MacBook Pro bricked after failed Big Sur update 😵 ⚰️

Just for info sharing, it was reported that unplugging the IO board (the one with the SD-Card, HDMI and USB port) allows Big Sur 11.0.x to further boot an "bricked" MacBook Pro Late 2013 - to finish its Big Sur 11.0.x OS install.

Once done, connecting an USB or Thunderbolt LAN adapter gets the MacBook Pro back connected to the Internet (because the unplugged IO board incl. also WiFi and BT - so not working so far anymore) and then allows Mac OSX Updater to search and update to latest Big Sur 11.1.x (Apple reported to avoid the "brick" issue with).

Once Big Sur 11.1.x update has finished, reconnecting the IO Board, the "brick" issue is solved without any hardware replacement needed.

So, wondering if it ever was/ is a bricked hardware, while this seems (at least for some) that it was/ is just Big Sur 11.0.x stuck the IO Board and therefore from booting, but Big Sur 11.1x update solve it quickly (by getting this installed with the method described above).

May this is helpful info (if not known by Apple Genius Bar Experts) and offers another way to "repair" an "bricked" MacBook Pro Late 2013 (or Mid 2014) by lower costs for the value of the users affected.

Mine needed to get re-soldered I brought it to UBreakIFix they kept it for 3 weeks, might have changed I/O connector?

from their record it was a GPU/Power IC motherboard issue.

The OSX update 11.0.1 fried my laptop and I had no choice but to get it repaired elsewhere.. Apple wanted 830$

these guys charged me 349$ plus taxes.. reasonable yes.. should I have gone through that? no.. Apple didn't vet this properly Mine too was a Mid-2015 MacBook Pro 2.8 Ghz i7 quad core with the integrated iris graphics card not dual graphics card model..

I've turned the page, but I won't forget it..

Final update - after being told by Apple store that I have to pay for the repair, I called Apple support again and got to another senior support engineer. Explained the whole situation again, and mentioned that this upgrade to Big Sur issue is affecting many macbook owners, and some of them were getting help from Apple. After being on hold for at least 15 min the senior support rep told me that they will pay for it and the fact that I left my macbook pro in the Apple store and did not authorize the repair the first time helped and will speed up the process. She called the apple store where my bacbook was and arranged the repair. 5 days later I got my 2015 macbook pro completely fixed - in the repair order it was noted that the logic board, the I/O board and a I/O Coax Cable were replaced.

Thank you Apple for helping me!!!

Same thing happened to 2017 Macbook Pro (2 TB ports) and I took into Apple Care and they're shipping it off to repair. Lady said it's been happening quite often lately so it's definitely something with Big Sur and some volumes or files in it. If you aren't covered by AppleCare, I would still take it in and see what they can do considering it's not your fault the operating system was faulty and they should work with you to find solution.

Do you have an external monitor connected to your MacBook? I had the same issue and discovered it was related to an external monitor (I have Apple's old Thunderbolt display.)

I first re-installed Big Sur via Recovery. It *seemed* to work. But then I restarted. Blank screen. While re-installing, I disconnected all external devices. I thought: what if Big Sur did restart successfully but had a problem displaying the desktop?

I disconnected my monitor. Restarted. It worked.

To verify:

I reconnected my monitor. Restarted. Blank screen.

I disconnected my monitor. Restarted. Works.

I can connect my my monitor *after* a restart, and it seems to work properly.

-Phil

FINAL GENIUS BAR UPDATE

8 days ago I took my mid 2014 MBP to a genius bar as it was showing the symptoms outlined by others here, just a recap

• Boot chime sounds.
• Backlight and apple light on cover come on.
• Completely unresponsive to any recovery commands.
• NVRAM and SMC resets do nothing.
• Recovery USB does not work.

I just picked it up today and IT'S FIXED, the engineer said they had found a workaround to the issue and have downgraded the device to Catalina.

