/PowerMyMac /MacBook Pro Stuck on Login Screen - Fix It with Easy Ways
Just recently, some Apple users reported the “MacBook Pro stuck on password screen” issue. When the password is entered, the device is seemingly stuck on the loading screen or switches back to the login screen which appears after installing a newly released macOS Mojave.
Several ways can help deal with this issue. Simply check them out if the issue is fixed before moving on to the next. Do not forget to back up your files before trying out any of these methods.
When you log into the account that you have just created you can go to system preferences - accounts - then select the account that you forgot the password to and hit change password. Then log into the previous account and delete that account that you just created and walla!!! If you want to factory reset a MacBook but find it failing to go on erasing your main hard drive. Then you can use the following instruction to reset login password in macOS recovery mode.
How to Fix MacBook Pro Stuck on Password Screen Issue?
- Booting your device in Safe Mode.
- Creating a user account in the Single User Mode.
- Using the “Shift” button during login.
- Resetting the SMC and PRAM/NVRAM of your device.
- Renaming of the “Plist” files.
- Getting rid of the Razer Plugin.
- Reinstalling the macOS on your device.
Article GuidePart 1. Easy Methods to Solve MacBook Pro Stuck on Password ScreenPart 2. Further Solutions to Fix MacBook Pro Stuck on Password Screen
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Part 1. Easy Methods to Solve MacBook Pro Stuck on Password Screen
Method 1. Booting Your Device in Safe Mode
The Safe Mode has the main purpose of protecting your device from booting from third-party files and apps. It will mechanically assess your startup disk and even fix any directory problems if necessary.
In the same time, it can impede the programmed operation of startup items that might affect the login process and only load the necessary kernel extensions. Generally, this can help you isolate the cause with the “MacBook Pro stuck on password screen” issue.
You can initiate the safe mode method with the following steps:
- Switch off your Mac
- Press on the Power button and immediately press and hold the Shift button until the Apple logo appears on the screen
- Release the key once you see the login window. You might be requested to log in twice in case the startup disk is encrypted with FileVault.
Method 2. Creating A User Account in The Single User Mode
In case you previously created an extra Admin account in case of accidents, it is time to try it out. For those who haven’t, there are several steps to follow in creating a new account since you have been locked out.
- Switch off your Mac. Press and hold on the “Command” + “S” to access the Single User Mode after you tap on the power button.
- Once the sequence of codes moves up, a command prompt will manifest with a line: :/ root#
- At this point, this step will allow you to gain entry to the files in your Mac. Simply type or copy the line below into the prompt and tap on Enter: /sbin/mount-uw /
- With this step, it will remove a file so that your device will believe that it is your first time to log in. Key in or copy the line below into the prompt and tap on Enter: rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
- Key in “Reboot” and tap on Enter. You can now create a new account just like the first time that you started using your MacBook.
Method 3. Using The “Shift” Button during Login
With this method, it works by bypassing any login item in your user profile.
- Switch on your MacBook normally
- On the Login page, key in your password but do not click on “Log In” immediately
- Press and hold the “Shift” button and tap on the Login button
Sometimes this issue maybe caused by 'full storage', here we recommend you use iMyMac PowerMyMac to have your MacBook storage cleaned up.
Part 2. Further Solutions to Fix MacBook Pro Stuck on Password Screen
#1. Resetting The SMC and PRAM/NVRAM of Your Device
There are instances in which there is a need to retune the PRAM/NVRAM or the SMC on your Mac. By retuning the PRAM/NVRAM or SCM, it helps deal with some bugs and reestablish the basic settings of your Mac to its initial status.
- PRAM (Parameter Random Access Memory). This is a non-volatile random-access memory utilized to store system settings on Mac including display resolution, sound volume, time zone, startup disk selection and recent kernel panic information.
- NVRAM (nonvolatile random-access memory). This offers the same service as PRAM for users in storing certain system settings. Recently, most Macs utilize NVRAM instead of PRAM since it oftentimes becomes unstable, requiring you to restore and fix it. Nevertheless, NVRAM reset is safer and faster.
- SMC (System Management Controller). This is responsible for Intel-based Mac which has a vital role in the physical sections of the computer such as the thermal and power management, battery charging, sleep and wake, LED indicators and many more.
How to Reset The PRAM/NVRAM
- Switch off your device and turn it on.
