Apple addresses macOS Big Sur upgrade issues impacting 2013 and 2014 MacBook Pro models

Apple on Thursday published a support document detailing steps users should take if they encounter problems installing macOS Big Sur on certain MacBook Pro models.

According to reports earlier this week, some users are facing issues when installing Big Sur on their 13-inch MacBook Pro from late 2013 or mid 2014.

Specifically, updates in some cases result in a permanent black screen or a screen bearing a circle with a line through it, a problem that does not resolve itself when restarting the machine in Safe Mode. Attempts to use Apple's Internet Recovery tool have also been unsuccessful.

Apple in today's Support Pages document acknowledges the issue and offers a potential workaround.

If an impacted Mac does not start properly, Apple says to:

Press and hold the power button on your Mac for at least 10 seconds, then release. If your Mac is on, it turns off.
Unplug all external devices from your Mac, including any displays and USB accessories, and remove any card inserted in the SDXC card slot. Then turn your Mac on.
If the issue persists, reset the SMC as described for notebook computers with a nonremovable battery.
If the issue persists, reset NVRAM or PRAM.

To reset the SMC, users must simultaneously press the Control and Option keys on the left side of the keyboard, and Shift on the right side of the keyboard for seven seconds, then also depress the power button. Next, users hold all four keys for another seven seconds, release them, and press the power button to turn on their Mac.

Resetting NVRAM and PRAM requires users to shut down their machine, hold Option, Command, P, and R until the Apple logo appears and disappears twice, or about 20 seconds.

Apple instructs MacBook owners to contact Apple Support if the above techniques do not work. The company adds that the Support Pages document will be updated when it has a more comprehensive solution.

Big Sur saw release last week, but the launch was quickly marred by installation, app runtime and cascading server issues.

16 Comments

ClassicGeek 8 Years · 25 comments

About 4 years ago

That’s not the correct way to reset SMC for the specified models. What you have described is the method for MacBooks with the T2 security chip.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

5 Likes · 0 Dislikes

fred1 12 Years · 1158 comments

About 4 years ago

I’m glad to know about this fix, but it doesn’t look easy to do. And of course the scary part is: “

Apple instructs MacBook owners to contact Apple Support if the above techniques do not work.”
I think I’ll wait for a software fix from Apple, even if it takes weeks. Are the new features in Big Sur really worth it?

1 Like · 0 Dislikes

Dontmentionthewar 6 Years · 19 comments

About 4 years ago

fred1 said:

I’m glad to know about this fix, but it doesn’t look easy to do. And of course the scary part is: “Apple instructs MacBook owners to contact Apple Support if the above techniques do not work.”
I think I’ll wait for a software fix from Apple, even if it takes weeks. Are the new features in Big Sur really worth it?

Indeed, I’m also a MacBook Pro late 2013 user and will also wait for the next BS version before installing.
It’s the same thing as with Catalina last year .

bestkeptsecret 14 Years · 4316 comments

About 4 years ago

fred1 said:

I’m glad to know about this fix, but it doesn’t look easy to do. And of course the scary part is: “Apple instructs MacBook owners to contact Apple Support if the above techniques do not work.”
I think I’ll wait for a software fix from Apple, even if it takes weeks. Are the new features in Big Sur really worth it?

I used to update to the latest OS X/ macOS on day 1. However, as I started using my iPhone and iPad more, I didn't find the pressing need to update immediately now. I updated to Catalina a good 2-3 months after it was released. I am holding off Big Sur for a while, till all the teething problems are addressed.

That may all change once I get a new MBP 16" sometime next year, though.

rotateleftbyte 13 Years · 1636 comments

About 4 years ago

bestkeptsecret said:

I used to update to the latest OS X/ macOS on day 1. However, as I started using my iPhone and iPad more, I didn't find the pressing need to update immediately now. I updated to Catalina a good 2-3 months after it was released. I am holding off Big Sur for a while, till all the teething problems are addressed.

That may all change once I get a new MBP 16" sometime next year, though.

Same here but back when I was a Windows user. After one XP update that borked my Dell 8100 and three days rebuilding software on the sodding thing I stopped doing that. What made it worse that I was working in Saudi at the time and the internet was iffy to say the least out in the middle of nowhere. In the end, I drove the 100+ miles into Jeddah and used the internet at a Hotel to D/L everything.

I bought a MBP 16in in August and updated MBP No 2 (2015 15in) to Big Sur earlier this week (full TM backup done first naturally) and so far it is fine but I'll keep the 16in device away from Big Sur until Feb/Mar at the earliest. Can't see the need for widgets on the desktop when 99.99% of the time I have apps open that cover it all or almost all.