There are a lot of Mac users who report that their Mac stuck on login screen after entering a password. This usually means that the macOS has become completely unresponsive. While most of the users are stuck with issues after updating macOS. However, there are other reasons, such as issues with keychains, insufficient hard drive space, motherboard failure, etc. Considering all the possible reasons for this, we have curated troubleshooting tips to fix Mac stuck on login screen after entering a password.
MAC REPEATEDLY ASKING FOR LOGIN
Here are eight ways to fix a Mac stuck on login screen after entering the password. But before that, identify the causes for the issue.
Keychain password stored Two login passwords, the Old and the Latest One. So try to log in with Old and new Passwords one by one.
Why Mac Stuck on Login Screen after Entering Password?
Mac Login screen is the interface where users enter their PIN and login to the account they have created to save their apps and files. However, for some reason, many users found that their Mac stuck on the loading screen after entering PIN. This is a common issue that usually occurs after updating macOS. And there are some unknown reasons as well.
- Insufficient hard drive space
- Corrupted HDD or SDD
- Multiple boot items opening at login
- Power issues
- Issue with Keychain
- Motherboard failure
- Malware or virus deleted crucial system files
Solution #1. Reset your Mac
Mac freezes on the loading screen after entering PIN is not a severe problem or will definitely keep on repeating on your Mac; it can be due to your Mac being stuck in the middle to resolve conflicts and glitches. It may take a while to fix them, but if you are impatient, you must try resetting your Mac by following the steps below.
- Disconnect all the unwanted peripherals from your Mac.
- Press the Touch ID or Power Button for 10-15 seconds to force shut your device.
- After this, Enter your Mac Password and check if it works (Try the Previous password if you changed it recently and the Current password).
Solution #2. First Aid – Repair (Recovery mode)
Recovery mode on your Mac has been available for a decade. It includes four options, which are performed to fix connect drive via disk utility, restore data from Time Machine, reinstall macOS, and get help online. In this scenario, there are two options that help to fix it.
Fix via First Aid from Recovery Partition for Mac with Apple Silicon Chip
- Switch on the Mac computer and press the Power Button until the startup option appears on screen.
- Click on the Gear Icon tagged as Options, then select Continue.
- You will be asked to choose user you know the password for. Choose the user, then select Next, and enter the administrator password.
- Right in the utilities windows in macOS Recovery, choose Disk Utility > Continue.
- Search for a Mac drive and select it.
- Click on “First Aid” > Run and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the procedure.
Fix via First Aid from Recovery Partition for Mac with Intel Chip
- Switch off your Mac computer and turn it back on.
- Instantly press the Command + R until the Apple Logo appears on screen.
- Wait for a while until the macOS Utilities show up.
- Select “Disk Utility” option.
- Search for a Mac drive and choose it.
- Click “First Aid” > Run and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the procedure.
Fix via Reinstalling macOS for Apple Silicon Mac
- Go to the Apple Menu from the left top corner of Mac screen.
- Choose Shut Down and let your Mac turn off.
- After this, press and hold the Power key on your Mac. When continue pressing the Power Button, your Mac will enable and load the startup options. When you see all the options, Release the power button.
- Choose Options, then select Click Option that will highlight below it.
- If prompted, select user of which you know the password for, select Next and Enter the administrator password.
- That’s it.
Fix via Reinstalling macOS for Intel Mac
If none of the solutions work for you and your Mac is still stuck on the login screen, then reinstalling the Mac is the best solution.
- Turn off your Mac, and then switch it on.
- Immediately hold down the Command + R keys till an Apple logo appears.
- Wait for a moment, the OS Utilities window will show up.
- Select “Reinstall macOS” from the Utilities screen.
- Choose “Continue” and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process.
Solution #3. Reboot your Mac to Safe Mode
Unlike the First Aid, Safe Mode on Mac has been available for decades. This feature minimizes the app on your Mac computer that helps you identify the issue that causes your macOS stuck at login or any correlated problem with your Mac. For boot-up your Mac to Safe Mode, read our article on how to boot up your Mac to Safe Mode.
Solution #4. Reset your Mac login password using Apple ID
In case you’ve associated your user account with your Apple ID, luckily, you can use your Apple ID to reset your login password.
- In the login screen, click on the? Mark Icon is located next to the password field.
- If there is no question mark visible, press the Power Button until your Mac turns off, then immediately press the Power Button to restart your Mac.
- Click on the Next Arrow to “reset it using Apple ID.”
- Jot down your Apple ID and Password.
- Select Next.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your Mac login password.
Once your Mac login password is reset, try using it and check if it works.
Solution #6. Reset SMC
SMC controls essential functions on Mac. It deals with various amusing things, for instance, keyboard backlight, fans, charging, etc. Thus resetting SMC on your Mac computer is an all-in-one solution to resolve various issues, including MacBook, iMac, and MacBook Air stuck on login screen after an update. To reset SMC, read our article on how to reset SMC on a Mac. However, if you have a Mac with an Apple Silicon chip, all you need to do is restart the Mac to reset SMC.
Solution #7. Reset NVRAM and PRAM
Unlike SMC, PRAM stores various settings and further accesses them fleetly. NVRAM is similar to PRAM. So, if you are facing an issue like a Mac stuck on boot screen after upgrading it to the latest version, then resetting the NVRAM/PRAM is the best solution. To do so, read our article on how to reset NVRAM/PRAM on Mac.
Note: If you have a Mac with Apple Silicon Chip, then to reset NVRAM and PRAM, all you need to do is restart your device. That’s It!
Solution #8. Contact Apple Support
If none of the solutions mentioned above helped you fix your Mac stuck on the login screen after entering the password, then it’s time to Contact Apple Support, as they are a team of experts that will help you to diagnose the problem.
Final Thought!
It can be nerve-wracking when your Mac is stuck on the login screen after jotting down the password for an unknown reason, especially when upgrading to the latest macOS. Worse still, you lose access to your App or Files. However, the troubleshooting mentioned above tips might have helped you to resolve the issue.
Jaysukh Patel is the founder of howtoisolve. Also self Professional Developer, Techno lover mainly for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and iOS, Jaysukh is one of responsible person in his family. Contact On: jaysukh.pharma@gmail.com [OR] admin@howtoisolve.com
