It's hard to have sympathy. I do hope the OP gets his machine back, though.