MBP saying it cannot find macOS files. Stuck on start.

[nia820]

This morning my 2017 mbp updated went to restart. Then I got this message on the screen. I tried restarting it many times but it's still stuck.

Any ideas on how to fix this other than formatting it?

Also there are no apple stores where I live so it's not an option.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Hold CMD + R on startup, select Reinstall macOS. This won't wipe your data, just reinstall the core OS. Hopefully this should fix the problem.

 

[nia820]

Hold CMD + R on startup, select Reinstall macOS. This won't wipe your data, just reinstall the core OS. Hopefully this should fix the problem.

Thanks! It worked.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
Do you have the App Store setting (system preferences) set so that updates are automatically downloaded and installed?

If so, I would UNcheck the "automatic install" option.
I don't mind being notified that updates are available, but...
I want to install them "manually" -- so I know what's going on.
I don't like updates "installed behind my back".
That can produce unexpected results -- like those you had above.