Mac Mini M4 Orange SOS DFU Recover Failed OXFCA (4042)

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JmProjects Author

Level 1

56 points

Mac Mini M4 Orange SOS DFU Recover Failed OXFCA (4042)

Streaming video then everything goes black. Mac Mini M4 will not display anything. No recovery mode or anything.

Hooked up the M4 to another M4 and did a restore.

failed on Step 4 of 4 during installation. The bar never moved.

Error said.

The System cannot be restored on this device.

Gave up waiting for device to transition from Port DFU state to DFU state. [com.apple.MobileDevice.MobileRestore

- OXFCA (4042)]

I tried it in Finder and Apple Configurator 2.14. No luck.

tried different cords and ports. No luck.

Gave up called support.

Support Level 2 said they recognize that this is a problem and has no solution at this time.

I’m guessing it’s either the SSD is dead or Logic Board.

Open to hear suggestions or experimentations.

Annnnd Go!

Posted on Jun 20, 2025 11:51 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 21, 2025 4:42 AM in response to JmProjects

What version of macOS was on the Mini that failed? Try and get the exact version .ipsw file that the system was running at the time instead of letting macOS or Apple Configurator decide which one to use. I know Apple Configurator allows you to supply an .ipsw but not sure about the new method with macOS.

BTW, I recently did a restore using Apple Configurator on an old 2013 iMac with Catalina on a recent Mac I had issues with and was able to restore it with a current version of macOS.

Failing that, it could be quite possible that there is a hardware failure which I personally am leaning to in your case since the system went belly up while using it normally.

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Answer 2

Jun 22, 2025 5:10 AM in response to JmProjects

I have done a bit a research and my conclusion to your issue is to get an appointment at an Apple Store or an Authorized Apple Service Provider and have the hardware checked out. The "4042" error code more often than not on a Mac results from a hardware issue related to but not limited to the SSD.

Also, the event that started your whole issue indicates that it is hardware issue and continued efforts trying to restore will be literally beating a dead horse. Being an M4 MacMini, the replacement may be as simple as Apple replacing the SSD which is now removable. Since it is an M4, it should still be covered by warranty and the repair should cost you nothing.

BTW, Apple silicon Macs never had a T2 chip. Those were solely a chip for Intel Macs.

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Answer 3

JmProjects Author

Level 1

56 points

Jun 27, 2025 9:04 PM in response to JmProjects

SOLVED UPDATE 6/27/25: I went back to the genius bar to pick up the Mac mini M4. It’s restored. The Hardware is fine.

They did a Format and reinstall the OS. What I did with restore didn’t work.

shout out to Thomas for telling me they did a Target Disk Mode to my Mac and formatted the HDD. It was all types of messed up. But the hardware is fine.

To anyone who wants an answer is this.

Do a Target Disk Drive method. Plug your Mac to another Mac. (depending on your model, might have to Google it) enter Target Disk Drive mode and use Disk Utility to format it. After it has been formatted, Then go to Finder or Apple configurator to do a complete restore.

This should fix your problem.

Good luck!

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Answer 4

Jun 21, 2025 1:03 AM in response to JmProjects

I don't know whether this will help but I had an orange SOS problem a few weeks ago and tbirdvet's suggestion solved it.

tbirdvet

May 12, 2025 5:07 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Try this process: With Mac off hold down the power button until see it will start in recovery mode. From there you can use disk utilities to check drive and then restart by selecting the internal drive. I did this operation the other day for the same issue you have and it fixed the booting issue. When you do this you may need a wired keyboard and mouse.

Ian R. Brown

Author

May 12, 2025 5:47 AM in response to tbirdvet

Your solution seemed less drastic so I thought I would give it a go.

I did it, pressed the power button, got the chime but then nothing!

So I moved across to my M2 you tell you it hadn't worked when out of the corner of my eye I noticed the M4's monitor had the login screen and now everything touch wood (knock on wood) appears to be back to normal.

