Macbook stuck on grey screen during software update reboot

After I run my software updates, it tells me that I need to reboot to install them. However, it gets stuck on a grey "Software Update" screen. It will not allow me to force quit. I've even left the computer on overnight, still there. I have to do a hard shut down. Also, when I do boot it up and continue normal activity and attempt to do a normal shut down it takes me back to that grey Software Update screen. Even if I didn't try and run it for the day. Each time, hard shut down.
I took it to Geek Squad 2 weeks ago for this issue and a kernel error. They shipped it to Apple repair. They fixed the kernel error, but I cannot get this to update or remove the grey screen. I dread having to take it back in...but my warranty will expire next month. Any ideas? I am not getting the continuos spinning circle at that page or the Apple logo that I've read about.
Thanks!

Check out KB Article: Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup

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My Mac 10.7.5 won't shut down after new software (security update 2013-003) installation-- hangs at grey screen with "software update" at top. It also intermittently goes to sleep without my asking. What to do?

My Mac 10.7.5 won't shut down after a new software installation (Security Update 2013-003). It just hangs at a grey screen with "Software Update" at the top. I have to force quit, then restart-- but the new software hasn't installed.
My Mac also intermittently goes into Sleep mode, repeatedly, unprompted by me. I suspect a connection between these two problems.
I have tried deleting the /Library/Updates folder. It hasn't helped. The update still won't install, and my Mac won't shut down without my forcing the quit.
Help please!

Hi, I've just come accross the same problem... did you manage to get a resolution??
Cheers, Chris.

Macbook stuck on grey screen

Macbook stuck on grey screen

If you don't have a backup of your files off the machine, try holding the Shift key down on a wired/built in keyboard and boot the computer (you can do a hard shutdown by pressing and holding the power button)
This will hopefully allow you to get into the machine in Safe Mode and backup your user file folders (Music, Pictures, Movies, Documents) to a external storage drive (not only TimeMachine!)
Most commonly used backup methods
If Safe Mode (Shift Key) doesn't work, then you can follow these directions to attempt to get your files off. However it's not necessary as the repair step shouldn't affect it.
Create a data recovery/undelete external boot drive
If you have a backup off the machine and or want to continue with the repair, do the #8 Reinstall Just Only OS X + Software Update procedure here and other Steps as required.
..Step by Step to fix your Mac
#8 will replace the OS X with a new copy overwriting the old one and removing anything installed in OS X itself from third party software makers.
Some programs might not function, you first need to find out if there is a update and compatible with your OS X verison before reinstalling them.
Run through the other Steps to make sure your machine is working as intended.

Help! MacBook white screen during Software Update!

I ran software update. Message said I must be plugged in and computer would reboot on own. It has been more than an hour and computer still has blank screen. It said do not shut down while process is going but it said it would take several minutes...nearly 90 minutes ago. What do I do?

Read this: Article ID: KB29522 "Error backing up databases" message is generated at Smart Card Options database when backing up the BlackBerry smartphone using the BlackBerry Desktop Software
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2. Please resolve your thread by marking the post "Solution?" which solved it for you!
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4. Guide to Unlocking your BlackBerry & Unlock Codes
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Macbook just getting grey screen after Itunes update

I have a macbook that won't boot up. It was updating some software, Itunes included and required a restart. Well, it never restarted, just a grey screen. Is this a known issue? I know my macbook is just out of warranty (of course). Is apple doing anything about this or is this just my computer? Please help, I'm freaking out!

A grey screen (no Apple logo) on startup, be it after an update or not is typically an indication of hardware failure on the machine. It's possible that the update "broke" a startup file, which would prevent you from booting into the OS but typically if that were the case the machine would get further into the startup sequence.
Do you have access to the system restore discs that came with your computer? If so, put the first one in, restart the computer and hold the "option" key. Are you presented with icon(s) that look like a HD or CD-ROM?

