What to do if macOS has stopped working: reasons and solutions
Sometimes after an update, reinstallation, or due to errors, macOS may stop launching. The most common scenario is a successful update, but after rebooting... MacBook freezes on the screen with the Apple logo. This usually happens due to lack of space or system failures.
Symptoms of the problem
- Black screen with white Apple logo.
- The download process stops in the middle or does not start at all.
- The computer does not respond to reboots or login attempts. Recovery mode.
Why is this happening?
- Not enough free disk space
When installing updates, macOS requires a significant amount of free space. If there is not enough, the update may fail, leaving the system in an unstable state. - Errors during update
Incorrect installation of system files, network failures, or power outages during an update may compromise the integrity of the operating system. - Hardware problems
In some cases, freezing on the logo may be due to damage to the storage device or RAM. - Third party software
Outdated drivers or applications that conflict with a new version of macOS can cause boot errors.
How to Restore macOS and Save Data
- Creating a backup copy
To avoid losing important information, use data recovery programs such as Disk Drill or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.- Connect your Mac to another device via Target Disk Mode or use an external drive.
- Copy important files if the system is partially accessible.
- Entering Recovery Mode
- Restart your Mac and hold the combination Command (⌘) + R, until a window appears macOS Utilities.
- Try using the option Disk Utilityto check and fix errors on the disk.
- Reinstalling macOS
- If repairing the disk does not help, select the option Reinstall macOS in the utilities menu.
- For more complex cases, create installation media on USB using the command createinstallmedia in the Terminal.
- Recovering data after reinstallation
- After successfully reinstalling macOS, use a previously created backup or restore data via Time Machine.
- If there is no backup, connect an external drive and use file recovery programs.
- Contacting specialists
If you are unable to resolve the problem yourself, contact a certified service center. Experts will be able to diagnose the problem and restore the device to working order.
How to prevent such failures?
- Clean your disk regularly, leaving at least 20-30% free space.
- Before installing updates, create backups via Time Machine or other cloud services.
- Make sure all third-party apps and drivers are compatible with the new version of macOS.
- Check your disk health periodically using utilities such as Disk Utility or DriveDx.
Conclusion
A macOS crash is an unpleasant but solvable problem. The main thing is to act quickly and carefully to save important data and restore the system without loss. Order MacBook repairIf you are not confident in your abilities, it is always better to trust the professionals.
