MacBook Pro bricked after failed Big Sur update 😵 ⚰️

The exact same thing happened to me. After troubleshooting with support (after I had done all of those steps) their solution was to take it in to a store or mail it in.

I'm not sure what they would necessarily do to it even if I went that route but if it is something on a software level, I would like to try it.

Very frustrating.

I've tried repeated SMC resets. Oddly, after one such attempt, the fans started running. Unfortunately, nothing else did. I'm no further forward and somewhat reluctant to send the unit in for a non-specified issue.

Tell us what's on your mind. I'll tell you. This Big Sur release hasn't worked for me neither. I've finally just downloaded the whole thing and instantly got a message that a package was invalid (it's their package not mine) and now Software Update is back to telling me that my machine is up-to-date with CATA:LINA. Can someone tell me what is going on?

My upgrade attempt resulted in the flashing folder with a question mark. Disk Utility cannot even see any storage other than the ~2GB recovery partition. Apple Customer Support ended up telling me to bring it in and it's really hard to find appointment availability near me.

Same thing happened to me. 2014 13" MacBook Pro. I was on Catalina 10.15.7 (didn't have the supplemental update installed yet), started the Big Sur install, it shut down properly to start the install, I stepped away for a minute and came back to a blank black screen. I figured it must have been doing something so I left it for several hours. Came back and it was still in the same state.

Chatted and talked to Apple support. Tried SMC reset, PRAM, Safe Mode, Recovery, Diagnostics. Nothing worked. Tried to connect it to an external display. The display flashed and acted like it was negotiating the HDMI connection but then didn't get a signal. So it's alive on some level.

Took it into a repair shop. Had to check it in. Sounds like they're going to try replacing the logic board. But since this model is now Vintage (I think that happened this week or some other very recent time) it'll take 2 weeks for repair! I just hope when they get the board that it works and I can get Big Sur installed successfully. No idea what I'm going to do if that doesn't work.

Hi,

the same here..

I'll take it for service next week but if they say that motherboard is to be replace, I hope it will be for free.

Before the update my macbook pro worked properly...after my motherboard is to replace..

There are a couple of security updates, but they take place in the background, not during the Big Sur update; I am still on Catalina 10.15.7 with the supplemental update.

This change was made: MRTConfigData:

  Version: 1.72

  Source: Apple

  Install Date: 2020-11-13, 01:45

And this change was made: XProtectPlistConfigData:

  Version: 2135

  Source: Apple

  Install Date: 2020-11-13, 01:36

You can see for yourself, if you have gotten your computer up and running again (I hope so), by going into Apple>About This Mac>System Report>Installations, and check to see if those two item versions are what I have posted. As stated, they are done in the background by Apple as added security measures. You will see a few of them in there, just look for the appropriate number and date which will indicate the changes.

Good luck to you!

Unfortunately for the MBP late 2013/mid 2014 all this does not work.

Internet recovery as well as recovery etc. do not work.

It got bricked.

The Big Sur update reportedly seems to be permanently damaging the HDMI IC on the I/O board.

My advice to everyone on this thread is to never, ever download and install a brand new Mac OS the first day it ships; you are asking for trouble. It is better to wait until most of the major initial bugs have been addressed by Apple (usually 3 to 4 months) and then install it. This has been especially true since Apple started shipping a new Mac OS on a yearly basis.

I have a Mid-2014 MBP and internet recovery and everything works. In fact, I'm able to install OS X Mavericks with the Shift - option - command - r combo.

I suggest that to remove the hard drive, and then trying to boot - if your Mac doesn't boot, it means somethings been burnt out on the mobo.

Although the chances of this happening are very remote. A software failure may not necessarily bust the mobo unless it severely heated the Mac or something.

If your Mac utilizes special screws, I suggest you order a screwdriver for that nut on Amazon.

The same for me, a year ago. Macbook pro 2016 2TB bricked by Catalina. Today my macbook pro 2019 2TB is yet with the original 10.14.5.

You can wait that Apple recognize the problem and put your mac in the garbage, ehm sorry shelf.

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

You are quite right in that my comment was not at all helpful for anyone who has this problem--too little, too late--totally agree. Just wanted to warn anyone else you might happen to look at this thread (plus those on this thread who might make the same mistake when the next OS is shipped) about the dangers of early adopting a new Mac OS.

It happened to someone I know... (or something eerily similar: Mac os installed, worked, then his macbook was bricked. would make a charging noise and through an adapter light up his other keyboard, no hdmi output, apparently worked after the update until it died. Still charges but bricked)

try booting from an older version from an external drive, that's my contribution

Unfortunately, you cannot check the disk or reinstall the system (on a formatted disk). The problem is in EFI / SMC - somewhere there is a software error that does not allow the system to boot normally. Many, by the way, cannot even enter recovery mode. Also the keyboard shortcuts for resetting NVRAM/SMC do not work.

But if you manage to boot into recovery mode, then reinstalling the system or formatting the disk and reinstalling the system won't help. Even if you install OS X Mavericks, it will also not downgrade EFI / SMC. You will also stay on the same version that was installed with Big Sur.