Stuck on Grey Screen During Startup

I updated to Yosemite on Saturday and everything has been working fine, I have been able to shut down and startup as normal until today.
Last night I forced my Early 2011 MacBook Pro to shut down and today it will no longer get to the login screen.
I hear the chime, the Apple appears with the Yosemite status bar underneath, it takes a long time to get about halfway then both the Apple and status bar disappear leaving just a blank grey screen.
- I can get into Single User mode, using "fsck -fy" it reports that everything is OK.
- I can't get into Safe Mode.
- I have reset PRAM
- I have NOT reset SMC (is it worth a try?)
- I have a bootable Yosemite USB, holding option I can select that but instead of presenting the Utilities window it just brings up the Apple and status bar then grey screen. For some reason my WiFi network isn't in the list either. Also, the image of my hard drive that appears has a custom icon that I haven't used for at least 5 years, very odd indeed.
I'm at a loss, any help would be greatly appreciated.
NOTE
My left fan is faulty, I have ordered a new one online. I have been using SMCFanControl to monitor it, if the computer has been feeling hot I have been increasing the RPM for a minute to cool it just to be safe until the new fan arrives. Last night I increased the RPM and SMCFanControl became unresponsive which is why I forced the computer to shut down because I couldn't reduce the fan speed back to normal.

I am able to get into Internet Recovery Mode but eventually the globe disappears and it's right back to the Apple and status bar then grey screen again.
When holding Option only my hard drive shows, there is no recovery drive option.

MacBook stuck at grey screen

My MacBook is stuck at the grey screen. I'm running OS6. My mail crashed twice earlier today, so I did a restart. It stuck at the grey screen. How do I get past this, and what's causing it to happen?

I suspect your problem is a bad sector(s) on the hard drive.
In rare circumstances the normal mapping off process doesn't work, like it can't read the destroyed data, or your one of those people who are moving their laptop while it's in operation, which causes the heads to strike the platters and ruining data your machine requires to operate.
What your going to have to do is remove all your personal data off the drive.
Then command r boot the machine into Recovery HD, use Disk Utility to Erase (middle selection, important) the Macintosh HD partition, it will take some time to complete.
When finished quit and reinstall OS X from Apple's servers.
Your problem should be resolved, but if it returns, your likely going to need a new hard drive as it's failing.

MacBook stuck at gray screen during start up

Lately my 2008 model MacBook has been freezing up. When I shut it down, it starts up just fine, however, the last two times I've shut it down, it gets stuck at the gray screen during start up. The first time, I was unsuccessful with a Safe Boot, however I was successful using CommandOption+PR to reset my NVRAM/PRAM. It has been working fine for the past two days, but it froze again this evening. I tried Safe Booting, removing peripherals, resetting the NVRAM/PRAM and I even was able to repair the disk and the permissions, but still, I am unsuccessful during a start up.
When I did try to "Perform an Archive and Install installation of Mac OS X", it said my computer was not able to install 10.5 (I run 10.6) because it did not meet the system requirements.
As a final effort, I tried doing another SafeBoot, this time viewing the status. It has been stuck at a console screen that reads "disk0s2: media is not present...." for about ten minutes now, if that helps at all.
Any advice on how to fix this would be highly appreciated. And yes, I have read the Gray screen article
Zach Irwin

Your hard drive may be damaged or requires reformatting. You might try this to start:
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
If you still are unable to restart or if DU cannot repair the drive or the SMART status is not "verified" then you can try reformatting the drive to see if that fixes the problem, otherwise you will have to replace the drive.
Extended Hard Drive Preparation
1. Boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.)
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (for Intel Macs) or APM (for PPC Macs) then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
And, you cannot do an Archive and Install of Leopard over a Snow Leopard installation. You have to reinstall using the Snow Leopard installer.

My retina display mbp is stuck on gray screen during latest update

. No progress bar. Is this normal, how long does it take to update?

If it's stuck there more than 15 minutes I would suspect a problem, likey with a third party at boot kernel extension file.
You can reboot holding the Shift key down (wired or builtin keyboard) and that will enter Safe Mode minus the outdated kext files.
A better option would be to do the #8 Reinstall Just OS X + Software Update method here.
..Step by Step to fix your Mac
Once you machine is booted, check for any third party software that fails to run, then check for updates/issue on the developers site and when to expect a update before reinstalling the non-working programs.

My 9850 stuck at same percentage during Software Update for 6hrs!

I had notice that it was time for my Torch 9850 to update its software, so I clicked Software Update and began. Last time, my phone went blank and multiple issues occurred. But, it started backing up data around 7 am. But, since then the percentage has stayed at 8% ! That was over 6 hrs ago! And its not like its frozen cause if I put the charger in the battery amount and the little lightning bolt comes up as usual. Is the backing up suppose to take this long or is there something really wrong with my phone? Can someone please HELP ME!

