suniljambore wrote:
My Mac Mini M4 suddenly stopped functioning during a software update. After it crashed, I began receiving back-to-back errors.
Do you happen to remember the error messages?
What version of macOS was installed & what OS update/upgrade were you installing?
We haven't seen any wide spread reports on hardware failing due to an OS update or upgrade (the last one I can recall was with the MBPro 2014 models and Big Sur IIRC). Of course any time the system firmware is updated, there is always a slight risk of bricking the system, however, Apple does provide a DFU Firmware Revive/Restore process that should alleviate most of those cases. Chances are your Mini had a latent hardware issue that was only revealed by the update/upgrade accessing something that had not been accessed before (or regularly). I see this on older computers when people reinstall the same OS & find the Hard Drive is suddenly bad....the HD was probably failing for a long time before, but the user never noticed it.
Unfortunately we will never know what happened to your Mini. Even if Apple knew for sure what occurred, they probably wouldn't tell due to their culture of secrecy. Always very frustrating regardless.
Having been a dedicated member of the Apple ecosystem for over a decade, this was my first time visiting a physical Apple Store to resolve a hardware issue. I went to the Apple Hebbal Genius Bar with high expectations for a "premium" service experience. Instead, I was met with some of the most unprofessional and lazy service I have ever encountered.
The staff didn't even attempt a genuine repair or a deep diagnostic. Their immediate "solution" was to declare the hardware dead and demand a high, seemingly arbitrary sum of money for a full replacement. For a machine that failed during an official update, the lack of effort to actually troubleshoot the DFU failure was unacceptable.
Did they try a DFU Firmware Restore?
Was this an official Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider? I've seen people post here that support in some regions is a joke. You can try contacting the regional Apple corporate office to lodge a complaint against this store/repair shop. If no response or a poor response, then you could also contact Apple corporate US to report an issue with regional support.
Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple
Usually the issue will be with the Logic Board, but one can never rule out a power issue.
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/d82f87c5-7e9d-4cd1-93a1-6b3f14ec45ea
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/9f0bdce4-6d63-4faa-be8f-59ea80fd3e93
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/fbc9c580-c9a7-4969-8f9a-a810972e98bd
Unfortunately Apple rarely provides any explanation for any error messages or codes. The last photo is a very rare case of Apple providing some details.
It is also very difficult to perform a DFU Firmware Revive/Restore. If you performed a DFU Firmware Restore yourself.....on the host Mac did you change the "Allow Accessories to Connect" option in the "Privacy & Security" System Settings to "Allow when unlocked" (exact wording varies between versions of macOS....because why have a standard), or "Always Allow" (the latter is insecure, but Ok while performing a DFU Firmware Revive/Restore)? This setting is only on an Apple Silicon laptop.
I also find it best to use the Apple Configurator app for this process....especially if the host Mac is not running the latest OS which at this time is macOS 26.x Tahoe. And I think only macOS 15.7+ Sequoia is the only other older OS that can be used for this process as long as Apple Configurator is used.
