Security Update 2020-004 Won't Install

[maccattacc]

Hi all,

I've downloaded the latest security update from the Mac App Store. It's update 2020-004. My MacBook Pro is running on High Sierra (10.13.6). When I try restarting my computer to install the update, it gets stuck during the shut down process on a black screen with just a movable cursor. Nothing happens from there. This now takes place every time I shut down or restart my computer (I'm guessing because it's attempting to install the update).

I have a Late 2011, 13-inch Macbook Pro (2.4 GHz Intel Core i5). I replaced the original hard drive with a Samsung 850 EVO and upgraded the ram to 16gb (1333 MHz DDR3) years ago. Everything seems to be working fine besides this software installation issue.

If anyone has any insight on how I can get this security update to install I'd really appreciate it. Feel free to ask me any questions for more information.

Thanks!!

 

[carylee2002]

This update has issues. Especially if your running older computers. If you want to upload still...I would upload directly from Apple vs using the update in your App Store. Make sure you backup everything before update.

 

[Nermal]

There have been a few threads about this issue but no solutions. However, as a workaround, you can shut down or restart via Terminal.

sudo shutdown -h now to shut down
sudo shutdown -r now to restart

 

[maccattacc]

This update has issues. Especially if your running older computers. If you want to upload still...I would upload directly from Apple vs using the update in your App Store. Make sure you backup everything before update.

There have been a few threads about this issue but no solutions. However, as a workaround, you can shut down or restart via Terminal.

sudo shutdown -h now to shut down
sudo shutdown -r now to restart

Yeah that really seems to be the case. I've tried downloading and installing directly from Apple's site with still no luck. I'm gonna just sit this update out.

Also, thank you for the useful Terminal commands!

 

[ERHiMac]

I too have this problem - every morning my mid-2010 27" iMac has a blank screen (black) with the cursor in the upper left corner after a daily early AM attempt to install 2020-004 update! In this state I can still move the cursor about, change the brightness & volume levels. I have nothing connected other than the Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad. I have checked the SSD from within MacOS recovery, all OK, reinstalled HS 10.13.6 (does this not include all recent updates??!?) but to no avail - still restarts to the initial conditions stated earlier with the 2020-004 update still required as indicated in the App Store/Updates section. The only way out is to power down and the power back on. I have tried doing the update whilst in Safe Mode and from a virgin new administrator account; also form a directly downloaded version from Apple support rather then that via App Store/Update. Otherwise all works absolutely fine!! I've even allowed over 24 hours for the update to potentially `work'. I have now run out of ideas, as well as hair!! Any other suggestions/clues appreciated.

 

[lbe]

I installed the 2020-004 update from the appstore on my mid 2010 imac 27 August 23 and have so far not experienced any issues

 

[ERHiMac]

This is the first issue I’ve had in the 10 years (next month) I’ve had the iMac. The MacBook (late 2009) took 2 attempts though.

 

[maccattacc]

I too have this problem - every morning my mid-2010 27" iMac has a blank screen (black) with the cursor in the upper left corner after a daily early AM attempt to install 2020-004 update! In this state I can still move the cursor about, change the brightness & volume levels. I have nothing connected other than the Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad. I have checked the SSD from within MacOS recovery, all OK, reinstalled HS 10.13.6 (does this not include all recent updates??!?) but to no avail - still restarts to the initial conditions stated earlier with the 2020-004 update still required as indicated in the App Store/Updates section. The only way out is to power down and the power back on. I have tried doing the update whilst in Safe Mode and from a virgin new administrator account; also form a directly downloaded version from Apple support rather then that via App Store/Update. Otherwise all works absolutely fine!! I've even allowed over 24 hours for the update to potentially `work'. I have now run out of ideas, as well as hair!! Any other suggestions/clues appreciated.

Dang. That's literally exactly the same thing that's going on with mine. Sorry to hear you're having those issues. I've also tried everything that you've tried. Still no luck. I shut down and restart my computer with Terminal now to avoid the black screen with the cursor. Unlike your computer, mine doesn't attempt to install the software every morning. The update is just sitting in the Mac App Store.

 

[carylee2002]

Check if you have filevault is set to on. I know when loading my Mojove..they emphasized this is turned off. Maybe that may be the case.

 

[maccattacc]

My filevault is set to off

 

[carylee2002]

My filevault is set to off

ok..FYI...When I first updated to 04 on HS...it took a long time for the system to bootup, the same goes true when I upgraded to Mojave and it's 04 update...up to 20 minutes on SSD drives. I take it has a lot of indexing so the time really tripled for me till the system finally booted up. Overall....it's slow and I regret even upgrading to Mojave. HS was better before the 04 security update.

