MacBook Pro 13” frozen for three days after begin to install software update (15._)

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MacBook Pro 13” frozen for three days after begin to install software update (15._)

this question concerns my MacBook Pro 13 “ purchased April 2020. I began a software update, I’m in Sequoia, it was either in 15.5, or 15.6, going up one “point” (15.6 to 7, I think was it, not sure)

So, in Software update window in settings it said “Update Now” and below it it said “restart” - I hit “restart” (not sure if it was cos “update now” was grayed out.) (I’d been getting message “this will update tonight…etc” and it wasn’t doing it so I went to do manually Friday night (it’s Mon morning now)

please help, the screen has been frozen like this for three solid days. I haven’t wanted to do anything cos I’m afraid I’ll wipe out hard drive if I turn off (a warning from my brother).

And no, it’s not backed up, I’m an idiot, but so many life issues, and I’ve been dealing with backing up my dinosaur iMac with a new hard drive, as previous one died, this was next. This is my main computer now tho.

I don’t want to lose everything.

hoping someone can help.

Posted on Jan 19, 2026 7:04 AM

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Answer 1

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leroydouglas

Level 10

199,416 points

Jan 19, 2026 10:39 AM in response to jcleveland

jcleveland wrote:

MacBook Pro 13” frozen for three days after begin to install software update (15._)

this question concerns my MacBook Pro 13 “ purchased April 2020. I began a software update, I’m in Sequoia, it was either in 15.5, or 15.6, going up one “point” (15.6 to 7,

You must have the patience of a Saint... you would expect about 45 minutes; if it is stuck

Force quit a shutdown by holding the power button/TouchID for ~6-10 sec.

Force Shut down your Mac— restart and see where it leaves you...

Log out, sleep, wake, restart or shut down your Mac

Shut down or restart your Mac - Apple Support

If a restart does not show your updated to 15.7.3 then I would try the update again from a SafeBoot environment:

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

login and try your update again.

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Answer 2

Jan 20, 2026 6:40 AM in response to jcleveland

jcleveland wrote:

Thank you!!! My brother had really put the fear of God into me. It started up, and gave me what it did before in system settings, see pic. I clicked “Restart Now” and got the frozen progress bar.

bit afraid to attempt again…so BACKING UP first, going on the [evil but necessary] Amazon to get external hard drive (the size of a peanut, actually less), recommendation? I got a 2TB SSK SD450 for iMac. (Have 122GB of 250GB left on laptop, 1TB enuf?)

Backing up is good. Always! 👍🏽 And for your Mac 1 TB should be plenty for a backup drive.

I've been happy with my Samsung external drives bought at Amazon. This SanDisk model speaks to me in the 1 TB size: SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Amazon

Many here in the Community will recommend external drives from OWC/macsales.com

SHOULD I even try again? Nervous. I realize this is an old laptop, can’t afford any more computers right now. (I can provide other pics if you need.)

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/d88226ba-be00-4969-8c1e-6f1000b06725

Yes, you should try again.

You might first, though, apply the upgrade for Safari, if for no other reason than to assure yourself that the update process will work on something right now.

Then, after a reboot, try again to update the OS. This time keeping 🤞🏽🙂.

Our friend, @leroydouglas, has provided good guidance when they suggest attempting your update while booted in safe mode. Give that a try.

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Answer 3

Jan 19, 2026 8:21 AM in response to jcleveland

Press and hold the power button until the computer shuts down.

Then momentarily press the power button to restart the computer. With luck, the update will complete and you can get back to using your Mac.

This is your only recourse at this point.

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Answer 4

jcleveland Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 19, 2026 10:23 AM in response to D.I. Johnson

Thank you!!! My brother had really put the fear of God into me. It started up, and gave me what it did before in system settings, see pic. I clicked “Restart Now” and got the frozen progress bar.

bit afraid to attempt again…so BACKING UP first, going on the [evil but necessary] Amazon to get external hard drive (the size of a peanut, actually less), recommendation? I got a 2TB SSK SD450 for iMac. (Have 122GB of 250GB left on laptop, 1TB enuf?)

SHOULD I even try again? Nervous. I realize this is an old laptop, can’t afford any more computers right now. (I can provide other pics if you need.)

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Answer 5

jcleveland Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 20, 2026 5:31 AM in response to leroydouglas

Hi LeroyDouglas

ya I kinda do have patience of a saint, been a piano teacher going on 38 years…”ok Susie, let’s take that again [for the 9th time]…”

I want to backup before trying update again, need to get now a hub [sigh] as well, as the ‘newer’ (I’m from the Stone Age, when a floppy disk with 32K storage blew our minds) ports are non-usb, and the other one has my fan in it, then I can put a backup drive in.

really appreciate Apple discussions where I can get any answer asked, thanks to you both. You also must have patience too !

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