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Unable to launch Apple Diagnostics

I encountered a (recoverable) kernel panic on my MBP this morning when waking my system after upgrading to Mojave from ElCapitan just a few days earlier. In order to figure out if there may be hardware issues I attempted a restart while holding the D key in order to launch Apple Diagnostics. I however was greeted by this error message:


Error: 0x8000000000000003, Cannot Load 'EFI/Drivers/TestSupport.efi'

Status: 0x00000003


I am able to restart and launch OS X - thus the system is operational. But obviously something strange is going on.


Question: IF I create a bootable drive will I be able to launch diagnostics or AHT from there?


Thanks in advance.

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.14

Posted on Apr 6, 2019 2:13 AM

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3 replies
Question marked as Helpful

Jun 15, 2019 8:39 AM in response to HandyMac

“Vintage" ("denoting something of high quality, especially something from the past or characteristic of the best period of a person's work" – New Oxford American Dictionary, included with macOS),


Apple’s definition of vintage:


“Vintage products are those that have not been manufactured for more than 5 and less than 7 years ago. Apple has discontinued hardware service for vintage products with the following exceptions”


The point is that Apple no longer actively supports these unless a repair is necessary and that would depend on the age and/or if parts are still available. There will never be any special “fix” for these unless the exact same problem were found on newer machines.


Rather than spending all this time complaining here, I accept the fact that my 2012 MBP will most likely not be able to run AHT and that is easily fixed by having the Genius Bar run it. Except for having to drive there, it will be quick and done at no charge.

Question marked as Helpful

Apr 9, 2019 9:54 AM in response to BDAqua

I have a 2012 MacBook Pro running High Sierra and have the exact same problem. A few weeks ago I did upgrade it to Mojave but reverted to High Sierra thru Time Machine.


My boot ROM version in System Report is 224.0.0.0.0 .


I have tried every conceivable option for the last couple of days to get either AHT or ASD working. I've tried creating bootable USBs and copying the .diagnostics folder over to the local coreservices folder. I've tried scripts and terminal commands from various sites and absolutely nothing works. I can't boot using a USB or get in by holding down 'D' on boot.


I also cannot run Option-D to load diagnostics over the Internet.


It must be something in the updated EFI firmware that is preventing the running of the diagnostics.


If you can figure out a way to get it working I will be very impressed.

Question marked as Helpful

Apr 6, 2019 1:19 PM in response to BDAqua

Well if I use the Shift key to boot into safe mode then how would I get into AppleDiagnostics? Today I actually created a bootable USB with the AHT for my MBP model per this guide: https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest


The USD had the following contents:



Unfortunately it didn't work either - just runs a bunch of command lines quickly after booting and then resumes booting into the main drive.


Then - per the same guide - I copied the .diagnostics directory into my /System/Library/CoreServices/ directory. Rebooted holding D key and got the very same error message that it wasn't able to find TestSupport.efi - which clearly is in the right place and in the right folder now.


It's really strange... not sure what to do here...

222 replies
Question marked as Helpful

Apr 6, 2019 1:19 PM in response to BDAqua

Well if I use the Shift key to boot into safe mode then how would I get into AppleDiagnostics? Today I actually created a bootable USB with the AHT for my MBP model per this guide: https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest


The USD had the following contents:



Unfortunately it didn't work either - just runs a bunch of command lines quickly after booting and then resumes booting into the main drive.


Then - per the same guide - I copied the .diagnostics directory into my /System/Library/CoreServices/ directory. Rebooted holding D key and got the very same error message that it wasn't able to find TestSupport.efi - which clearly is in the right place and in the right folder now.


It's really strange... not sure what to do here...

Question marked as Helpful

Apr 9, 2019 9:54 AM in response to BDAqua

I have a 2012 MacBook Pro running High Sierra and have the exact same problem. A few weeks ago I did upgrade it to Mojave but reverted to High Sierra thru Time Machine.


My boot ROM version in System Report is 224.0.0.0.0 .


I have tried every conceivable option for the last couple of days to get either AHT or ASD working. I've tried creating bootable USBs and copying the .diagnostics folder over to the local coreservices folder. I've tried scripts and terminal commands from various sites and absolutely nothing works. I can't boot using a USB or get in by holding down 'D' on boot.


I also cannot run Option-D to load diagnostics over the Internet.


It must be something in the updated EFI firmware that is preventing the running of the diagnostics.


If you can figure out a way to get it working I will be very impressed.

Apr 9, 2019 10:00 AM in response to mmehrle


What happens when you reboot holding the option D key? Anything?

It can take quite awhile for this to load up.



If you need help you can post the kernels panics here in the "Additional Text" box




Also In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment


Make an appointment hardware issue—

https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/


Apr 9, 2019 1:15 PM in response to ghunarsdad

That is too funny - two people with the same problem and (almost) the same setup battling the same problem at almost the same time :-)


Unfortunately I have not been able to solve this problem and after two days of banging my head against this wall came to the same conclusion: there's something in the boot process that prevents the proper files to be loaded. I did set the right permission/ownership - I blessed the folder - everything is located where it should be but AHT fails.


FWIW - I love my old MBP as it was top of the line (750GB SSD and 16GB of RAM) when I bought it. I love all my ports that I use on a regular basis and which are now missing on those new fangled 'naked' MacBooks. Plus it drives my gorgeous 32'' Apple Cinema display that is incompatible with newer MacBooks.


Which is why I am fighting tooth/nails to keep it running. Fortunately the system is still humming along nicely with no apparent hardware degradation but if there are parts that are getting old and are about to break then I want to know beforehand so I can get them fixed while they are still available.


Perhaps an Apple systems engineer will have mercy with us and shed some light on this issue.

Apr 9, 2019 9:43 PM in response to leroydouglas

My 2012 iMac running Mojave 10.14.4 does not boot to diagnostics with only the D key, just a white screen. Option D gives me the Error: 0x8000000000000003, Cannot Load 'EFI/Drivers/TestSupport.efi'

Status: 0x00000003


I have even done an erase and reinstall, an Apple Senior Advisor said it was a firmware issue and that a erase and reinstall would fix the issue, but it did not. Prior to contacting apple I did all the troubleshooting possible. I am considering requesting that engineering take a look at this. I have seen on other sites that it could be the memory/RAM about to fail, but before going in for a repair (it's vintage, I know, I would have to go to a 3rd party, and I do have one) I just want to confirm that is really what is going on.


Any other ideas?

Apr 9, 2019 9:56 PM in response to zacharythane






zacharythane wrote:

My 2012 iMac running Mojave 10.14.4 does not boot to diagnostics with only the D key, just a white screen. Option D gives me the Error: 0x8000000000000003, Cannot Load 'EFI/Drivers/TestSupport.efi'
Status: 0x00000003

Any other ideas?



I already posted my other ideas above.


Personally I would not beat my head against the wall, the AHT is not definitive and it may or may not kick out an error code concerning your issue.



I will add —


You can post your Kernel Panic report in their entirety here, preferable three separate reports in three separate Additional Text box (below) for ease of reading.  A single report may be useful but does not establish a trend for a meaningful diagnosis.


Kernel Panic reports can be found /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports


From the Finder>Go>Go To Folder, copy and paste:

/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports


should say panic in the file name.


If your Mac spontaneously restarts or displays a ... - Apple Support

Unable to launch Apple Diagnostics

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