M2 MacBook Air Boot loop, can’t get to startup options

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M2 MacBook Air Boot loop, can’t get to startup options

M2 MacBook Air Boot loop, can’t get to startup options. Tried all keybind combinations. Cause of boot loop was most likely overuse of storage - downloaded a game, “mac said not enough storage to update”. I cleared my trash and selected update tonight and it let me. I had about 10-11 GB left in finder. However I must’ve collected some cache after web browsing for a bit before getting off for the day - I woke up the next day to the computer still a quarter way thru updating while on the charger. Waited like 10 minutes, no progress, so I force shut down (yes not ideal but a reddit thread told me to). Boot loop occurred since then. Can’t get past anything (goes to: keep holding… startup options loading… then boot loop). Can’t even DFU reset without getting past that screeen (unless i’m missing something). Apple tech said he has no idea what’s going on and the mac is essentially totaled. Going to get second opinion tomorrow. Please give me any help you can to revive my $1k investment before I have to buy another one… I mean seriously it was just a game download from steam.

MacBook Air, macOS 26.0

Posted on Nov 19, 2025 5:40 PM

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HWTech

Level 9

68,444 points

Nov 20, 2025 6:52 PM in response to samarth208

samarth208 wrote:

Boot loop occurred since then. Can’t get past anything (goes to: keep holding… startup options loading… then boot loop). Can’t even DFU reset without getting past that screeen (unless i’m missing something).

You must follow the steps in the following Apple article exactly in order to put the Mac into DFU Mode. Every detail is critical, as is the timing of the key presses. And you must make sure the laptop is completely powered off which can be very difficult to determine since there are no visible signs. I try to press the Caps Lock key when the Mac is powered on so I can watch the Caps Lock LED go dark when the system fully powers off, but this may not be possible if boot looping.

I find having Apple Configurator open on the host Mac helps since it does give a bit of information regarding the state of the "broken" Mac. I'm not sure using the Finder on the host Mac is as good (it has been a while since I last used DFU Mode).

I have put multiple laptops into DFU Mode, but I still have trouble activating DFU Mode......still takes me multiple attempts even today.

Performing a DFU Firmware Revive or Restore does require access to another recent Mac running macOS 26.x Tahoe, and possibly macOS 15.x Sequoia (not sure about the latter).

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

I'm glad you were able to get the issue resolved. I'm just providing this information in case you or others need it later on.

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