I tried to update my Mac. It didn’t go well. I pressed the button, waited, and then the screen went black. My MacBook Pro, the one I use for everything, crashed with a kernel panic. Lots of people with M1 Macs are running into the same wall. The update to macOS 15.4 seems to trip up the system, especially when the computer restarts to finish the install.
Table of Contents
What’s Happening?
You try to install macOS 15.4. The Mac restarts. Instead of finishing, it crashes with a kernel panic. You see a weird error about “t6000dart” and “Can’t ignore lock validation.” You try again. Same thing. Over and over.
I read about Grant L, who posted on Apple’s forums. He did everything right. Updated all his apps. Restarted. Safe Mode. Recovery Mode. Even reinstalled the old system. Nothing worked. He updated Parallels, too, because sometimes that causes trouble. Still, the update crashed every time.
Other people, like Galileo135, had the same problem. They tried to update from 14.7.5 to 15.4. No luck. Even trying to install 15.3 didn’t help. Apple support told them, “We’re looking into it.” That’s not much comfort when your computer won’t work.
Why Is This Happening?
It looks like the problem is deep inside the Mac’s brain. The error message mentions “t6000dart,” which is part of the M1 chip’s system. It’s not something you can fix by clicking around. It’s like the Mac’s engine is stalling because the new software doesn’t talk to the hardware the right way.
Who’s Affected?
- Mostly people with M1 Macs (MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, maybe even the new M4).
- Some reports from other models, but M1 is the big one.
- Doesn’t matter if you’re running Sonoma 14.7.5 or something close.
What Have People Tried?
- Updating all apps before installing.
- Restarting the Mac.
- Booting into Safe Mode.
- Reinstalling the old system (Sonoma) in Recovery Mode.
- Updating Parallels to the latest version.
- Trying to install an older version of macOS 15 (like 15.2 or 15.3).
None of these tricks seem to work for most people. The kernel panic keeps coming back。
What Should You Do?
- Don’t try to update to 15.4 right now if you have an M1 Mac.
- If you already tried and your Mac is stuck, call Apple support or book a Genius Bar appointment.
- Save your logs and error messages. The more details you give Apple, the faster they might fix it.
- If you find a workaround, share it online. You might help someone else.
My Advice
I know how it feels to be stuck.Sometimes, the problem isn’t something you can fix with elbow grease. This is one of those times. The best move is to wait for Apple to sort it out. If you need your Mac for work or school, don’t risk the update. Stay on your current version until there’s a fix. If you’re already in trouble, don’t panic. Apple support deals with this stuff all the time. They might not have an answer yet, but they’re working on it.
What’s Next?
Apple hasn’t said much yet. They know there’s a problem. People are talking about it on forums, Reddit, and social media. The more noise we make, the faster they’ll move. If you want to help, report your issue to Apple. Include your Mac model, what you tried, and the exact error message. Screenshots help, too.
This bug is a real headache. It’s like trying to finish a puzzle with a missing piece. But you’re not alone. Lots of smart people are working on it. Hang tight, keep your data safe, and don’t let one bad update ruin your day. If you find a fix, let the world know. You might be the hero someone else needs. And if you’re feeling lost, reach out. There’s always someone who’s been there before. Stay positive. The fix will come. Until then, keep your Mac close and your backups closer.