This was free of charge as it was just a software fix, however the laws on repair costs and manufacturer warranties may be different for you (I'm in the UK).

They have advised to avoid Big Sur until it's next release however I will be waiting for a few releases or until apple makes an official statement as to whether it's 100% safe to install.

Hello friends, I may have found the fix you've been looking for *jump to the end for the fix, and keep reading to see my story*

I have a late 2013 MBP 13" Retina. Big Sur completely bricked it, magsafe light would come one, fans would "show signs of life"(per genius bar) and the LCD backlight would activate. Doing all the SMC, PRAM and Command R failed with all attempts by everyone. Here comes the "everyone part"I talked with support via chat, via phone, was escalated to a manager, was setup with a Genius appt and they ended up telling me they could fix it for $470+ US and that "My computer is 7 years old and probably on the way out anyway, and something as an (and I quote) 'as invasive as an OS install' finished it off. I had him repeat that for me. I also heard many times that software cant kill hardware. We know from firmware viruses that is basically half true, + heat can kill hardware. Apple care said they would not override the genius bar store conclusion but we should watch for apple to see if their is a fix coming. I plan on calling the genius bar, and apple care to share the following fix that worked for me.

Turns out your MBP was probably just in a Big Sur induced coma like mine, and everyone thought it was dead...turns out it just needs the right TLC. Ok so hear we go, the fix and process. I would be posting this on that mac right now...but I have to do some password recovery for my apple support email and I'm lazy. Big sur is up and working on my 2013" MBP (i'm on a 2019 now) So I was googling reseting the SMC and PRAM and recovery mode again when I stumbled upon this gem about getting into the bios.

The Problem, Big Sur buggered your MBP bios.

However your milage may very as I attempted everything in the book before this. I will list them below in case you want to repeat my entire process.

First I drained the battery, cuz someone had some luck with that, I plugged in power and accidentally unplugged and the out of power light showed on the screen. HA it has battery awareness life!

Attempt to reset SMC half a dozen times, then end up holding option shift (maybe control too) and power and watch the machine quickly turn off once hitting power (this gave me hope). I kept trying Command R every time on the restart but no joy. Then I saw the following below some of the google reset results (and this fixed it)

"How do I flash my MacBook pro bios?"

To access your MacBook's Open Firmware, you must first shut off your computer. Then turn it back on, holding down the “Command,” “Option,” “0” and “F” keys simultaneously as the machine boots to access the Open Firmware interface.

(plug in to power if you drained the battery, you don't want it to die during this)

1. To start with, make sure the machine is off.
2. Hold Command + Option + Zero + F at same time then turn on power (ask a friend or like me perhaps stretch your pinky finger or something press power. Remember keep holding these keys for a time.

2a. If you get REALLY lucky like me the The apple logo appears and the process bar start moving.

2b. If not keep trying the above sequences of clearing SMC then trying this. I really think this may bring your vegetable brained mac to life again. Sending you lots of positive vibes and hope for you (Don't despair)

3...Let go (of the keys), leave it to do it's thing with the laptop screen up and put on a show. 10-15 minutes later after what looked like and endless cycle of restarts with the apple logo and status bar at various stages, the login screen with the Big Sur wallpaper showed up.

3a. It walked me through all the accessibility options and here we are.

If this works for you please post and let me know.

If you are in management for apple...I can really use a well paying job right now.

Hello guys

I was reporting few weeks back my personal experience with the Genius Bar Apple Store in Düsseldorf, Germany. After being kicked-out because I asked how to escalate the BigSur bricking MacBook Pro 2013/2014 problem, I called again the Apple Support Hotline.

After 2 hours of discussion with different managers I got a new appointment to Apple Genius Bar Düsseldorf with a case number which the guys from Apple Support can directly track.

One day later - I got a call from the Genius Bar inviting me to return with my MacBook Pro and get it fixed without charge: they were suppose to change the I/O Board. In less than 24h I got my laptop repaired.

