Sequoia latest update wreaking havoc on system

My MacBook has been rendered useless by Sequoia. Can I uninstall it?

I upgraded my 16” MacBook Pro from macOS Sonoma to Sequoia a week ago (today is Nov 3, 2024). Immediately after the update, I couldn't log in because my keyboard stopped responding. I took it to the Apple Store, where I was told the keyboard is bad—a hardware issue—and that I’d need to pay $698 for a replacement. I pointed out that even the on-screen keyboard didn’t register key presses from the trackpad, but they seemed unsure how to respond and suggested the trackpad might also be faulty. It was alarming how they insisted it was a hardware issue, claiming the update had no connection to the problem and that my "S" key was damaged. ( it's not!!!) In reality, my MacBook was in perfect condition and functioning flawlessly before the Sequoia update, with no sign of any hardware issues.

After returning home, I contacted AppleCare to arrange for a repair. While troubleshooting, I discovered that pressing Option + Command + R at startup restored keyboard functionality temporarily, which was a relief. All the keys functioned perfectly, and the MacBook began running smoothly. It worked fine for about 3 hours, but then began experiencing keybord glitches and prompted me to upgrade to Sequoia 15.1. Unfortunately, after the update, my MacBook stopped recognizing the keyboard altogether and wouldn’t enter recovery mode, leaving it unusable. Pressing Option + Command + R at startup temporarily restores keyboard functionality. However, the fix only lasts for a short period before the issue reappears.

Also, since updating my Mac to Sequoia, it has started restarting on its own after shutting down.

My MacBook Pro is 2019 16" 16 GB RAM, 1TB. Never had any issues.

It feels as though Apple products are lasting shorter with each new purchase, seemingly reliable only as long as AppleCare is active. The balance between cost and reliability of Apple products has shifted so dramatically that staying with them no longer seems worthwhile.

My Macbook pro 2019(intel) stopped charging exactly after MacOs 15.1 and both the ports aren't working. Visited Apple store and they have mentioned its a hardware issue and parts need to be replaced. Personally I'm pretty sure it happened due to OS update but there's no way I can prove it and Apple isn't taking responsibility.

Hi everyone,

My M2 MacBook Air 16 GB started lagging after this update. Scrolling, hovering, selecting stuff started to be a nightmare. Always have to reboot and then it works, but after not using it for a while it then starts lagging again and needs another restart. Is anyone experiencing similar problems? Any fixes coming? Hate that.

Like many of us (I should have know better to wait longer to upgrade, which is probably best practice) I upgraded too quickly to Sequoia and many things broke. I rolled back to Sonoma, including a clean erase of hard drive after back up with Carbon Copy Clone, but it is not the same now on Sonoma as it was before the premature upgrade to Sequoia. Hard lesson learned, which I had forgotten. I have even considered moving my MacBook Pro to Linux or BSD, but that grass might not be greener at all. I guess patience; I went to Apple after too much Windows disappointments, and it seemed purer with its Unix foundation, but Apple is managing to screw it up too. Too many products from the Valley and the Apple may have lost its focus on superior computing machines with so many gadgets.

My battery is suddenly not charging anymore through any port! It was working fine right before the update.

I am almost out of battery. While plugged in, it shows that I am plugged in to a power source but i see a message that says not charging.

At this rate, I can’t even revert back to anything

Just checking in to see if Sequoia is fixed and stable, apparently it is not. Using MBPs 14 M3 Max. Nothing but problems with Sequoia, which is too bad since I want to use the AI. The System continually logged me out of every app, requiring repititous log-ins for each, which is a big PIA and time sucker. Sequoia rendered computer basically non-usable. Did a total erase, wiped the disc, re-installed Sonoma. While not perfect, it's not trashing everything as Sequoia did. N.B., I also have a 2011 iMac i7 running High Sierra. No problems at all with anything. Just keeps chugging along doing its work reasonably well with reasonable speed. No downtime trying to get it to function. It's glitz vs functionality. My CRM made me switch to newer OS to sync to my IOS devices, otherwise I'd never gone to the newer OS. Looking back over the many years (30+), can't say that apps like Word are improved over Word 5 as far as function in the real world is concerned. Some apps require the newer OS, but for 90% of real work, the old is better than the new regarding functionality and GTD. Time is money. Spending 10 hour a week (500 hours a year) fighting with the software is a money losing game. I think I'm going to buy an i9 that will run High Sierra so I can use my legacy apps (fully paid, no subs).

