Why macOS Boot Loops During Installation & How to Fix It

Why macOS Boot Loops During Installation & How to Fix It

Introduction: A macOS boot loop during installation—where the process gets stuck at a certain point (in your case, at 29 minutes) and restarts repeatedly—can be frustrating, especially when you're installing macOS on non-Apple hardware (Hackintosh). This issue often arises due to compatibility problems, misconfiguration of kexts, or improper bootloader settings. Let's go over the reasons for this issue and how you can resolve it.

Common Causes of macOS Boot Loops

1. Incorrect Bootloader Configuration (OpenCore or Clover):

   • The bootloader (OpenCore or Clover) plays a critical role in the installation process by providing a bridge between your non-Apple hardware and macOS. Misconfiguration here can lead to boot loops.

2. Kext (Kernel Extension) Issues:

   • If certain required kexts are missing, outdated, or incompatible with your hardware, macOS may fail to complete the installation process.

3. BIOS Settings:

   • Incorrect BIOS settings can interfere with the macOS installation process. Features like VT-d, CFG Lock, Secure Boot, or unsupported memory configurations can cause boot loops.

4. Disk Partitioning or File System Issues:

   • If the target drive is not properly formatted, or if there are issues with APFS or HFS+, macOS may fail to proceed through the installation.

5. Corrupted Installation Files:

   • Sometimes, the macOS installation file itself can be corrupted or incomplete, causing the process to hang or reboot during installation.

6. Hardware Incompatibility:

   • In some cases, specific hardware components may not be compatible with the version of macOS you're installing, such as unsupported Wi-Fi cards, GPUs, or storage drives.

How to Fix macOS Boot Loop During Installation

1. Check BIOS Settings:

   • Go into your BIOS settings and make sure the following are configured:
     • VT-d: Disable (unless patched or using a custom kernel).
     • CFG Lock: Disable.
     • Secure Boot: Disable.
     • XHCI Hand-off: Enable.
     • SATA Mode: Use AHCI (not RAID or IDE).
     • CSM: Disable (for UEFI boot).
   • Save these settings and retry the installation.

2. Ensure Proper Bootloader Configuration:

   • If you're using OpenCore, ensure that the config.plist is properly configured for your system. Some critical points include:
     • SMBIOS: Ensure you're using the correct SMBIOS for your CPU/GPU.
     • UEFI Drivers: Ensure the correct UEFI drivers are installed (such as OpenRuntime.efi).
     • Kext Injection: Make sure necessary kexts (like Lilu.kext, WhateverGreen.kext, VirtualSMC.kext) are present and correctly listed in the configuration file.

3. Update or Replace Kexts:

   • Download the latest versions of the essential kexts:
     • Lilu.kext (for hardware compatibility)
     • WhateverGreen.kext (for GPU/Graphics-related issues)
     • AppleALC.kext (for audio issues)
     • VirtualSMC.kext (for general system management)
     • Add these kexts to your EFI/Clover/kexts/Other (or equivalent OpenCore folder) and reboot.

4. Check Your Disk Format:

   • Boot into the macOS installer and use Disk Utility to ensure your installation disk is formatted properly:
     • GUID Partition Map
     • APFS or HFS+ (depending on macOS version)
   • If necessary, reformat the drive and retry the installation.

5. Verbose Mode to Check Errors:

   • Boot macOS in Verbose Mode by adding the -v boot flag (if not already present). This will show detailed output as the system boots, which can help pinpoint exactly where the installation is hanging.
     • Look for specific errors or "panic" messages that may give clues about missing drivers or hardware issues.

6. Check Installation Logs:

   • During the installation process, press Cmd + L to access the installation logs. This can provide insight into what the system is doing when it stalls at 29 minutes.

7. Reset NVRAM:

   • Resetting the NVRAM can sometimes resolve issues with boot loops. Use the appropriate hotkey combination for your bootloader to reset NVRAM (for OpenCore, select "Reset NVRAM" in the boot menu).

8. Try a Different macOS Version:

   • If all else fails, you might try installing a different version of macOS (for example, Mojave or Catalina). Some Hackintosh systems are more stable on earlier macOS versions.

Conclusion

macOS boot loops during installation can stem from various causes, including misconfigurations in the bootloader, missing kexts, or hardware incompatibilities. By carefully reviewing your BIOS settings, bootloader configuration, and ensuring the necessary kexts are in place, you should be able to resolve the issue and complete the installation. Use verbose mode and installation logs to get more detailed information if you get stuck.