Mac Monterey Has Boot Problems? 6 Fixes Available

Is your Mac Monterey refusing to boot? Are you stuck on the Apple logo? Understandably, you feel frustrated and anxious over the macOS Monterey boot problems. However, plenty of solutions can help you resolve the macOS Monterey problems.

Explanation: macOS Monterey Boot Problems

Before we delve deeper into the problems, it is vital to understand what is causing macOS Monterey boot problems. If we know more about the root cause, it will be easy to apply the right solution.

Various reasons can lead to the macOS Monterey having boot problems. These are –

• Update not found
• Monterey installation failed
• Mac Monterey update stuck
• Mac freezes when it boots up
• Lack of power
• Connected devices
• Corrupted hard drive

Identifying the problem will take time, but you can quickly move ahead with the solutions once it's done. The following section will discuss the different solutions you can adopt.

Solve Mac Monterey Boot Problems in 6 Ways

Fortunately, you can resolve the macOS Monterey boot problems in multiple ways. However, before you go ahead, make sure to safeguard your data. Sometimes, data loss happens, and you must be prepared for that situation. That is why it is advisable to keep a backup of valuable data.

Now, let's take a look at these solutions –

Fix 1. Reinstall macOS Monterey

One of the easiest solutions to fixing the macOS Monterey boot problems is reinstalling the operating system. For this, there are some simple steps you need to follow –

Step 1. Go to the "Apple menu". Click the "Restart" option.

Step 2. Wait for the system to shut down.

Step 3. Now, press Command and R keys and hold them during booting, and it will lead to the Recovery window.

Step 4. From there, choose the "Reinstall macOS" option.

Step 5. Wait for the OS to be downloaded.

Step 6. Now, install the right macOS for the system.

Note: Reinstalling the macOS is a great idea, and it's the simplest solution. However, you need to have a backup of data. You can use Mac Time Machine or ensure you have copied it to an external drive, and Resetting the Mac could lead to data loss.

Fix 2. Downgrade to Older macOS Version

Another potential solution is to downgrade your system from Monterey to Big Sur. It is the best solution if you cannot get past the booting phase of Monterey.

Here are the steps to follow –

Step 1. Turn off the system. Please turn it on.

Step 2. Press Shift + Option + Cmd + R and hold them. macOS Recovery mode loads and will take some time.

Step 3. You will see the macOS Utilities box on the screen. Opt for the "Reinstall macOS" option. Choose "Continue". Follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 4. Select startup disk. Click "Install".

Step 5. Follow the instructions to complete the process.

Note: This downgrade process is for Intel-based Macs. Besides, it is only possible if the Mac has an older version installed originally. You will also need a stable internet connection as there is a need to download the previous version. Remember that the startup disk will be erased, so data backup is critical.

Fix 3. Run Disk Utility

Another solution to opt for is to run Disk Utility. For this, you need to enter the Recovery mode.

Take a look at the steps given below –

Step 1. Press the Power button.

Step 2. Press the Command and R keys and hold them.

Step 3. When you come across the Apple logo, release the keys.

Step 4. After booting, you will see the macOS Utilities window.

Step 5. Here, choose the "Disk Utility" option.

Step 6. After that, choose the drive.

Step 7. Click on "First Aid" to start the repair process.

Fix 4. Reset NVRAM/PRAM

You can try resetting NVRAM/PRAM to fix the Mac Monterey booting issues. NVRAM or PRAM is the memory part containing settings that need quick access.

Here are the steps users need to follow –

Step 1. Press the Power button.

Step 2. Press the Option, Command, P, and R keys.

Step 3. Don't release the pressed keys until you hear the startup sound again.

In the case of Macs with T3 chips, release the keys when you see the Apple logo disappearing for the second time.

Fix 5. Use Safe Mode

Booting into safe mode is another excellent solution. However, this fix will primarily work if the system shows the display at least. For the older Macs, you need to press the Power button. After that, press the Shift key, hold it, and release it only when you see the login screen.

