Password not recognised for Big Sur software update

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Level 1

11 points

Password not recognised for Big Sur software update

My MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020) won't recognise my user password when updating to Big Sur 11.6.3. When I get to the 'Restart required' stage of this update a box appears saying 'Software Update is trying to authenticate user'. When I enter my user password (I am the only user) the password is refused. I have tried resetting my password but it also won't allow me to do that, again not recognising the current password. I know it's the right password because I can use it to unlock the screen.

Posted on Jan 26, 2022 3:09 PM

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Answer 1

KMB_12

Community Specialist

Jan 27, 2022 2:35 PM in response to Dindrew

Greetings, Dindrew.

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities. It’s understandable that you’d want to know which password to enter in order to complete your update.

Do you recall setting a firmware password on your Mac? Set a firmware password on your Mac

What happens if you change your admin password? Change the login password on Mac

Also, have you tried entering your Apple ID password?

We hope this helps! Thanks for being a part of the community.

Sincerely.

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Answer 2

Dindrew Author

Level 1

11 points

Jan 27, 2022 3:24 PM in response to KMB_12

Hello and thanks for the reply.

It's not a question of 'which password to enter' as you put it — I know which password it is but the computer doesn't seem to recognise it for admin purposes.
I've never set a firmware password.
It won't let me change the login password because it doesn't recognise my current login password which you have to enter in order to change it. However it does recognise my current password when I unlock the screen and login to the computer itself each time I come to use it.
Tried entering apple ID password but it doesn't work for admin purposes.

I have seen in other posts that I am not the only one this has happened to and it seems like the only solution is to reinstall the OS completely! There is a problem here which Apple don't seem to be aware of... Very frustrating and slightly worrying because even if I do reinstall Big Sur from scratch it may just happen again...

Best wishes

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Password not recognised for Big Sur software update

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