Mac OS Sequoia 15.1.1 Update Bricked M1 Mac Mini

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Level 1

8 points

Mac OS Sequoia 15.1.1 Update Bricked M1 Mac Mini

2 nights ago I initiated an update on my 2020 Mac Mini (16gb / 1TB / 10gbe). The update proceeded as normal with the apple Logo and a progress bar, however in the morning the status LED was blinking red. Tried Many things and all failed. All result in the startup chime followed by some white blinks and then a red blinking light:

Starting in recovery (cmd+r on startup)
Holding the power button when plugging it into the wall
Entering DFU mode and using my 2019 MBP 16" (i9 / 32GB / 1TB) to restore/revive (tried many times with multiple cables and always got the error "libusbrestore error:21")
Finally called apple support where we tried the same things. Appointment scheduled for the Apple Store.

Today I went to the Apple Store and they strongly think it's a hardware issue and would then cost me $ to fix a machine purchased 2yrs and 5days before failure. I'm still waiting to hear back (another 2-3 days), however I thought I'd post here in case anyone else is having the same issue.

I've been a very long supporter of Apple and have MANY Apple devices without issue, but forcing customers to pay for hardware failures that are a result of a software update is completely unacceptable and may turn me away from apple forever. After all, a windows error never resulted in a hardware failure. just 30 minutes to re-install/re-image the machine and I'm back up and running.

Anyhow, does anyone have any ideas on how to fix it? I refuse to pay for a repair caused by a software issue. (I know some will say it might have been a hardware issue before the update. It was running fine before the update.)

Mac mini

Posted on Nov 21, 2024 5:32 PM

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Answer 1

steve626

Level 6

11,507 points

Nov 21, 2024 9:10 PM in response to Taylortnr4

Taylortnr4 wrote:

Anyhow, does anyone have any ideas on how to fix it? I refuse to pay for a repair caused by a software issue. (I know some will say it might have been a hardware issue before the update.

Installing an update basically involves removing (deleting) scores of files and coping scores of others into specific folders. (In some cases there can be a firmware update as well.) There is considerable disk activity, the processors are very busy, the internal temperature may rise, and this can stress the hardware more than "quiescent" activity of normal use. This is one reason sometimes hardware failures can occur during software installations or software updates. So you might be right that the update triggered a hardware failure.

You were unlucky because ordinarily a Mac can last 5 or 10 years or more. To protect against this, many of us obtain Applecare+. I have 2010 and 2013 MacBook Airs that are still running. All my newer Macs have Applecare+, which probably costs more over many years and multiple Macs than an occasional repair, but I get it anyway.

The only way to fix it is to open the computer and replace the failed parts.

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Answer 2

Nov 24, 2024 4:48 PM in response to Sleeping_Beauty_

Mac OS Sequoia 15.1.1 Update has resulted in my monitors turning black for 5 seconds (blink) and then turned back on every couple of minutes. It is extremely frustrating. It started immediately after the automatic update. And I am now writing this using a windows PC because I can no longer use my Mac it is too annoying that the screen pause and go black every couple of minutes.

If the software caused a hardware issue shouldn't be the responsibility of apple to correct? I'm actually surprised how fast my PC as compared to my Mac maybe this changes for the best.

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Answer 3

Taylortnr4 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 24, 2024 5:13 PM in response to Taylortnr4

Update on Original Post: Got a call, it was a software (firmware issue) where my Mac was stuck in an update loop. No charge, however they did say if it was hardware, even if a result of a software update, it would not be covered. They explained this is because it's impossible to tell what truly caused it to fail.

Overall a very frustrating experience as the nearest Apple Store is, by maps, 50+ minutes away and I wasn't;t able to use the tools apple provided to fix it.

Either way, I'm glad it's working and the whole experience has got me questioning the stability of Apple software. I've never been afraid of Apple updates until now.

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Answer 4

Nov 21, 2024 9:21 PM in response to Taylortnr4

I wouldn't want to pay for that neither. But maybe you should just pay if it's cheaper than getting a new device. Is it?

[Edited by Moderator]

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