- Quickly hold and press “Command”, Option, R and P keys
- After holding for 20 seconds, the device will restart automatically
- Release the keys
After the reset, all the settings on your device will return to the default configurations. At this point, you can customize the settings on volume, time zone or keyboard preferences and more. In case resetting PRAM/NVRAM does not fix the issue on the “MacBook Pro stuck on password screen” issue, there is a need to reset SMC.
How to Reset The SMC
If you are going to reset the SCM to deal with the “MacBook Pro stuck on password screen' issue, you must check if your device has a removable battery or not.
MacBook Pro/MacBook Air with detachable battery
- Turn off the device
- Detach the battery
- Hold on to the power button for up to 5 seconds
- Reinstall the battery
- Switch on your device again
MacBook with a fixed battery
- Turn off your device
- Press on Shift, Control, Option keys and the power button for 10 seconds
- Release the keys
- Turn on your device
iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro and Xserve
- Switch off the device and unplug the power cord
- After 15 seconds, plug the power cord again
- Wait for 5 seconds and reboot your device
iMac Pro
- Turn off your device
- Press and hold the power button for up to 8 seconds
- Release the power button and wait for a few seconds.
- Switch on your device
#2. Renaming of The “Plist” Files
You must boot your device in Safe Mode. Log in using the account.
- Open Finder and tap on “Go” in the menu bar. Press on the option to select Library.
- Open Terminal. Key in “sudo mv” and move the Preferences folder that you can find in the Library folder directly to the Terminal window.
- Modify the Preference folder with a distinct label and/or directory. An example is sudo mv /Users/yourname/Library/Preferences to /Users/yourname/Documents/Preferences-Old
- Reboot your device.
#3. Getting Rid of The Razer Plugin
For some users, they discover that removing the Razor plugin can help with the “MacBook Pro stuck on password screen” issue. You can also try out this approach with the following steps:
- Press on “Command + R” while booting your device to switch into Recovery mode.
- Start a Utilities > Terminal
- Proceed to /Volumes/Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/HAL/ and remove the Razer Plugin.
#4. Reinstalling The macOS on Your Device
- Hold down on “Command + R” while booting your device
- After seeing the Utility Menu, choose the “Reinstall OS X” option.
- Tap on the Continue button.
With the methods discussed on how to deal with the “MacBook Pro stuck on password screen” issue, you can find the root cause and eventually resolve the issue.
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Reset Password Macbook Pro 2012 For Sale
You2020-07-12 23:28:41
demarcer
Timothy Kachilonda2020-03-13 12:55:26
I have created a new admin user on my mac but my question is. How will i get all my files or how will i get my old account back?
iMyMac2020-03-14 02:34:58
Hi, if you want to get your deleted user account back, you can follow the steps below: 1. Go to Persona Bar > Manage > Users. 2. Search for the deleted user account. From the Show dropdown, choose Deleted to filter the displayed accounts. Browse the list for the user account. 3. Click/Tap the ellipses icon for the user, then choose Restore User.
Clean up and speed up your Mac with ease
Free DownloadWhen people are planning to sell the old MacBook Pro, or trying to fix issues on a MacBook Pro by doing a clean install of software, they first need to restore the computer to factory settings. It is the best way to wipe a Mac and able to erase all the data and content from a Mac. It is easy said than done. A MacBook Pro usually connects to iCloud, iTunes and other Apple services. To factory reset MacBook Pro, you have to do more than resetting a smartphone. Don't worry! This tutorial enables you to perform an unblemished factory reset MacBook Pro.
Part 1: What is factory reset a MacBook Pro?
Before you factory reset MacBook Pro, you may be still confused about what is factory reset and why do it. Briefly, factory reset is to erase all personal data and content from a device permanently and return it to factory conditions in the box.
People prefer to store photos, documents, iTunes account and other information on Mac computers. Factory reset is the best way to protect your privacy and information when you want to sell your MacBook Pro or put it to another hand. Megaseg using spotify playlists.
On the other hand, factory resetting MacBook Pro is an ultimate solution to resolve various problems. Problems and complaints emerge continuously since MacBook Pro has been launched, such as blue screen, responding incorrectly and more. Factory reset is the latest means to fix a MacBook Pro before giving it up completely.
