iMac 27" 2020 4K stuck on the login page after doing nothing

Question

iMac 27" 2020 4K stuck on the login page after doing nothing

Hello, I got a strange problem. I was working as usually but notice that iMac started to work slower. I thought okay, maybe I haven't rebooted it in a while. Reboot and ta-dam, on the login page it always stuck on the middle of the progress bar.

I've spent a whole day for repairing it. I've tried reboots (a lot of actually), I've tried recovery mode, safe modes, etc. Nothing helped yet. I've changed the password from recovery, however it didn't help too.

The disk was checked with disk utility from recovery mode, everything is alright

I've even tried to reinstall the OS (Big Sur) from the recovery mode, but when I tried to install it from the Internet there was a problem - no connection to apple servers, the same error with two different working WiFis (I saw this message opening logs with command+L), after that I created a usb installer following apple.com instructions for doing that. Now the OS installation was success, however it didn't help at all

I cannot just erase the disk since I have very important data on it. Maybe the problem is in turned on FileVault? As far as I know firstly after login Mac tries to decrypt disks.

But also if the problem was in FileVault, I'd have the same problem decrypting disks in Disk utility in recovery mode? Everything was ok

I don't know, please could you help me save my data and log back to my iMac in? Thank you

iMac 27″, macOS 11.4

Posted on Sep 4, 2021 10:36 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Sep 5, 2021 9:46 AM in response to apple-lover-777

Have you tried Disk First Aid while in recovery mode on the physical drive and then on each of the volumes listed under it? You may need to menu View->Show all devices" to see the physical drive (also accessible with the "View" dropdown in the Disk Utility window).

Reply

Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

216,388 points

Sep 5, 2021 10:30 AM in response to apple-lover-777

Connect your wireless keyboard to your Mac with its charging cable and try booting into Safe Mode again. I have problems with my wireless but using the charging cable makes it a wired keyboard.

Reply

Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

216,388 points

Sep 4, 2021 11:06 AM in response to apple-lover-777

See if you can boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support. If you can reboot normally.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

Reply

Answer 4

Owl-53

Level 10

104,389 points

Sep 5, 2021 2:15 AM in response to apple-lover-777

Is there a Recent Time Machine Backup on hand ??

A Time Machine Backup is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS.

Reply

Answer 5

Sep 5, 2021 12:23 AM in response to Old Toad

Hi Old Toad and thank you for the answer

I've tried to boot into safe mode from the beginning but I can't

I mean, everything is the same. It boots until login screen, I type in my password, and it stuck right in the centre of loading bar

I have another mac - that's mid 2015 macbook air, I've tried to boot it in a safe mode, and it booted perfectly

I think the thing is in FileVault. What can I do now? Is it possible to turn off the FileVault from the recovery mode (console) ?

Reply

Answer 6

Owl-53

Level 10

104,389 points

Sep 5, 2021 2:32 AM in response to apple-lover-777

Only for future purposes especially for Mission Critical setups.

Do you have a Rescue Plan In-Place. This comprises having 3 Backups using 2 methods and 1 Off Site incase of Theft, Loss or Natural Disasters. A Time Machine Backup is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS. For addition purposes - two Tested Bootable Clones each to separate external drives. This is insurance incase the upgrades goes sideways. At least one Tested Clone and / or Time Machine Backup should be Off - Site

Reply