FIX: Password not working on Mac after update

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Key notes

  • Not being able to log into your Mac after performing an update can cause you a lot of stress, but we have the fix for it.
  • To resolve this issue, try connecting to the network using an Ethernet cable, and also disable or uninstall your VPN client.
  • If you want to see more useful Mac guides, don't forget to explore our specialized Mac Fix page.
  • Don't hesitate to bookmark our useful Mac Hub for more up to date information on this subject.
password isn't working on mac after update

Keeping your Mac up to date is important, but many users reported that their Mac password is not working after the update.

This can be a big problem since you won’t be able to access your files, and today we’ll show you how to fix that.

What to do if my password isn’t working on Mac after the update?

1. Connect to the network using Ethernet

ethernet connection password not working on mac after update
Few users reported that they fixed this problem simply by connecting to a network using an Ethernet port. Few of them claim that connecting to enterprise LAN fixed the problem, while others claim that you just need to connect to your own LAN network.

If you don’t have an Ethernet port, then you might have to use a USB to Ethernet adapter. Bear in mind that not all adapters work.

Users reported that Apple’s Thunderbolt to USB-C adapter with Ethernet didn’t work. The same issue occurred with other brands. However, using the USB adapter with the Apple logo with the USB-C adapter worked.


2. Uninstall your VPN client


According to users, sometimes your VPN client can cause this problem to appear.

To fix the issue, it’s advised to uninstall the VPN client before installing the update. Once the update is installed and everything is working, you can then install your VPN.


3. Reset SMCreset smc password not working on mac after update

According to users, sometimes resetting SMC fixes this problem. To reset SMC on models that use T2 chip, do the following:

  1. Shut down your MacBook. Press and hold the left Control, left Option (Alt), and right Shift.
  2. Keep the keys pressed for 7 seconds, and then press and hold the Power button alongside these three keys.
  3. Keep the four buttons pressed for about 7 seconds before releasing them.
  4. Wait for a few moments and turn on your MacBook again.

The process on models without T2 chip is slightly different:

  1. Shut down your MacBook.
  2. Once the device turns off, hold left Shift, left Control, and left Option (Alt).
  3. Keep these three buttons pressed. Now press and hold the Power button along with these keys.
  4. Keep all four keys pressed for about 10 seconds.
  5. Release the keys and start your MacBook.

4. Use SSH


According to users, you can fix the problem by connecting with SSH to the affected device and removing the problematic login applications. Users reported that they had issues with Centrify and Pulse Secure, but after removing them, the problem was solved.

Alternatively, you can just rename the files and directories associated with the problematic applications, and that should fix the problem.


5. Use your Apple ID password


Few users reported that they fixed the issue by using their Apple ID password, so you might want to try that. Other users claim that they fixed the problem by entering their computer password on the first login screen and their iCloud password on the second login screen, so you can try that as well.

There you go, these are few simple fixes that you can try if your password is not working on your Mac after the update. If our solutions didn’t help you, you might have to restore your macOS or reinstall it.

FAQ: Learn more about Mac updates

  • Why won’t my Macbook Pro let me log in?

The most common reasons for not being able to log into your MacBook Pro are if you used the wrong password, or you’ve made a typo when writing it.

  • How do you hard reset a MacBook Pro?

To perform a hard reset on MacBook Pro, first restart your Mac holding the Command and R keys until the MacOs Utilities shows up, click on Disk Utility, choose your HDD, and then click Erase.

  • What happens if you forget your Mac password?

You can simply reset your password by entering the wrong password 3 times and then click the If you forgot your password, you can reset it using your Apple ID link.

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