How To Fix MacOS Sonoma Stuck On Loading Screen With Apple Logo Progress Bar

Are you experiencing the frustrating issue of your macOS Sonoma being stuck on the loading screen with the Apple logo and progress bar?

This common problem can be quite a nuisance, but fear not – there are several effective solutions available to resolve this issue and get your Mac up and running smoothly again.

In this blog, we will explore practical methods to fix the macOS Sonoma stuck-on loading screen problem, providing you with the necessary steps to troubleshoot and resolve this issue. 

How To Fix MacOS Sonoma Stuck On Loading Screen With Apple Logo Progress Bar?

To fix macOS Sonoma stuck on loading screen with Apple logo progress bar, you can disconnect the peripheral and restart your Mac, force restart your Mac, and boot in safe mode. Additionally, you can reset NVRAM/PRAM, and reset the system management controller.

1. Disconnect The Peripheral And Restart Your Mac

Sometimes external devices can cause boot issues. Disconnecting all peripherals can help determine if an external device is causing your Mac to get stuck on the loading screen.

• Shut down your Mac by holding the power button.

• Disconnect all peripherals (USB devices, monitors, printers, etc.).
• Press the power button to turn on your Mac.
• If your Mac starts up normally, reconnect each device one by one to identify the problematic peripheral.

2. Force Restart Your Mac

A force restart may be necessary to interrupt the stuck process and get things moving again.

• Hold down the power button (or Touch ID button on MacBooks) for around 10 seconds, or until the Mac powers off.
• Wait a few moments after the screen goes black.
• Push the power button again to switch the Mac back on and attempt a regular boot.

3. Boot In Safe Mode

Booting your Mac in Safe Mode can help diagnose issues and resolve the stuck loading screen by only loading essential software.

For Mac with Intel:

• Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
• Release the Shift key when you see the login window.
• Log in to your Mac, you might need to log in more than once.
• After logging in, check the upper-right corner of the menu bar for “Safe Boot,” which indicates that your Mac is in Safe Mode.

For Mac with Apple Silicon:

• Shut down your Mac and wait for it to turn off completely.
• Press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
• Select your startup disk.
• Press and hold the Shift key and click “Continue in Safe Mode.”
• Release the Shift key and log in to your Mac.

4. Reset NVRAM/PRAM (For Intel-Based Mac)

Resetting NVRAM (nonvolatile random-access memory) or PRAM (Parameter RAM) can resolve issues related to startup disk selection, screen resolution, and other system settings that might be causing the Mac to get stuck.

• Shut down your Mac.
• Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Option, Command, P, and R keys together.
• Hold the keys for about 20 seconds; during this time, your Mac might appear to restart.
• Release the keys after the second startup sound or after the Apple logo appears and disappears for the second time.

5. Reset The System Management Controller (SMC)

Resetting the SMC can resolve issues related to power, battery, and other system functionalities, which may indirectly fix the startup problem.

For MacBooks with a non-removable battery:

• Shut down your Mac.
• Press and hold Shift + Control + Option on the left side of the built-in keyboard, then press and hold the power button at the same time.
• Hold these keys and the power button for 10 seconds.
• Release all keys and the power button.
• Press the power button again to turn on your Mac.

For Mac desktops:

• Shut down your Mac.
• Unplug the power cord.
• Wait 15 seconds, then plug the power cord back in.
• Wait 5 seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

6. Run Disk Utility In Recovery Mode

Running Disk Utility can help fix issues with your disk that could be causing the macOS to hang during startup.

For Mac with Intel:

• Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the Command (⌘) and R keys until you see an Apple logo or other image.
• Select “Disk Utility” from the macOS Utilities window.
• Choose the disk you wish to repair (typically the startup disk) and click “First Aid.”
• Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the disk repair process.

For Mac with Apple Silicon:

• Turn off your Mac and wait for it to completely shut down.
• Press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
• Choose “Options,” then click “Continue.”
• Select “Disk Utility” from the macOS Utilities window.
• Choose the disk you wish to repair and click “First Aid.”
• Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the disk repair process.

7. Reinstall MacOS

If none of the above solutions work, reinstalling macOS can provide a fresh start without affecting your personal data.

For Mac with Intel:

• Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the Command (⌘) and R keys until you see an Apple logo or other image.
• Select “Reinstall macOS” from the macOS Utilities window.
• Click “Continue” and follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall macOS.

For Mac with Apple Silicon:

• Turn off your Mac and wait for it to completely shut down.
• Press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
• Choose “Options,” then click “Continue.”
• Select “Reinstall macOS” from the macOS Utilities window.
• Click “Continue” and follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall macOS.

8. Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and your Mac is still stuck on the loading screen, it may be time to get professional help.

Apple Support can provide personalized assistance to solve this issue.