I bought a brand new Mac Mini Pro and Studio Display two weeks ago. The monitor arrived DOA and had to be replaced. The new one arrived, plugged in the Mini, restored a backup from my iMac. All was well, until I clicked on the waiting OS update. The Mini was totally borked--no boot, no recovery screen, nothing. I sent both of them back for a refund. Maybe I'll buy the set again in six months, after they have fixed some bugs. What. The. Heck.

The exact same thing just happened to me. Upgraded my 2020 MacBook Pro because the Magic Mouse I bought wasn’t connecting properly and I read that it was likely because I needed to upgrade. Immediately after the upgrade my laptop was no longer charging in either of the ports. I brought it into Apple today and after they tried everything to restore it, I was told the logic board was probably affected and needed repair/replacement. Called Apple and they refuse to cover this repair because as far as they see it, there aren’t any “known” issues with Sequoia upgrades and that it could be due to an underlying issue. My MacBook was in great condition, had paid for Apple Care and never needed to file a claim and this happens 1 year after it expires and according to them my computer is too old. So $3,000 laptop apparently isn’t intended to last more than 4 years. Total BS they just don’t want to set a precedent.

That's looks like the hardware problem with the M1 iMacs probably brought on by the intense load on the system and components during the upgrade and update.

The following topics illustrate the Silicon M1 iMac Display problem:

The following topics illustrate the Silicon M1 iMac Display problem:

Screen Failure on 24-inch-iMac, M1, 2021 - Apple Community

Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMac Screen - Apple Community

Horizontal Lines on Screen of iMac, 24", 2021

Horizontal black lines covering bottom 3rd of 2021 M1 iMac screen

Grey horizontal patches on my M1 iMac 2021 model

Horizontal lines at the bottom of iMac(M1,2021) screen

Horizontal Lines on 2001 M1 iMac Display

It's been reported that the repair cost for the screen is around $600. Some are circumventing that cost with an external monitor (which can be had for as low as $100 for a 27" monitor). So far there's been no indication that a recall/fix will be offered by Apple. But, be sure to tell Apple about the problem at Tell Apple what missing features you'd like restored or new features added to the system via Feedback - macOS - Apple.   Remember the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

You can take it into the nearest Apple Genius Bar for a free diagnostic of your iMac and a repair cost estimate.

Usually if a screenshot does not show the graphical glitch, then it means the problem is a hardware issue with the LCD Panel. However, in this case with flickering video there is a chance a screenshot could possibly take a snapshot in between the flashes & capture a perfect image. Try a screen recording using QuickTime Player. View the Screen Recording on another device or display to see if it shows up there as well. If the issue is not shown by the screen recording, then you have confirmed a hardware issue with the LCD Panel (or possibly internal display cable).

How to record the screen on your Mac - Apple Support

If you have a 2021 iMac as shown in your signature profile, then you could try reinstalling macOS 14.x Sonoma (requires a clean install by first erasing the disk or rather deleting the "Volume Group" followed by installing Sonoma & restoring from a backup).

There are reports Elsewhere regarding the Original M1 iMacs having this type Display issue

https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/01/m1-imac-horizontal-lines-issue/

Solution are unknown at this time

To be constructive 🤞

Start now and open an Apple Support Ticket as they are PAID  Apple Employees to deal will these types of issues . 

 Product Feedback - and make it known to Apple regarding this ongoing issue

Have the computer evaluated by the Professionals who have the Special Hardware Software and Expertise to diagnose the issue and offer possible solutions

Make an Appointment at the Apple Genius Bar or call 1 800 MyApple and have them evaluate the computer

Other location Call Centres 

 Contact Apple for support and service

I've been using Apple products for the past 15 years, and Sequoia is by far the worst update I've experienced on a Mac. Everything is crashing, and Spotlight won't work, slowing down nearly everything. Additionally, the Stocks app keeps opening mysteriously without my initiation.

horacenalle wrote:

My MacBook has been rendered useless by Sequoia. Can I uninstall it?

If your laptop had an older version of macOS before, then you can perform a clean install of macOS by erasing the disk (or rather deleting the "Volume Group") followed by reinstalling macOS & restoring from a backup. How you do this varies by the exact model of the Mac.

Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support

Use Disk Utility to erase a Mac with Apple silicon - Apple Support

Creating & using a bootable macOS USB installer may be needed to reinstall a specific version of macOS (the OS must be compatible with your specific model Mac):

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

With a 2018-2020 Intel Mac using the T2 security chip requires first modifying the system security settings using the Startup Security Utility to allow booting from USB:

About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip - Apple Support