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bootloop on sonoma

Hi, my laptop all of a sudden stopped working and when I restarted it I never managed to reach the desktop as I am stuck in infinite loop. Once I enter my user password the laptop just reboots.

I don't have any suspicious software installed on it + I have Norton antivirus to help me protect in that regard. No usb devices are plugged during my tests and I am out of ideas. I cannot even turn on the laptop so I can give you full details of the sonoma version etc... this is SUPER annoying and it happens for the 2nd time on my 3y old laptop!

The first time I reinstalled the OS and it was stuck for HOURS before I shut it down and restarted and then it was working miraculisously.

Now I've done the same thing and the sonoma was stuck on 1hr and 50 minutes remaining which I left overnight and nothing happened!!!

Why iOS Is so lame nowdays? How can I fix my new overprices laptop any suggestions???

MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Nov 18, 2024 3:47 AM

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9 replies

Nov 18, 2024 4:41 AM in response to denisfromsvishtov

Once this type of software is installed and embedded into the computer >> Norton antivirus <<


You can spend hours or days hunting down all the bits and pieces of this software and never really get it all off the computer 


Start Over from Scratch 


For Apple Silicon computer >> Use Disk Utility to erase a Mac with Apple silicon.


For Apple Intel computers >>   Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac followed by How to reinstall macOS


Always make a Time Machine Backup  before  proceeding 


If going this route - I suggest Not using Startup Assist to migrate everything back.


This will probably Re-Introduce ( Norton Antivirus ) back into the Operating System 

Nov 18, 2024 5:12 AM in response to denisfromsvishtov

Third Party Security Software 


There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 


The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that cannot be opened by the User nor by Third Party Applications.


The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.


Security. Built right in


Mac app security enhancements


The Built in Security  is all that is required to protect the computer.


Protecting against malware in macOS


IMHO - There has been sufficient advise offered for the User ( you ) to make an informed and educated choice what remedial actions are  required for this computer.


What the user ( you ) decides to do with this advise is really up to them


The suggestions have been put forth on a volunteer basis, in good faith and in the best interests of the computer.

Nov 18, 2024 7:02 AM in response to denisfromsvishtov

Will make a Technical assessment


Barring a Computer Hardware issue, which we can't rule out .


Doing a Re-installation from within Recovery Mode would lay down a fresh version of macOS 14.xx Sonoma over the Top of the Existing Installation


Sometimes referred to as an " In-Place Re-Installation "


In theory, it will not touch your Setting, preferences, personal data files etc.


It will generally also not touch, alter, modify or remove your already Installed Applications including " Norton antivirus "


Need we say more . This is not intended to be a flippant comment but rather a technical assessment




Nov 18, 2024 9:56 AM in response to denisfromsvishtov

What is the exact model of this Mac? I have a suspicion it is an M-series Mac from the way you described the issue. You can get the exact model by clicking the Apple menu & selecting "About This Mac", or if you cannot log in, then enter the system serial number on the check coverage page here (do not post the serial number on the forum since it is considered personal information):

Check Your Service and Support Coverage - Apple Support


If you erased the disk before resintalling macOS, then Norton is no longer the problem. If you did not erase it, then...yes, Norton could be at fault (or some other third party software).


You can always try booting into Safe Mode to see if it will allow you to finish booting & log in.


Nov 18, 2024 5:03 AM in response to PRP_53

I am sorry but I think that sounds pretty lame. I had this antivirus for about 3-4 months and the pc was working without any issue (apart from the annoying popups). Also the first time that happened I did not have any antivirus software installed on the laptop and exactly the same thing happened.

So, are you saying that the fragile ecosystem of apple can be destroyed by installing one legal software on it? Because that doesn't make any sense to me.

I appreciate your input on that but I rather get a solution without erasing my mac. Thanks.

Edit: I cannot backup anything with the time machine currently since I am stuck in the loop and have very limited options

Nov 18, 2024 2:22 PM in response to HWTech

FYI, I have seen multiple boot loops with the M-series Macs and they are indeed very frustrating since you are unable to detect any usable clues to figure out the problem unlike older Macs. However, I have found two things which can help:


Clear the NVRAM using the command line while booted into Recovery Mode:

nvram  -c


Sometimes a person may configure a legal setting through the GUI and a macOS update could break things (happened to my organization a couple of times). It happened to be a display related setting which prevented the system from booting or even showing video on the screen after a few boot loops. If it still won't boot & you cannot access the Startup Options screen again, then clear the NVRAM again, but this time choose Shutdown. I like to first press the Caps Lock key so its LED is lit so when the system powers down the LED will go out so I know when it is completely powered down. Then press & hold the power button to access the Startup Options screen.


The second thing which can sometimes help if you cannot even access the Startup Options screen would be to perform a DFU firmware Revive which resets the security enclave chip & system firmware. This may give you one chance to boot into the Startup Options screen....if the system tries to boot normally or even in Safe Mode, then it may pull in a setting & get stuck again until you perform another DFU firmware Revive. Unfortunately the DFU firmware Revive requires access to another Mac capable of running the latest version of macOS which at the moment is Sequoia. Again, after authenticating to "Activate the Mac" after the DFU firmware Revive, it is best to choose Shutdown if you wish to boot to the Startup Options screen.


Third item which can help is reinstalling macOS over top of itself. Most times this won't do anything because the OS system volume is now a read-only signed & sealed volume, but it must affect some unprotected boot or configuration files and possibly the NVRAM as well.


This all illustrates why backups are more important than ever before, because there are a lot more new ways to permanently lose access to the data stored on the internal SSD due to all the hardware, software, and security changes. The data many times will still be there, but there is no way to access the data.


Hope these tips may help you & others in the future.


bootloop on sonoma

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