So, if you are unable to install macOS Catalina even after successfully downloading it. Then you need to use the following steps in order to execute the procedure successfully: Step 1: First, reboot the Mac. If your Mac isn't compatible with the latest macOS, you might still be able to upgrade to an earlier macOS, such as macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, or El Capitan. To get the latest features and maintain the security, stability, compatibility, and performance of your Mac, it's important to keep your software up to date. If you experience issues like Mac stuck on boot screen after update to latest macOS, resetting NVRAM/ PRAM may give you a hand. Shut down your Mac. Turn your Mac, and hold down Option + Command + P + R key together right away. Keep holding until your Mac restarts. Reboot Mac in Recovery Mode. IST 11:37 am: The recent macOS Big Sur update has rendered the Touch ID on several MacBooks almost useless with users reporting a string of issues. Read all about it through this link. Update 13 (January 08, 2021) IST 11:41 am: Some users report that macOS Big Sur 11.1 update fails to install and results in a system crash. Or it may simply. Update macOS in the Safe mode. If you have enough free storage of startup disk, you still can’t update to macOS Catalina 10.15.6, please access the System Preferences - Software Update in the Mac Safe mode. How to access the Mac Safe Mode: Start or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key.

Does your iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or MacBook stuck on login screen after update to Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave or High Sierra? That Mac won’t boot is not a new issue but still a tough call for ordinary users to fix it. Well, this article will walk you through the solutions to solve “Mac stuck on boot screen after Big Sur or Catalina update” problem.

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Why Mac Stuck on Login Screen after Update?

The update of macOS Big Sur or Catalina brings certain incompatibility problem (between Apple default apps and the OS) or unsolved bugs
Not enough hard drive space
Corrupted SSD or HDD
Too many boot items opening at login
Malware or virus deleted the crucial system files
File system corruption of Mac partition
Power issues
Motherboard Failure
…

macOS stuck at login screen is a complex issue meaning there’s something bad coming with your Mac system and it needs to be repaired as quick as possible.

The Common Symptoms

The symptoms of “MacBook stuck on login screen after update” issue is different, the familiar ones are those your Mac may stuck on:

Grey screen
White screen
Black screen
Login loading bar
Apple logo (loading screen with Apple)
Startup screen spinning wheel
Login screen after password
Startup screen with status bar

Or your Mac:

Won't boot past apple logo
Won't load past login screen
Frozen on the startup screen after macOS Big Sur or Catalina update
…

By knowing the symptoms, you can safeguard your data to avoid data loss crisis, and then take immediate actions to fix the problem.

How to Fix Mac Stuck on Boot Screen after Update?

Fix 1. Reboot the Mac

Do the most essential things at first, as they don’t require any tech support.

Shut off your Mac
Disconnect the whole peripherals except those needed to turn on the system
Check your charger’s cable (make sure the cable is intact and the port is clean.). If your MacBook stuck on login screen because of battery power, the battery could be thoroughly depleted or malfunctioning.

When everything is ready, boot your Mac with peripherals reconnected.

Fix 2. Reboot Your Mac in Safe Mode

Safe Boot feature is included since Mac OS X 10.2. It minimizes the apps on your Mac to help identify the issue that causes your macOS stuck at login, or any issue correlated with your startup disk. So not only will it restrict your applications, but also check through startup drive.

Restart your Mac computer.
Press the Power button while holding down the Shift key immediately.
Keep it held until you see the Apple logo.

Matters need attention：

It’s slower to boot Mac in Safe Mode.
Not all the OS X functions and programs will work when performing Safe Boot (only for troubleshooting).
Confirm that your Mac hard drive possesses at least 10 GB of free space. If not, empty your Trash bin or move some of largest files & folders to another drive.

Fix 3. Reboot Your Mac in Single User Mode

Just like booting in Safe Mode, the Single User Mode assists to isolate and fix the common problems that can keep your MacBook stuck on login screen from starting up properly. This method is suitable for advanced users who are comfortable with UNIX or has comprehensive knowledge of the command line.

Turn on your Mac while holding Command + S key simultaneously.
When you see the white text on a black background, release the keys.
Enter the administrator password to access to Mac Big Sur or Catalina Single User Mode.

Fix 4. Reset System Management Controller (SMC)

SMC controls a host of important functions in a Mac. It deals with many amusing things, from keyboard backlight, charging, fans, etc. to system performance. That resetting the SMC to original factory settings is an all-in-one solution, which can also fix your iMac, MacBook Air or MacBook stuck on login screen after update.

For desktop Mac, iMac or MacBook:

Unplug the power cord.
Wait for 15 or 20 seconds, and plug the power cord in.
Wait for 5 or 10 seconds, and power on the system again.
Restart your Mac.

For Mac laptop:

Make your Mac unplugged, and then turn off the power.
Hold down the Shift + Control + Option key. At the same time, press and hold down the power button. Hold down all of them for 10 seconds.
Re-plug the Mac in and reboot it up.

For old Mac laptop with removable battery:

Shut down your Mac > unplug it > remove the battery.
Hold down the power button for 5 seconds.
Put the battery back in > plug the Mac in > restart Mac.

Fix 5. Reset Nonvolatile Random-access Memory (NVRAM) or Parameter RAM (PRAM)

NVRAM is used to store some settings and access them fleetly. PRAM is similar to NVRAM, and shares the same steps with NVRAM. If you experience issues like Mac stuck on boot screen after update to latest macOS, resetting NVRAM/ PRAM may give you a hand.

Shut down your Mac.
Turn your Mac, and hold down Option + Command + P + R key together right away.
Keep holding until your Mac restarts.

Fix 6. Reboot Mac in Recovery Mode

Recovery Mode was offered since OS X Lion in 2011. It shows you 4 options applied to fix connected drives with Disk Utility, restore data from Time Machine, reinstall macOS and get help online. I guess two of them are likely to repair your macOS stuck at login issue.

Unable To Update Macos Catalina