MacBook Pro bricked after failed Big Sur update 😵 ⚰️

👍🏼Big Sur 11.1 fixed my issue. I am able to both Restart and Shutdown/Start with my Apple 27" Thunderbolt display connected.

My original issue: I could not start my MBP with the Apple 27" Thunderbolt display connected. I had to disconnect it, start, then reconnect it. I did not have any other issues. I did not attempt to downgrade after reading everyone's experiences. I did not attempt to make any hardware changes on my own. I lived with this one issue with the hopes that a fix would become available.

Model: MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)

Processor: 2.6 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

Memory: 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 2 GB

-Phil

That's awesome! Thank you to everyone who's reporting back saying that Big Sur has been fixed with the 11.1 update. Most people usually don't comment when things are resolved - which inadvertently leaves the rest of the community wondering. So I'm posting a genuine thank you to everyone who's reported back with positive results!

Can anyone please advise how long it took to install Big Sur 11.1 including what Mac system it was installed on? I have a MBP early 2015 and am interested to know how long to expect the update to take.

Has anyone else tried booting with 2 usb hdd plugged in? (I.e. one in each port).

i had all the same issues as most of you including none of the key combinations working. But having both USB ports occupied allowed

me to boot. It always worked for getting mine to boot and allowed me to install 11.1 which has now cleared the problem.

Mine took approx 40 mins to update, and it worked. I must admit, after reading all the horror stories in this forum I held my breath all the way through the update and numerous system restarts. It even went through a blank screen stage for about 5 mins, but came back and continued the install. Anyway, I'm pleased to announce my MBP Retina 13" Early 2015 is now on Big Sur 11.1

It took me about 25 mins on Dec 15 starting at 9:35pm EST.

Model: MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)

Processor: 2.6 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

Memory:  16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 2 GB

Hello!

I’m truly happy it turned out great for you! I guess you got lucky to have a proper assistant to your case, who had the authority and sensitivity to offer the kind of support we all expect from dear Apple.

let’s hope others customers affected by these issues also get a similar treatment, specially those outside the US! Because until recently some were being charged quite expensively for repairs...at least if a fix is possible, they should do it for free (my experience). If not, like your case, give customer a functional substitute machine (didn’t need to be the new M1, lucky you ;)

Hey

My MBP13 LATE 2013 IS NOW WORKING

Back story - big sur bricked it, apple support, genius bar, £500 to repair, no thanks - same as many others

First of all the term 'Bricked' is not descriptive enough, I think we need some more definitions

For example

Bricked Type 1 - on start up shows an off black(grey) screen, physical apple logo is lit on case so has power but nothing else happens, can not access recovery mode (cmd+r) or boot from a usb (alt)

Bricked Type 2 - on start up apple logo shows but does not boot in to OS

Bricked Type 2a - as above + you cannot access recovery tools

Bricked Type 2b - as type 2 + you can access recovery tools (arguably not bricked at all)

I had Type 1, but after leaving it a week it powered o and continued the big sur update but would Type 1 brick on restart but would start working again after 4-5 days.

So Type 1a is Type 1 were it will boot every so often but will Type 1 on any restart or shutdown and boot

Over the course of a couple of weeks i was able to finish the bug sur update but it would Type 1 every shutdown and reboot. The usbs and wireless card were still working which is a different symptom to others

I was then able to upgrade to 11.1 which stopped the Type 1 on restart but not on shutdown and reboot (had to wait a few days each time) I eventually managed to reinstall Catalina which fixed my machine

Yes i'm lucky. but if anyone else can boot (by whatever method necessary) you may be able to follow the same path as me.

Would be great if people defined their version of 'bricked' when giving solutions

Some semi-good news on my Mid-2014 MacBook Pro - I finally got through to a very nice senior support person today that took me seriously, and was willing to research the issue. He found a document that discussed my very issue, and we went through a line of troubleshooting and questions that fit my problem to a T. It's being submitted to engineering. I'm hoping that someone will take pity on me and help repair or replace my computer. My problem is DEFINITELY related to the attempt to install Big Sur.

11.01 bricked my 2016 13" MBP with function keys. Initially, I could get into recovery with the various resets but now nothing. An external monitor doesn't work. It seems the 2016 i/o board isn't comparable to the 2013-14 i/o board. Apple support said repairs would be at my expense.

I thought the whole point of a forum was to share you experience and fixes and ask for help. Not to be shot down when a solution is found. This is becoming fast a dictatorship not a forum! Moderator of this forum please don’t keep deleting something that might help others resolve a problem.

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!

I also have a bricked MacBook Pro now. My computer should not have initiated an auto update but apparently it did. Now when I try to use it, I get a black screen with a flashing question mark folder. This seems to be happening to a lot of people right now. Is Apple compensating anyone?

I have successfully upgraded my MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014) to MacOS Big Sur after 39 days (~5-6 weeks). My MacBook is now running Big Sur 11.1.

Apple replaced the Logic board and right I/O board free of charge after many interactions. This included three Apple Store Genius Bar visits, several support live chats & telephone calls (some escalated to senior advisors) and after I sent a hard copy letter to Apple setting out the situation.

Apple noted the lithium ion battery had swollen and recommended that it be replaced. I agreed to replace the battery at my cost while the boards were replaced.

I am glad that my MacBook Pro is now running again. It has been bizarre to go through this experience with Apple but I am thankful that Apple did eventually own and rectify the problem.

My Mid 2014 MacBook Pro is finally going to be repaired by Apple at a local authorized repair center, free of charge! It's been stuck on a grey screen since attempting the update to Big Sur, and no key combination would make a difference. As many of you, I went through repeated calls to Apple support, spoke to several senior support people, took my Mac to the local Apple Store (which has since closed due to COVID), and took it to an authorized repair place.

I finally found a senior support person that really listened, and found the Apple document that directly addressed my concern. For some reason, Apple wouldn't repair my MacBook pro directly, so I'm waiting till December 29 for their first available appointment. They plan to start with the I/O board, and proceed to the logic board if needed. Hopefully, it won't take too long for the repair.

So, my suggestion is to escalate your concerns to a senior support staff, and ask them to look up your particular machine, adding Big Sur update, grey screen, and I/O board to their search. The documents are there, and can be found.