My suggestion to you guys is to talk to Apple Support - there is the only chance to get a case number, get this issue tracked and escalated.

Now, the question is: How can I downgrade to Catalina? Is it possible?

The reason why I wanna do it is because I cannot connect any external monitor (HDMI), the image is flicking. Maybe it is fixed with the next BigSur release but I don't want to stress my Macbook and my nerves again.

Thank you for your feedback, beautiful people!

I think this is what Apple should thankful the most, its community!

Yes - ask to speak to a senior support person. Point them to this thread showing that some of us are getting help, and then ask them to search for your particular MacBook Pro, Big Sur installation, I/O board, and corruption. Engineering HAS recognized this issue, but you have to find someone willing to look it up. My repair is scheduled for next week, and there should be no charge. They will start with the I/O board, and proceed to the logic board if needed.

Dear all: After 2 months of being without my 13" Mid 2014 MacBook Pro which was bricked by Big Sur, today I received a beautiful new MacBook Pro! This came after many, many calls to support, a trip to the Apple store, and two trips to a local authorized repair store. It was anything but painless, and I received contrasting information from different senior support staff. After being told that I would get mine repaired locally, I was told by another senior advisor that no parts were available for my machine, and I'd just have to buy a new Mac, since it was so old. I finally got another senior advisor to listen, and he took over my case, read the documents and realized that I did qualify for a replacement. Whew!

If you have a 2013 or 2014 Macbook Pro, I suggest you keep trying, talk to a senior advisor and ask them to look up their internal documents that do show major damage from Big Sur to these units. If you can just get someone to listen, you do have a chance of getting some help.

Update:

I spent a couple of hours last night doing an internet recovery, disk utility first aid, and a reinstall of Big Sur.

Same issue persists. I can't login.

Spoke to Apple support this morning. Full erase and reinstall required. Possibly a downgrade to Catalina or Mojave needed.

Currently going through the motions.

A day lost and all my data, but I have a BKUP.

The lack of concern for older machines is Apples Achille's heel.

Why do they nudge people to upgrade to an macOS that's isn't compatible?

It's unsustainable to expect people to upgrade hardware every two to four years.

Not just economically, but environmentally.

The advice given was to partition my machine and totally separate any non apple software.

As a freelancer with clients on many different platforms and software. It looks like I'll need to maintain three separate platforms and machines.

Staying 'native' is the only way to guarantee a pain free workflow.

In 2021.

The absolute state of it.

Oh, and anything older than five years is considered 'obsolete' and 'vintage'.

Whisky. Tango. Foxtrot.

At my third attempt at SMC reset before giving up I finally got a boot (on my bootcamp partition so some reason). Now trying to restore a time machine backup. At least it cale back to life. Check what the protocol is for your mac. On iMac unplug for 15s, plug back, wait 5s and press power. Do no hesitate to try multiple times. Good luck.

Yep I have the same laptop model you have -early 2015 MBP. After having been bricked, I can confirm 11.1 just released does indeed resolve the issue and I am now "unbricked." I was able to install Big Sur 11.1 using internet recovery just fine.

Contact apple support and ask to speak to a senior advisor. If they haven’t heard of the problem by now (they should have), ask them to research the issue with computers of your model and Big Sur updates. I was able (after a lot of hassle) to get a replacement. Hopefully by now, they have better understanding of the issue, so you won’t have nearly the fight I did. Good luck!

Hello!

I also agree with Markus, and I wouldn’t pay that crazy amount.

Please be aware that Apple release a new updated package for upgrading to Big Sur that now exclude 2013/14 machines suggesting Apple’s awareness of the issues affecting this machines and is actively preventing it from happening to more customers. Hopefully this will also translate into some kind of response from Apple to already affected customers.

So Ask to escalate your situation to Apple Homebase, and ask for alternative on the basis “they broke it, they fix it”, maybe if you’re lucky and can afford it they might give you a trade inn option for the new M1 chip machines.

good luck