You need to turn it off for Macs that run on Apple Silicon. After that, press the Power button and hold it till you come across the Startup Options screen. Now, choose the main drive and tap the Shift key. Click the "Continue in Safe Mode" Option.

The safe mode runs multiple diagnostic tests to see what is causing the issue. If you can boot into safe mode successfully, the culprit is an external factor such as a new app or hardware.

Fix 6. Reset SMC

Did you know resetting the SMC can also help in resolving boot problems? SMC or System Management Controller controls various essential functions of the system.

Check out the steps you need to adopt –

For Macs with the T2 Security Chip:

Step 1. Press the Shift, Option, and Control keys and hold them briefly.

Step 2. While holding them, press and hold the Power button.

Step 3. After a few seconds, release the keys. Restart the system.

For Intel-based Macs:

Step 1. Remove the power cord.

Step 2. Wait for a few seconds.

Step 3. Put the cord back in.

Step 4. Wait again for some seconds. Restart the Mac.

The above fixes are the tested solutions for Mac Monterey boot problems. If you consider this post helpful and useful, please share this article on social media platforms.

How to Recover Data When Monterey Has Boot Issues

Several users have reported the boot issues of Monterey. As such, they either reinstall the macOS or create the Monterey USB installer on Mac. However, it is vital to remember that critical data loss can happen. In that case, the ideal solution is to opt for a specialized data recovery tool for data security.

One of the most professional data recovery tools is the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. It is a powerful data recovery program designed to help recover lost data. Irrespective of the reason for data loss, this software can aid in returning the data. The situations could be file system malfunction, system crashes, etc. It also supports recovering deleted files on Mac.

Moreover, using this recovery tool is easy. The user-friendly interface allows one to use it to restore data without much hassle.

Step 1. Install and run EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac on another Mac computer, and select "Unbootable Mac > Start".

Step 2. Then, choose a prepared USB drive to create the bootable disc. Select "Next" to start creating the bootable disk.

Step 3. The program starts to create a 2GB space and save the boot files. The rest space on the USB can be still used for storage.

Step 4. Once it completes, please follow the guide to boot the corrupted Mac from the bootable disc and start the recovery. We suggest you restore the data to an external hard drive.

Step 5. After booting the Mac, launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. Select the disk location (an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device) where you lost data and files. Then, this recovery tool will scan for lost files automatically.

Conclusion

Are you frustrated with your Mac Monterey having boot problems? Many users have reported that upgrading the system led to such issues. However, other reasons exist, such as a damaged hard drive, lack of power, etc. Luckily, several solutions can help you resolve the matter.

For instance, you can reset NVRAM or SMC. You can also use safe mode or reinstall macOS. However, it is essential to understand that data loss might occur. In that case, you need to opt for professional data recovery software. The EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is Haven'tnt and user-friendly and aids in retrieving data, regardless of type.

Haven't you tried EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac yet? Install it today!

Mac Monterey Boot Problems FAQs

These are the different fixes users can apply to resolve the macOS Monterey boot problems. However, it is a good idea to have more knowledge. For that, take a look at the questions and answers below -

1. Why is my Mac having trouble updating to Monterey?

Various reasons can lead to the Mac having trouble updating to Monterey. The system could be incompatible with the OS version you want to install. Other causes include lack of space, absence of installed Apple disk, etc.

2. Why is my Mac taking so long to update macOS Monterey?

Multiple reasons can lead to the Mac update taking forever. It could be due to the slow internet connection or the size of the system, and other causes include disk space and the version of macOS you currently have.

3. What to do if Mac is stuck updating?

If the Mac is stuck updating, there are various solutions you can apply. You can restart the system or check the internet connection, and you must also check if the issue is with your system or the Apple servers.

4. How to fix the macOS Monterey update stuck with less than a minute remaining?

To fix the macOS Monterey update stuck with less than a minute remaining, press the power button and hold it for ten seconds. Then wait for the system to turn off and turn it on.

If the issue remains, you must reopen the system and disconnect all devices. You can also use Disk Utility to repair the startup disk.