User profile for user: N35T1
N35T1 Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

M1 MacBook Pro stuck in Boot Loop (during login)

My M1 MacBook Pro from 2021 is stuck in a boot loop after updating to Sequoia 15.4.


I can boot up to the login screen and enter my password. The loading bar will appear and slowly progress but the Mac will turn off and reboot to the Apple Logo and progress bar at some point. After that it then returns to the login screen.


Things I tried so far:

  • Starting in safe mode (shows same behaviour)
  • Using Disk Utility and First Aid (shows among other things „warning: physical_size (XYZ) of dir-stats object (id XYZ) is greater than expected (XYZ)“ but will conclude with „appears to be OK.“
  • Revive Feature with Apple Configurator on a second Mac (finishes and I can Authenticate my Account via Password –goes back to login screen)


I shut it off and tried numerous times and also tried waiting in between tries. It still shows the same behaviour and I can’t get past the loading screen.


I do have a Time Machine Backup on my NAS, but since it’s a 2TB MacBook, restoring it would probably take forever. So this would be an absolute last resort.






MacBook Pro 16″

Posted on Apr 6, 2025 5:25 PM

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User profile for user: N35T1
N35T1 Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Apr 6, 2025 7:23 PM in response to John Galt

Unfortunately John, both of those scenarios aren’t the case here. It boots up to the login screen (including my wallpaper) and only after entering the password and progressing to about 50% it will jump back to the Apple logo and its progress bar to ultimately return to the login screen…

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User profile for user: John Galt
John Galt
User level: Level 10
151,262 points

Apr 6, 2025 6:58 PM in response to N35T1

If your Mac doesn't start up all the way - Apple Support describes that particular problem in If your Mac starts up to an Apple logo or progress bar - Apple Support. "If your Mac is stuck on this screen or keeps restarting" is applicable.


Restoring the TM backup is probably not worthwhile since TM no longer backs up macOS itself. In lieu of that ability reinstalling macOS is appropriate; addressed in the latter Support document. Step 7.


If that doesn't help, proceed with:


"If your Mac continues to start up to an Apple logo or progress bar, it might need service. Get service."

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User profile for user: John Galt
John Galt
User level: Level 10
151,262 points

Apr 6, 2025 7:33 PM in response to N35T1

That is what I interpret "If your Mac is stuck on this screen or keeps restarting" to mean. It's a moot point though, assuming you performed each one of the seven steps in If your Mac starts up to an Apple logo or progress bar - Apple Support, and you exhausted all the potential remedies you described earlier, it leads to "If your Mac continues to start up to an Apple logo or progress bar, it might need service. Get service."

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User profile for user: N35T1
N35T1 Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Apr 6, 2025 8:07 PM in response to John Galt

Well, in the meantime I formatted the disk through disk utility and reinstalled MacOS only to be told upon startup that…surprise…MacOS supposedly has to be reinstalled.


I really don’t understand how this machine could potentially need serious service. I just worked till I updated and now it’s practically bricked. I always care for my tools and devices and this MacBook is in absolute pristine condition. No drops, scratches, dents,… heck not even fingerprints on the screen. – And now it’s just broken?

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M1 MacBook Pro stuck in Boot Loop (during login)

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