installing big sur mac not starting

Note Apple has published a support document for those of you having install/boot issues with 2013-2014 13" MacBook Pros:

If you can’t install macOS Big Sur on certain 13-inch MacBook Pro computers from 2013 and 2014 - Apple Support

The Data volume is separate from the system volume, so unless you erase the disk or have to reformat, your data should be intact. (I won't comment on any lack of backup for a business machine).

If you can get a USB installer or a clone disk with a copy of the Big Sur installer on it, you can boot from that and install again over the existing one, (ie. without any erasing first) and the data volume should stay as is.

Hello,

I had the same problem on my MacBook Pro (Retina, 13', mid 2014) with a Clean installation of Big Sur. But I had a new 512 GB SSD from Samsung which I wanted to install since weeks to get more space. I did this today and could then start the installation of BigSur again. It ran without any problems and I am writing from my freshly installed system.

Greets

I suggest you open a ticket with official Apple support, if you did not do it yet or eplehuset in Norway

didn't do it for you.

[Edited by Moderator]

I spoke to Apple Support this morning and went thru the standard reset/recovery combinations but unsuccessful. My case has been escalated to "Engineering" and was told that I should hear something next Tues/Wed and will share that info. Good luck to everyone!

Mid 2014 MacBook Pro Retina

Same thing happened to me. Macbook Air 11" . Hasswell i5 (2013?)

After trying to update to Big Sur , I left it for several hours on "less than 1 minute remaining", but it did not finish after 6 hours, after powering it off and on, the problem came up.

reset NVRAM, reset SMC, internet recover... doesnt matter the keys you press, the screen just lights up and I hear the "ching" sound, but nothing is ever shown.

My wife's 13" Retina MacBook Pro (late 2013, Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 16 GB RAM) is also stuck at a black/blank* screen during the upgrade from Catalina to Big Sur. The machine can be turned off by holding down the power-button, which makes the screen turn off (i.e. completely black), but when it's turned on again (i.e. pressing the power-button) the screen goes back to being black/blank.

I have tried resetting the SMC and the NVRAM, but this doesn't change anything.

Any bright suggestions?

* No image is displayed, but you can tell that the panel isn't off, as it is when the machine is powered off.

I updated my MacBook Pro and it is now bricked it won’t boot anymore and I have lost thousands of dollars worth of music. Being that I am a Dj this has completely shut down my only source of income until I can purchase a new laptop and try and get all of the music off of my MacBook. This was my back up being that all my accounts are tied to this laptop I have no other way to access all of my music.

Same issue for me..Late 2013 MacBook Pro that was working fine prior to the Big Sur update. Nothing works, no chime, no keystroke combination to reset PRAM or recovery mode will work.

Will try to replace the logic board tomorrow but this is terrible!

i have a MacBook Air 13' and I have the same problem. I'm updating to macOS Big Sur and the screen stops in black and nothing happens. I try to enter em recovery mode, etc and my Mac is still killed. What I have to do? I'm anxious about this

MacBook pro 2013, black screen, try all the advice , reset NVRAM, rest smc, boot in recovery mode, the keyboard seem not responding, support told me to bring the Mac back for Hardware assistant.

Apple shop closed due to covid in Belgium!!!!! blocked cannot work!

thanks

Same on MBP late 2018, after 3 calls to support also sent to repair!? because of a software upgrade!? SSD all non upgradable architecture should translate into reliability, right? I guess not...new silicone sounds great but this issue really makes me skeptical...

Now why couldn't Apple disseminate that wisdom to all these poor folks who have been held over a barrel by 'engineering' solutions? Better, just fix it? Thank you for sharing your solution, t5vag.

Considering Apple invited me to update through Settings, and following my reading their confirmation that my MBP m14 was a suitable candidate, Apple are in no position to extort cash to remedy their problems. Continuing to distribute this update (to me on Dec 1st) is irresponsible and highly disrespectful.

While looking to update our business MBP and iMacs, maybe this (and the previous updates loss of photo data) is the reason to jump back to cheaper, equally powerful, and dare I say reliable and capable hardware'?

Learning-Too wrote:

While looking to update our business MBP and iMacs, maybe this (and the previous updates loss of photo data) is the reason to jump back to cheaper, equally powerful, and dare I say reliable and capable hardware'?

If you can find cheaper, equally powerful hardware that does what you need and are willing to put up with say Windows, feel free to switch, that's what a consumer economy is all about.

Would be great to note as well that the solution path depicted in this support document does not work for everyone.

I suggest you Google for macrumors or reddit discussions to find alternative solution paths if the support document does not solve your issue.