CA077 wrote:
I had notice that it was time for my Torch 9850 to update its software, so I clicked Software Update and began. Last time, my phone went blank and multiple issues occurred. But, it started backing up data around 7 am. But, since then the percentage has stayed at 8% ! That was over 6 hrs ago! And its not like its frozen cause if I put the charger in the battery amount and the little lightning bolt comes up as usual. Is the backing up suppose to take this long or is there something really wrong with my phone? Can someone please HELP ME!
Hi and Welcome to the Community!
In addition to formal support...
(Credit JSanders)
There are two methods of recovery for you to try:
One:
Open Blackberry Desktop Software & Connect your device with PC using USB cable, without inserting battery.
You will get three option Retry, Update Or Cancel, then click on update.
Once it is to the stage of the update "initializing handheld", then insert battery.
If this does not work, and you remain stuck on the backing up the Social Feeds database, go to the second method below.
Secondly:
Start your BlackBerry in Safe mode. Article ID: KB17877 How to start a BlackBerry smartphone in Safe Modehttp://www.blackberry.com/btsc/KB17877
Connect to the BlackBerry Desktop Software and allow your handheld to connect. If you are prompted to upgrade, cancel the upgrade for later.
IF you cannot connect or your Desktop Software does not recognize your device while in Safe Mode, please follow the directions here to force the detect:  Article ID: KB10144 How to force the detection of the BlackBerry smartphone using Application Loader
Go to Device > delete > SELECT DATA > select to delete both the Social Feeds and Smart Card databases, and follow the remaining prompts to complete it.
Now, you can return and click to upgrade the device through the Desktop Manager, or reboot the BlackBerry in normal mode and continue the over the air upgrade.
And, for the record, I agree completely that OTA updates should be avoided at all costs.
Good luck!
Occam's Razor nearly always applies when troubleshooting technology issues!
If anyone has been helpful to you, please show your appreciation by clicking the button inside of their post. Please click here and read, along with the threads to which it links, for helpful information to guide you as you proceed. I always recommend that you treat your BlackBerry like any other computing device, including using a regular backup schedule...click here for an article with instructions.
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MacBook Stuck at Grey Screen - After Leopard Install!?!?!

I've had a MacBook for about 2 years now, everything is up to date blah blah...So I finally decided to make the jump to Leopard, now after installing the update OS, it restarted and the Macbook won't boot past the Apple logo with spinning dial and grey background?? What do I do??

This is horrible...I have papers due tomorrow and I'm out of a computer...The book says NOTHING about taking off software before updating...I can't even boot up my computer...Secondly I have no time capsule, even if I had any idea to format...and all my music is on the computer...
Nice Leopard experience here!
Message was edited by: Rav8e

Mac stuck on white screen after software update

I updated to snow leopard and then then to 10.6.8. After the updates had installed, my computer restarted and now it's stuck on a white screen. No key shortcuts work at all, I've tried. None of them work. Every time I try to turn it on it's just frozen on a blank white screen. Twice it's gone to the apple logo and been able to start up after 20 or so minutes of being on the white screen but each time it froze. I don't know what to do.

There have been problems with the Apple servers not linking to support articles, so some links may not load the first time.
Startup - Gray, Blue or White screen at boot, w/spinner/progress bar
Startup – Computer Stops or Delays
Startup Issues - Resolve
Startup Issues - Resolve (2)

Ipad stuck at apple during software update

my iPad is stuck at apple logo during software update … what to do i have important date stored in it

If the reset doesn't work, you will have to force iPad into Recovery Mode.
1. Turn off iPad
2. Turn on computer and launch iTunes (make sure you have the latest version of iTune)
3. Plug USB cable into computer's USB port
4. Hold Home button down and plug the other end of cable into docking port.
DO NOT RELEASE BUTTON until you see picture of iTunes and plug
5. Release Home button.
ON COMPUTER
6. iTunes has detected iPad in recovery mode. You must restore this iPad before it can be used with iTunes.
7. Select "Restore iPad"...
Note:
1. Data will be lost if you do not have backup
2. You must follow step 1 to step 4 VERY CLOSELY.
3. Repeat the process if necessary.