Part 2: Preparation before factory reset MacBook Pro
As said before, factory reset MacBook Pro is a little complicated than other devices, partly because there are more work about preparation, including backup, sign out iTunes, iCloud and other accounts.
Step 1. Create a backup for your MacBook Pro
To avoid data loss, backup everything on your Mac is necessary before factory resetting MacBook Pro. There are two methods to create a backup for MacBook Pro.
To back up your device, plug a large enough USB flash or external drive, go to System Preferences-> Time Machine, select Backup Disk, then follow the onscreen instructions to format the drive and transfer all files you want to back up.
Another way is to clone entire hard drive. The programs, like Carbon Copy Cloner and SuperDuper, could copy all data and information on your hard drive to an external hard drive.
The difference between backup with Time Machine and cloning is that former supports selectively copying. Cloning a hard drive means copy all information, including errors, malfunctions, configuration issues and even viruses.
Step 2. Sign out all accounts and services on your Mac
This step includes disabling iTunes, iCloud, FileVault and other apps link to your hardware. iTunes supports to set up to five Mac devices with one account. Disabling iCloud could remove some of personal content from Mac. And the FineVault is designed to encrypt your files on hard drive. So it is better to turn off these services before factory reset MacBook Pro.
- 1. De-authorize iTunes. Start iTunes, click Store and then Deauthorize This Computer, input your Apple ID and password and hit De-authorise to confirm it. If you use an old version of iTunes, the Deauthorize This Computer is in Account > Authorisations.
- 2. Turn off iCloud. Open iCloud in System Preferences, click Sign Out Now and then hit Delete from Mac on each popup dialog.
- 3. Sign out FileVault. Go to System Preferences-> Security & Privacy-> FileVault and turn off File Vault. You will be prompted to enter your password to confirm it.
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Besides three services above, you may need to sign out other apps, such as Adobe Photoshop, Netflix and more. And if your MacBook Pro has Touch Bar, you also need to remove any Apple Pay card information.
Part 3: Start factory resetting MacBook Pro
After backup and sign out various services, you can feel free to start factory resetting MacBook Pro
Step 1. Boot your MacBook Pro in Recovery Mode
Click the Apple logo at the upper left corner of the screen and select Restart, then press and hold down the Command and R keys until Apple logo appears on the screen.
How To Factory Reset A Macbook Pro
There are three key combinations of Mac OS Recovery, Command + R, Option + Command + R, and Shift + Option + Command + R. The first will install the latest Mac OS version without upgrading. The second will upgrade to the latest Mac OS. And the latter will install the Mac OS that came with your MacBook Pro.
Step 2. Erase your MacBook Pro's hard drive
When the Recovery Mode Utilities window shows up, pick Disk Utility and click Continue. Select your main hard drive usually called Macintosh HD.
Hard Reset Macbook Pro 2012
Click the Erase button on top ribbon of Disk Utility to start erasing your hard drive for factory reset MacBook Pro. When it is done, close the application by clicking Disk Utility and then Quit Disk Utility.
When choose hard drive, you should look for the disk name, but not the volume name.
Step 3. Reinstall Mac on your MacBook Pro
Once the Disk Utility is closed, the Mac OS reinstallation window will present. Pick Reinstall MacOS or Reinstall OS X, you MacBook Pro will start connecting to Apple servers and downloading the Mac OS automatically through Wi-Fi network or Ethernet. The Mac OS version reinstalled depends on the key combination that you used in step 1. After reinstallation is complete, your MacBook Pro will restart. If you want to continuously use your computer, log in with your Apple ID and password. Otherwise, hold down Command + Q to skip the setup process.
The guides above are universal process of factory reset MacBook Pro. The detail menus may differ slightly depending on the version of iTunes, Mac OS and MacBook Pro you are using. Even though it may not match exactly, that's OK since the meaning is the same.
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Conclusion
In this tutorial, we have told you how to factory reset MacBook Pro. There are a number of reasons that you need to reset your MacBook Pro to its factory settings. Perhaps, you will sell it and wipe your data off of it. Maybe it is not working properly or infected with virus. Anyway, you will find that factory reset MacBook Pro is not as difficult as you thought if you follow our guides above. To return your MacBook Pro to factory status, you'd better back it up first. And the final step, re-install the Mac OS, needs the internet connection. If you have any questions about factory reset your MacBook Pro, please leave a message below this post.