Big Sur - Black Screen After Update?

Hello! I have a late 2013 MacBook Pro, I had the same problem while installing Big Sur (black screen). I did some research and on Apple help website it suggest to first hold down power to force shut down, then to hold power button again for 10 seconds. After 2-3 attempts, I got the password screen and installation of Big Sur has finished it’s process. The only problem seems that now, if I turn off my computer I have to do the same trick because It gave me a black screen when I tried to start. So as I rely on this MacBook Pro to work from home, I just never power off, just sleep mode.

here is the page I found to resolve temporary my problem: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210905

While you have a working machine, why not make a USB installer. With at, you can boot into it, do some disk checks and First Aid and run the installer over the existing system to refresh it.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211242

I am having this issue and went to genius bar in apple store in Dubai who told me that i/o board is damaged and needs replacement. They are charging me ~AED 465 tax for damage their OS update caused. How is that fair?

Welcome, christian1354, to Apple Support Communities!

The best or closest thing to a solution—for those that don’t have verifiable hardware failures—is the solution linked to in the comment: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252038388?answerId=254133966022#254133966022.

However, as with the person that posted the “solution”, I, likewise, do not recommend opening your MacBook!

Welcome, elmarklimov, to Apple Support Communities!

TOMWATSON2468’s approach appears to work, at least for some.

As I wrote to christian1354:

«The best or closest thing to a solution—for those that don’t have verifiable hardware failures—is the solution linked to in the comment: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252038388?answerId=254133966022#254133966022.

However, as with the person that posted the “solution”, I, likewise, do not recommend opening your MacBook!»

Basically, in whatever way you can get your Mac to boot up to a usable state, install Big Sur 11.1, perhaps best by a clean install.

I haven’t seen anything official from Apple clearing the “moratorium” on Big Sur upgrades on 2013–2014 MacBook Pros, but the 11.1 Big Sur version seems to have success with Macs that are not actually suffering from hardware failures.

Thank you for your reply. Sorry, but I have to disagree with you. Updates is NOT a trailer.

1. I bought this notebook with OS preinstalled.
2. Apple recommends update their devices. Isn't it?
3. Following manufacturer recommendations I did it. I didn't do something wrong or illegal I just make an another suggested update, which caused (probably) physically damage of a IO board. If the update turned out to be disastrous for some devices. Where is my fall?

Thanks for the reply. A couple things:

• Analogies don't expire so it doesn't matter how old it is.
• Analogies are poor parables of the truth. If you feel the need to use an analogy then you don't understand it well enough yourself to explain it clearly.

Take it from someone who used to use analogies all the time and finally realized they don't help, as you can see from all the confused replies.

Update: Got my MacBook back from apple repair. I was charged AED 475/- and they put on Catalina on it. Below is the work authorization email as well as copy of the receipt I paid to apple for the damage done by apple.

You can clearly see in the work authorization notes that they were well aware of the big sur problem but still had a nerve to charge for the repair.

I have a 2019 MacBook Pro - and it is completely dead. No combination of keys will reboot my computer. Thanks Mac you did it again! Here goes another $300 for some tech to try and get it up and running. DON'T install Big Sur.

I'm in the same((Macbook Pro Mid 2014. Black screen of death and nothing else(Official support says - You update OS on your own risk!!!!)) You hear that?))They broke my device and says that it is my problems because mbp is warranty out..... i'm in shock!

[Edited by Moderator]

Perhaps an analogy may help, elmarklimov:

Suppose you have a car that is rated to be able to tow a trailer of a given size, weight, etc., but you haven’t been towing that trailer for quite some time, but your car seems to be running just fine.

One day, you decide to take a trip using the aforementioned trailer.

So, you set out towing that trailer.

Is it the trailer’s fault if your car has a problem on your trip?

Your car may have seemed to be running just fine, but you haven’t been subjecting it to the added strain of the trailer.

Your car was rated for being able to tow that trailer, but that’s really only under the condition that your car is well maintained in very good condition.

Neither the trailer manufacturer nor the manufacturer of your car is obligated if your car breaks down towing that trailer, even though the car was rated for being able to do so (under condition of the car running in very good condition).

You tow that trailer «on your own risk!!!!»

(Incidentally, I recall reading some things that can be done for that I/O Board. I thought I saw someone indicate that there was some firmware-like fix; at least if nothing is physically damaged, on the board.

I hope for the best, for you and your computer.)

"Incidentally, I recall reading some things that can be done for that

I/O Board. I thought I saw someone indicate that there was some

firmware-like fix; at least if nothing is physically damaged, on the

board."

Where exactly did you see that? The i/o board damage is permanent.

I saw it within the Apple Support Communities fora. In a discussion much like this one. (It’s one of the problems with have multiple, disjointed discussions on the very same topic.)

If there is actual, observable damage, mknell, then, yes, it is “permanent”. Fixable only by replacement of components, or the entire I/O board.

However, such physical damage need not be the only cause for the malfunction.

I thought I am following the various discussions, not seeing any "indication" that there was some firmware-like fix

for the i/o board issue. I would be glad to get an exact link.

To me the i/o board is not working at all and it has been caused by the Big Sur installation,

as Catalina last patch was still running fine incl. reboot and all components from the i/o board

working before one day later the Big Sur installation ended after a reboot triggered within the installation

routine in the Black screen, that only disappears if the i/o board is unplugged.

So if there would be a "firmware-like fix" avoiding the i/o board needed to be replaced

I would like somebody to pointing out how that fix can be applied.

Thanks!

No, elmarklimov. You did nothing «wrong or illegal».

That is, most certainly, not the point.

It’s just as with pulling the trailer: nothing «wrong or illegal».

The manufacturer’s recommendation is to keep your Operating System (OS) up-to-date, by way of updates.

Going from Catalina (10.15.x) to Big Sur (11.0.x) is not an update, but an upgrade. A major upgrade.

It is like taking a car that hasn’t been pulling a trailer, and, “suddenly”, deciding to start pulling said trailer.

Just as a car can seem to be running “just fine”, even though it harbors a “borderline failure”, which can become manifest by changing its load (towing a trailer), the very same can occur with any other hardware, such as computer hardware.

You simply were not aware of the “borderline” failure.

The new “load” of a new OS, could have just as well been the new “load” of a new, “heavier”, more demanding application.

It’s no more, but, also, no less your “fault” than deciding one day to use your car to tow a trailer, that you haven’t been doing, even though the trailer is within the rating of your car (at least when in very good condition).

Apple tested this OS upgrade (Big Sur) on such very good condition MacBook Pros (and others).

Such were within the “rating” for this OS upgrade.

“Worn” systems may be on the borderline.

No one can test for all possible conditions of “wear”.