Software update not loading on MacBook Air (getting stuck ) - can't get past password entry window as it cycles back to start - any ideas on how to resolve?

Software updates did not complete successfully on MacBook Air (2019) this evening (Saturday October 28th 2023) - password entry box keeps popping up and I can't get out of that loop where I enter the password and nothing loads. Any help greatly appreciated.

MacBook Air (2018 – 2020)

Posted on Oct 28, 2023 6:03 PM

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Posted on Oct 29, 2023 2:01 AM

1 - Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.


2 - Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 


3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 29, 2023 2:01 AM in response to david208

1 - Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.


2 - Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 


3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?

Oct 29, 2023 1:03 PM in response to Owl-53

Hi P. Phillips - thank you for the information and guidance - unfortunateIy, I was unable to get to a point where I could see "SAFE MODE" as an option - ended up going to the Mac store at Southpoint in Durham NC. After a diagnostic test, we reloaded the Sonoma OS software which appears to have worked and corrected the problem. Suspect a power and/or wifi interruption was responsible for the incomplete loading of the update the first time it was tried. Going to use the house ethernet connection for future operating system updates on this machine. A huge shout out to Jarrod (Jared?) at the Southpoint store for his patience as we worked through the update (and as he was addressing other customer's needs).

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Software update not loading on MacBook Air (getting stuck ) - can't get past password entry window as it cycles back to start - any ideas on how to resolve?

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