MacBook Pro stuck at grey screen after Yosemite upgrade

upgraded to yosemite yesterday. Reboot and stuck at grey screen(login in page) when i log in there is some codes thing at the left top corner of the screen. and then it reboots again. Which means I can never log onto the computer. what should I do

If you can't start up and log in in the usual way, try in safe mode.
During startup, you’ll see a progress bar, and then the login screen, which appears even if you normally log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Log in as an administrator to carry out these instructions. If you have only one account, you are the administrator.
☞ If you don't see any reports listed, but you know there was a panic, you may have chosen Diagnostic and Usage Messages from the log list. Choose DIAGNOSTIC AND USAGE INFORMATION instead.
Safe mode is slower than normal, and some things won’t work at all.
Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t start in safe mode.
If you're able to log in, launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
In the Console window, select
DIAGNOSTIC AND USAGE INFORMATION ▹ System Diagnostic Reports
(not Diagnostic and Usage Messages) from the log list on the left. If you don't see that list, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
There is a disclosure triangle to the left of the list item. If the triangle is pointing to the right, click it so that it points down. You'll see a list of reports. A panic report has a name that begins with "Kernel" and ends in ".panic". Select the most recent one. The contents of the report will appear on the right. Use copy and paste to post the entire contents—the text, not a screenshot.
I know the report is long, maybe several hundred lines. Please post all of it anyway.
In the interest of privacy, I suggest that, before posting, you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header of the report, if it’s present (it may not be.)
Please don’t post other kinds of diagnostic report.

Macbook pro retina 2012 mid year stuck on grey screen

Hi everyone.
I've just update for the lastest mac os x mountain lion update, when half way the progress and it goes stucked. All the function are unable to function, so i've force shut it down. After mac shutted down and i tried to boots it back it stuck on grey screen which below apple logo forever loading icon. i've tried Reset the PRAM, but it still not working for me. Also, i tried when when start up hold with cmd + r to reinstall the os x , but it just won't let me to reinstall it , it wrote you can't upgrade this version of OS X because a newer version is installed?
Help please! need a solution that wont delete all my files at the same time

Take each of these steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved.
Step 1
The first step in dealing with a boot failure is to secure your data. If you want to preserve the contents of the startup drive, and you don't already have at least one current backup, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data that has changed since your last backup, you can skip this step.
There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to boot. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
a. Boot into the Recovery partition, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) When the OS X Utilities screen appears, launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.”
b. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, boot the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
c. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.
Step 2
Press and hold the power button until the power shuts off. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed to boot, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Use a different keyboard and/or mouse, if those devices are wired. If you can boot now, one of the devices you disconnected, or a combination of them, is causing the problem. Finding out which one is a process of elimination.
If you've booted from an external storage device, make sure that your internal boot volume is selected in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.
Step 3
Boot in safe mode. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Post for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
When you boot in safe mode, it's normal to see a dark gray progress bar on a light gray background. If the progress bar gets stuck for more than a few minutes, or if the system shuts down automatically while the progress bar is displayed, your boot volume is corrupt and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to Step 5.
If you can boot and log in now, empty the Trash, and then open the Finder Info window on your boot volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) Check that you have at least 9 GB of available space, as shown in the window. If you don't, copy as many files as necessary to another volume (not another folder on the same volume) and delete the originals. Deletion isn't complete until you empty the Trash again. Do this until the available space is more than 9 GB. Then reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)
If the boot process hangs again, the problem is likely caused by a third-party system modification that you installed. Post for further instructions.
Step 4
Sometimes a boot failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
Step 5
Launch Disk Utility in Recovery mode (see Step 1.) Select your startup volume, then run Repair Disk. If any problems are found, repeat until clear. If Disk Utility reports that the volume can't be repaired, the drive has malfunctioned and should be replaced. You might choose to tolerate one such malfunction in the life of the drive. In that case, erase the volume and restore from a backup. If the same thing ever happens again, replace the drive immediately.
This is one of the rare situations in which you should also run Repair Permissions, ignoring the false warnings it may produce. Look for the line "Permissions repair complete" at the end of the output. Then reboot as usual.
Step 6
Reinstall the OS. If your Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade.
Step 7
Repeat Step 6, but this time erase the boot volume in Disk Utility before installing. The system should automatically reboot into the Setup Assistant. Follow the prompts to transfer your data from a Time Machine or other backup.
Step 8
This step applies only to older Macs (not current models) that have a logic-board ("PRAM") battery. Both desktop and portable Macs used to have such a battery. The logic-board battery is separate from the main battery of a portable. A dead logic-board battery can cause a gray screen at boot. Typically the boot failure will be preceded by loss of the startup disk and system clock settings. See the user manual for replacement instructions. You may have to take the machine to a service provider to have the battery replaced.
Step 9
If you get this far, you're probably dealing with a hardware fault. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine tested. If you can't get to an Apple Store, go to another authorized service provider.

Macbook stuck on grey screen during software update reboot

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