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Update 10.12.6 crashes computer

I have tried to install the update now twice both times my computer crashed. I restored from Time Machine. What could the reason be the update crashed my computer?


MacBook Pro Early 2011

16GB Ram

Core i5

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011), macOS Sierra (10.12.5), 16GB Ram, Core i5

Posted on Aug 17, 2017 9:40 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 17, 2017 10:28 PM

Possible Fixes for El Capitan or Later

You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
  2. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  3. Start the computer in Safe Mode, then restart normally. This is slower than a standard startup.
  4. Repair the disk by booting the from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list. Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  5. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button below Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  6. Install Combo Updater Download 10.12.6 Combo Update and install.
  7. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
  8. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the CommandandRkeys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
  1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
  2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.
  3. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  4. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  7. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.
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Aug 17, 2017 10:28 PM in response to Malé

Possible Fixes for El Capitan or Later

You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
  2. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  3. Start the computer in Safe Mode, then restart normally. This is slower than a standard startup.
  4. Repair the disk by booting the from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list. Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  5. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button below Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  6. Install Combo Updater Download 10.12.6 Combo Update and install.
  7. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
  8. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the CommandandRkeys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
  1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
  2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.
  3. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  4. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  7. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.
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Aug 20, 2017 9:23 PM in response to Malé

Same problem (2011 Mac mini 5,2). I get get a white/gray screen on startup. Only thing that works is moving the mouse cursor with the mouse. I have to power down by holding the power button for 5 seconds.


I can boot into recovery mode, single-user mode, and run Apple Hardware Test. I've tried reinstalling the os. The only thing that works is to use Time Machine to completely restore the hard drive to its state before upgrading to Mac OS 10.12.6.


I've done this 3 times now! Sticking with 10.12.5 until someone tells me it's safe to update again!


Would the combo updater work? or is it the same as the update through the online recovery disk? (Command-Option-R at startup)

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Aug 21, 2017 2:02 PM in response to DrWhy

The combo update installs all previous updates plus the new one, which can replace any files that may have become corrupted. The Apple Store only installs the new changes. Internet Recovery should be a full installation of the newest version of mac OS Sierra.

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Aug 21, 2017 2:54 PM in response to Eric Root

Thanks!


I upgraded via the App Store...didn't work. So I tried to reinstall Mac OS Sierra via Internet Recovery... didn't work. Only solution that worked was to restore my entire Time Machine backup (a 7-8 hour process) with Mac OS Sierra 10.12.5.


Since Internet Recovery is the full installation of 10.12.6, I think I'll wait until 10.12.7 comes out.

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Oct 5, 2017 2:28 AM in response to Malé

Recently, two different model macbook's which I updated to 10.12.6 has crashed and totally died after using 2 weeks of time.


I started feeling that this update can brick your h/w. Both computers were taken to Authorized Apple Service center, after initial analyze both computers were diagnosed as software issue offered OS X re-install service, but after trying OS X reinstall, service failed to install OS X and then logic board replacement is offered.

I took both computers to Premium Apple Service center, again same story, first they are diagnosed as OS X issue (via Apple Diagnostic Tool of service) but then when re-install is tried, again logic board replacement is offered.


So seems like there is some new weird issue happening with 10.12.6 😟


Anyone having similar issue?

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Nov 2, 2017 1:21 AM in response to aytekdorken

Yup, my MacBook Air (mid 2012) just hung when I tried updating recently (we'd been away, so some delay in installing). So I restored from time machine - fine - and then tried updating again. Same result. So now I'm just waiting for the next update (esp. having now read everyone's been off to the stores and it's no joy 😎)

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Update 10.12.6 crashes computer

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