I reconnected the external boot drive and booted into that with no problem.

So thank you very much.

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Answer 5

JmProjects Author

Level 1

56 points

Jun 22, 2025 12:09 PM in response to JmProjects

UPDATE 6/22/25 12:07pm : after completing so many different tests and diagnostics. My conclusion is the solid state Drive is most likely has failed.

Making an appointment at the Apple Store to get the hard drive inspected and replace. It’s still underneath warranty.

I will circle back to this post once it’s gone through the process at the Apple Store.

Thank you everyone for your help.

Stay tuned for final verdict.

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Answer 6

Jun 27, 2025 10:59 PM in response to helpus all

helpus all wrote:

MobileDevice framework and can be updated independently of the OS and should be included in both Apple Configurator.app (AC) and Xcode.

Thanks for the hint.

So to revive or restore a Mac you need:

- USB-C to USB-C charging cable (not Thunderbolt cable).

- macOS Sonoma 14 or later on the other Mac (any USB-C port, connect to Internet).

- Use correct DFU port on the affected Mac (nothing but power in other USB ports).

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

How to identify the DFU port on Mac - Apple Support

And maybe also latest Apple Configurator.app, latest Xcode for that macOS. Do both Macs need to be Intel or M-series?

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Answer 7

Jun 28, 2025 4:50 PM in response to JmProjects

JmProjects wrote:

Then go to Finder or Apple configurator to do a complete restore.

This should fix your problem.

The DFU Firmware Restore is what fixed the problem since it resets the security enclave chip, system firmware, and internal SSD followed by pushing a clean copy of macOS onto the internal SSD. Unfortunately this process does require access to another Mac running macOS 15.x Sequoia.

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

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Answer 8

den.thed

Level 10

94,392 points

Jun 20, 2025 2:47 PM in response to JmProjects

First off have a look at > Mac computer status indicator light behavior - Apple Support

If the steps at > How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support did not or do not work.

Then you will need to contact your local Apple Store or AASP for a service visit. see > Find Locations

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Answer 9

JmProjects Author

Level 1

56 points

Jun 20, 2025 1:50 PM in response to rkaufmann87

6/20/25 2:48am - The first tech-support said they can’t help me and they’re going too send me to the next person up.

6/20/25 11:05am They called me this morning and they acknowledged this problem, but has no solution at this time.

Note: at this time, I’m not gonna open the device up to swap out any hardware because it’s under warranty.

but if anyone has any software solutions, I’m all ears.

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Answer 10

den.thed

Level 10

94,392 points

Jun 20, 2025 3:34 PM in response to JmProjects

What' that doesn't sound right...?

At minimum they should have scheduled an Apple Store or AASP service appointment for you.

That doesn't sound right. What do they expect you to do, just use it as a doorstop and move on...?

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Answer 11

tlantlan

Level 1

8 points

Jun 21, 2025 7:03 PM in response to JmProjects

I am dealing with this same issue on my M4 Mini after a factory reset. Used the Apple USB-C cord, in the DFU ports, attempted restore with my MacBook M4 Pro multiple times, Error (21). Very frustrating and my Mini is a total brick now.

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Answer 12

JmProjects Author

Level 1

56 points

Jun 22, 2025 12:03 PM in response to woodmeister50

woodmeister50

About the T2 Chip, at first, I thought it was in Intel based on, but then I saw one article that did say that it T2 chip did fail on the silicone chip. It didn’t sound right, and I think you’re correct.

I thought T2 chips were only for the Intel base.

I will be setting up another appointment for the genius bar, regardless of the advice of the level two tech. Which leads to another question.

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Answer 13

JmProjects Author

Level 1

56 points

Jun 27, 2025 9:06 PM in response to helpus all

Thank you for your information. Sadly, I already dropped off the Mac before I could read this. You do bring up a good point. I did not have Xcode installed. I will definitely make a note and remember that if I encounter this problem again. Thank you so much.

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