Critical Software Update - 2017 15" Macbook Pro (Touchbar)

casperjrlu wrote:

Hi,

I am running Ventura on a 15" 2017 Macbook Pro. Since I have upgraded OS, I am asked to connect to WiFi. When I connect, I come up against "A critical software update is required for your Mac" each time I switch on my Macbook. When I click "Try again" it doesn't work but after clicking it for a few minutes, it starts downloading the relevant update and then the computer works as normal. I would like to not have to go through this each time I shut down. Does anyone know how to fix this?

I understand that the issue likely relates to the EmbeddedOS for the Touchbar, but I haven't been able to find a 'permanent' fix such that I can boot it while offline.

can you verify your Ventura is 13.7.2

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

if no resolve—

A SafeBoot Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support will sort many anomalies

Does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled temporarily.

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test. Caches get rebuilt automatically.

casperjrlu wrote:

Thanks! Curiously I can log in without safe boot - just need to download the 'software update' which I suspect is the EmbeddedOS each time I log in...

The problem is that the EmbeddedOS is unable to be uploaded to the Touchbar due to some hardware issue affecting the Touchbar. There is nothing you can do about the boot issue & critical software update until you can resolve that hardware issue whatever that hardware issue may be.

You have a hardware issue of some sort that is affecting the TouchBar. Until you fix that hardware issue, then you will not be able to boot macOS normally. You should be able to boot into Safe Mode, but functionality will be more limited.

In my own personal experience supporting my organization's Macs, the problem could be a bad or damaged Touchbar (usually cable/connector), Logic Board, or even Display Assembly (most likely the built-in Camera that is part of the Display Assembly). It could even be something else such as bad SSD or file system (the EmbeddedOS is actually stored on a hidden partition IIRC).

Personally I would not spend any money on repairs for multiple reasons (that model has a lot of hardware related issues). The money spent on repairs is much better spent on a new laptop. The M-series laptops are a huge improvement and are the future.