Restart loop after updating macOS

Question

Level 1

4 points

Restart loop after updating macOS

Hello!

I have an iMac (late 2015) that currently is still running Catalina (10.15.7) and works fine.

I wanted to upgrade to Monterey: it downloads and installs ok, but when restarting after the upgrade it enters a loop on the apple logo screen. I waited for a long time but the only option was to shutdown the computer.

I tried some stuff found online, such as using the "First Aid" feature on the Disk Utility but it didn't work.

I can use the computer, because if I launch the startup manager (option key) it lets me choose the "Macintosh HD" instead of the "macOS Installer" - and it boots just fine (on Catalina, obviously).

Can somebody help me understand why this is happening? And if there is any way to update the OS.

Thank you!

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jun 5, 2023 6:37 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

90,868 points

Jun 5, 2023 6:43 AM in response to Subpow

Make sure that you have a good backup before proceeding.

Then try upgrading in Safe Mode, as per > If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Jun 6, 2023 11:50 AM in response to Subpow

What has often worked for others is to use this Restore Method instead of CMD+r keys...

Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254793247?answerId=258936149022#258936149022

Clean Install of High Sierra: Multiple Fa… - Apple Community

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Answer 3

Subpow Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 7, 2023 5:57 AM in response to Subpow

Also, I was looking for files related to the update on the computer and I have both:

com.apple.pkg.installassistant.macosmonterey.bom

com.apple.pkg.installassistant.macosmonterey.plist

These are inside Library/Apple/System/Library/Receipts.

In fact I also have the same for BigSur since I tried to update a couple of years ago and the same happened (the computer is still running Catalina).

Could these be causing problems?

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Answer 4

Subpow Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 6, 2023 2:08 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks, I already have a backup.

I can't even get to Safe Mode, because when I press Shift it just keeps restarting.

The only way to get out of it is to press option and boot "Macintosh HD", as I said before...

Do you have any other ideas?

Thanks again

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Answer 5

Subpow Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 6, 2023 3:53 PM in response to BDAqua

When I try to get it from the store it opens the Software Update screen (System Preferences), but there it is stuck in "Finding Update...", so I can't download it.

But just to clarify, I already downloaded Monterey before (and even ran the install), the problem was after when it restarted.

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