After latest Montery update, stuck in "critical software update" loop – can only use Safe Mode

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After latest Montery update, stuck in "critical software update" loop – can only use Safe Mode

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017) ... button bar non-functional, display issues)

After the recent update to Monterey 12.1, my computer on startup goes to "less than 2 minutes remaining," then asks for the WiFi password, then says that "a critical update can't be installed due to a network issue." (The network is fine.) Upon "Retry," it then says again that "a critical update can't be installed" but doesn't mention the network. It never succeeds.

After exploring various other posts here, I found that by pressing "Shift" on startup – "Safe Mode" – I could start and use the computer. But, when I select "Software Update," it just says that the computer is up-to-date. If I boot without pressing "Shift," the critical-update loop repeats. (This is not the outcome that I had hoped for, since other folks said that starting in Safe Mode and selecting "Software Update" actually fixed the problem.)

This Mac does have hardware problems, including the touchbar (doesn't light up) and the display (colors are strange). But I really would like to solve this startup problem and be able to use the computer outside of safe-mode.

I have reset NVRAM/PRAM, and the SMC, all with no useful effect. Any ideas what else to try?

Posted on Dec 15, 2021 6:46 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 16, 2021 8:52 AM in response to HWTech

"Silly Rabbit ... Of course(!) the computer is always fully backed-up!"

I did try to install MacOS in recovery mode (from the Internet) and wound up at the same point. So, I wonder if there is any way to cause the OS installation process to "just skip this step."

I've never been pleased with the touchbar and I would love to find a way to switch it off ... maybe so that the installer would then not attempt to update it. I don't use it and I don't need it. I just need to use the computer outside of safe mode. I just need the OS update to finish.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

60,278 points

Dec 16, 2021 8:35 AM in response to Twelve Shades Publications

The "A Critical Software Update is Required" error loop is due to an issue involving the Touchbar since macOS is trying to upload the EmbeddedOS to the Touchbar. This error can be caused by just about any of the built-in hardware and I've seen reports on these forums that a macOS issue may also cause the problem. Once the hardware or software issue is resolved macOS will need to connect to the Internet in order to re-download the EmbeddedOS software.

The Touchbar does not work while booted into Safe Mode which is why Safe Mode allows you to boot the laptop without the error.

You can try running the Apple Diagnostics as well to see if any hardware issues are detected.

Try booting into Recovery Mode (Command + R) or Internet Recovery Mode (Command + Option + R) to try reinstalling macOS over top of itself to see if that will fix the problem. If this does not work, the you will need to have Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider examine the laptop to provide you with a repair estimate.

I highly recommend making sure you have a good backup now before you attempt to do anything else in case something goes wrong while attempting to reinstall macOS. At least right now you can access your data from Safe Mode. If anything goes wrong, then it may be impossible to recover any data from the SSD.

You should always have frequent and regular backups. FYI, it is impossible to recover accidentally deleted data from an SSD after the Trash has been emptied plus an SSD can fail at any time without any warning signs. If you have a 2018+ Apple laptop with the T2 security chip, then you could permanently lose any data that was not backed up if anything happens to the laptop's Logic Board (even a software issue could force you to "Restore" the T2 firmware which destroys all data on the SSD).

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Answer 3

HWTech

Level 9

60,278 points

Dec 16, 2021 8:57 AM in response to Twelve Shades Publications

You did mention the "display colors are strange" which most likely indicates a hard issue.

I'm sure there may be a way to prevent macOS from trying to load the EmbeddedOS image to the Touchbar, but I have no idea how to do that.

I'm glad you have backups as many people don't until after they lose everything.

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Answer 4

Dec 16, 2021 11:47 AM in response to Twelve Shades Publications

Yes, it must be a hardware issue and so I've decided to take the unit in for true repairs.

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After latest Montery update, stuck in "critical software update" loop – can only use Safe Mode

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