 

[maccattacc]

ok..FYI...When I first updated to 04 on HS...it took a long time for the system to bootup, the same goes true when I upgraded to Mojave and it's 04 update...up to 20 minutes on SSD drives. I take it has a lot of indexing so the time really tripled for me till the system finally booted up. Overall....it's slow and I regret even upgrading to Mojave. HS was better before the 04 security update.

Interesting! I will keep this in mind

 

[maccattacc]

UPDATE

I tried installing the new 2020-005 update and ran in to the exact same issues. Still no luck. I haven't attempted everything I did with 2020-004, but my assumption is that the problem will still remain regardless.

 

[ERHiMac]

UPDATE

I tried installing the new 2020-005 update and ran in to the exact same issues. Still no luck. I haven't attempted everything I did with 2020-004, but my assumption is that the problem will still remain regardless.

Ah, so did you finally get -004 to install?? I'm still stuck with having to power down each morning after a failed -004 update but with cursor movement, brightness & volume adjust working OK but NO DISPLAY just a blank screen. I've left it over 24 hours to update since there seems a consensus that the update takes a very long time - no change!I think my next step is to do a virgin install after `wiping' the SSD!!

 

[ERHiMac]

UPDATE

I tried installing the new 2020-005 update and ran in to the exact same issues. Still no luck. I haven't attempted everything I did with 2020-004, but my assumption is that the problem will still remain regardless.

So, I assume you managed to get the 2020-004 update to install - how did you manage that in the end? I have had no success despite leaving it to `do its thing' for many hours since there are accounts of the update taking a long time to install. I still have to resort in a morning to a power off/on regimen to get a picture; the cursor is at the top-left of a black screen, with both brightness and volume change capability!! I think my next step is to do a couple install on to a `wiped' SSD - oh joy!!

 

[maccattacc]

So, I assume you managed to get the 2020-004 update to install - how did you manage that in the end? I have had no success despite leaving it to `do its thing' for many hours since there are accounts of the update taking a long time to install. I still have to resort in a morning to a power off/on regimen to get a picture; the cursor is at the top-left of a black screen, with both brightness and volume change capability!! I think my next step is to do a couple install on to a `wiped' SSD - oh joy!!

Nope I actually didn't manage to get 2020-004 to install! I thought maybe 2020-005 would work better but it didn't. I just power down or restart my Mac now using Terminal. Best of luck to you!

 

[ERHiMac]

Well, well, well - I came to the iMac this morning and it was asking for my login password and NOT stuck on a black screen with the cursor up in the top left corner!! Therefore, for some inexplicable reason, the 2020-004 update has installed - it only took from about the middle of August. Now, do I follow on very quickly with the -005 update? I've just done it on our 2009 MacBook with no problems/issues etc. So,`flushed with success'(!) with 004 on the iMac I ma give it a go - I'll report back.

 

[ERHiMac]

Just tried to do the 2020-005 update - exactly the same as the -004!! Maybe it'll load/install all by itself in a few weeks, just like the -004!! Come on Apple, there must be a problem here!!??!!

 

[lbe]

Are your filesystem Mac OS extended or APFS?

 

[ERHiMac]

Disk Utility indicates that my `iMac SSD' is an `APFS Volume'! I believe `APFS' was introduced with High Sierra or maybe Sierra before it - why please?

 

[maccattacc]

Mine is APFS too! Sucks that you're stuck with the same problem after 2020-004 installed

 

[Taz Mangus]

A few things to try:

• Force a shutdown. Boot into Safe Mode and back to normal mode.
• Do a reset PRAM and SMC.

Start up your Mac in safe mode

Starting up your Mac in “safe mode” may help you diagnose problems with your Mac.

support.apple.com

Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

If one or more settings stored in NVRAM don't work as expected on an Intel-based Mac, resetting NVRAM might help.

support.apple.com

Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

The SMC is responsible for managing power on your Mac. Resetting it can resolve certain uncommon issues related to power or thermal management.

support.apple.com

 

[maccattacc]

A few things to try:

• Force a shutdown. Boot into Safe Mode and back to normal mode.
• Do a reset PRAM and SMC.

Start up your Mac in safe mode

Starting up your Mac in “safe mode” may help you diagnose problems with your Mac.

support.apple.com

Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

If one or more settings stored in NVRAM don't work as expected on an Intel-based Mac, resetting NVRAM might help.

support.apple.com

Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

The SMC is responsible for managing power on your Mac. Resetting it can resolve certain uncommon issues related to power or thermal management.

support.apple.com

Unfortunately I’ve tried all that with no success.

 

[carylee2002]

go to disk utilities and run a first aid on your OS drive...I did and found many errors in the file system. I stopped updateing after 2020-03 and staying there 04 and 05 were duds to me and not really needed for my purposes.

 

[ERHiMac]

Unfortunately I’ve tried all that with no success.

Yes - me too - no difference! I'm just waiting for the day when I come to the iMac in the morning and the update has completed; just like it did for the 004!! It took a few weeks for that to occur, so, I'm exercising patience!