Macbook Pro 16 M1 2021 - Stuck in boot loop, power button hold not working

I've visiting/ working abroad and my M1 mac screen went black while working on it, I restarted and it went into a boot loop. It completely ignores the Power Button hold to bring up boot options. Are there any other key commands I can use. Search the internet for hours trying to figure this out. Ugh. I would love to even get it into single user mode, Command-S is not working either. Crushingly frustrating.

MacBook Pro (2021)

Posted on Aug 24, 2023 1:00 AM

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Question marked as Best answer

So back together. Still not fully booting.


It isn't looping anymore and the back-light is still down. I can see the apple logo appear very briefly when I press the power button while a flashlight is used to light the screen, but it disappears very quickly and never boots. Holding the power button down is different now too - the Apple stays on while I hold the power button, but I never get the boot options menu.


I'm pretty sure it is not passing the hardware test on boot-up hence this behavior. Looks like I have to bring it to apple when I return to the states.

Posted on Aug 30, 2023 7:25 AM

34 replies

Oct 18, 2023 6:45 PM in response to macjedi117

Just got this issue yesterday, not able to go into any recovery/safe modes. Revive failed as well. Like others, I’m able to see Apple logo with flashlight on as the laptop infinitely boots and chimes.


Apple Store said plan of action is:

1) Attempt a revive (I already know this won’t work)


2) Attempt a restore (I’d rather not try this since I have maybe 2% of stuff that is not backed up to icloud like some old .RAW files I’d rather keep if I can)


3) “Fix it” for $748… whatever that means.



If it really is the same display module issue.. sounds like that can be fixed without wiping (AND wiping won’t even do anything)


Would rather they do some diagnostics and try this route before unnecessarily wiping but the guy seemed pretty adamant about trying the restore first. Decided to just bring my laptop home for now.


Might see if I can get an associate who is less wipe-trigger-happy and more “diagnostics” first.


Oct 19, 2023 12:58 AM in response to Shadowfan67

Agreed, this is a hardware issue, not OS related. If you do not attempt a restore or change out the MLB, you'll be able to keep your data.


I believe the problem is either the LCD Screen Angle Sensor and/or the Display. My cost to repair was around your quote.


If you want to save your data and to keep your M1 MBP, just pay the $748. If you later decide you don't want your MBP and want to upgrade, you can trade-in at close to $600 - costing you $148 to save your data.


My 2 cents.

Oct 26, 2023 8:21 PM in response to macjedi117

Asked and they said trade-in is worth $0 in its current state.


Sent for repair. Issue was determined to be as you predicted, both Display + Lid Angle Sensor were replaced for $748.


Unfortunately, they also performed a clean install of MacOS for whatever stupid reason, so data was wiped.


Again majority of my stuff was in iCloud but still bummed about the things I did lose that were in local pictures/movies/music/downloads/home directories.


Also really stupid that a broken lid angle/display means that MacBook can't boot when lid is closed, display is off, and connected to an external monitor.

Macbook Pro 16 M1 2021 - Stuck in boot loop, power button hold not working

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