Suddenly cannot start-up/log in: "SDErrorDomain error 104"

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Level 1

135 points

Suddenly cannot start-up/log in: "SDErrorDomain error 104"

Hi:

Very weird behavior from my Mac today. Suddenly, without any changes on my part, I cannot start-up or log in.

I almost always leave my Mac running overnight. This morning when I tried to log in, after wiggling the mouse, I got my personalized log in page (custom background etc.), entered the PW as usual, and then, instead of unlocking my Mac, saw a progress bar that progressed to ~10% done and then froze[1]. After about 2 or 3 minutes, my screen went black, but the keys on my keypad stayed lit. The computer then stays in this state.

So, I restarted my Mac (hold top right key for ~5 or 10 seconds) and the Mac/keyboard turns off.

Then I restart the Mac (quick press of top right key) and I get a black screen with white Apple logo and a quickly progressing progress bar [2] that leads me back to my custom log in page.

Then the whole process goes as above, again and again.

The Mac recognizes my keyboard, cuz if I enter the wrong PW at the custom log in page I get the usual wrong password response. If I put in the correct password it takes it, but then immediately goes to the frozen 10% complete progress bar.

So then I boot into Recovery mode and run Disk Utility [A] which goes fine [B] (I got a successful Disk Utility First Aid run on both Internal > MBP M1 14" HD volumes AND Disk Images > macOS Base System).

Then I go to Apple Menu > Startup Disk [C], go thru the process [D-E], and see “SDErrorDomain error 104” [F].

I can reboot out of Recovery mode, but the above problem remains.

The only change to software/system in about a month is that about 3 days ago I downloaded and started using iDrive backup (https://www.idrive.com).

I know enough about Macs to be dangerous, but am far from competent.

Any advice to fix this would be very welcome; I’m completely stumped :(

Thank you!

MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

macOS Sonoma 14.7

MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

Posted on Jan 18, 2025 12:16 PM

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Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

62,168 points

Jan 18, 2025 9:32 PM in response to CharPatton

Try running First Aid on the physical SSD and hidden Container. Within Disk Utility click "View" and select "Show All Devices" so that the physical drive and hidden Container appears on the left pane of Disk Utility. Run First Aid first on the physical SSD, then on the hidden Container. Even if the First Aid summary says everything is "Ok", click "Show Details" and scroll through the report to see if any errors are listed. If there are errors, then run First Aid again until they are gone. If after several scans the errors remain, then they cannot be fixed and you will need to perform a clean install of macOS by first erasing the disk (destroys all data on the drive) followed by installing macOS & restoring your data from a backup.

Ignore the Disk Images since they are just the macOS installer.

You can try booting into Safe Mode which will prevent the automatic launching of third party software during boot & login. If Safe Mode works, then it most likely means you have an issue with some third party software.

FYI, you are a bit behind on macOS updates.....I believe Monterey is up to 12.7.6.

If none of this works, then you may want to try a DFU Firmware Revive which resets the security enclave & system firmware.

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