MAC M1 AIR: DFU mode failing to restore/revive/erase

Hello. I have mac m1 air and it is failing to restore in DFU mode with the below error.

The System cannot be restored on this device.
Device added from invalid state Restoring - This means that either we got a disconnection during restore, or we go the connect event twice [com.apple.MobileDevice.MobileRestore - 0xFAA (4010)].


Also long pressing power button does not launch Startup Options.

It shows loading startup options... text and restarting macbook.

Finally showing support.apple.com/mac/restore page.


I tried either way several times, funny thing is I bought this laptop 5 months ago and last time it failed because I forgot to connect power to my laptop while updating OS.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.3

Posted on Oct 2, 2023 01:12 AM

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Posted on Oct 23, 2023 05:46 AM

I solved it! I had the same problem. It’s a short on PP5V_S2! I resolved the short and now it’s working again!

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6 replies

Dec 7, 2023 01:45 AM in response to omurbeko

My problem is very very similar to you. I hold power button no startup options, cant even power off. Stuck in restore exclamation mark page and keep rebooting. Go to DFU mode, cant revive or restore using Apple Configurator 2. But I dont get any error message like you. It just failed silently, and reboot to the loop again. Have you solve your problem yet? Please share.

Nov 9, 2023 01:17 PM in response to thebasov

@Myth14 is saying a hardware repair is needed.


However, I'm not certain you are actually putting the laptop into DFU Mode. When these Apple Silicon Macs act up, it can be extremely difficult to get them into DFU Mode even when you have done it many times before.


First, make sure to review the instructions in this Apple article (everything Apple mentions is critical for success, even the smallest details):

Revive or restore a Mac with Apple silicon using Apple Configurator - Apple Support


Make sure you are using an Apple USB-C charging cable....this will be the Apple USB-C cable which has no symbols on the USB-C connectors, or you can use a USB-C to USB-A Cable if connecting to a non-USB-C Mac. And you must connect the USB-C cable to the "broken" Mac to the back left USB-C port. The host Mac needs to be running macOS 12.4+.


Make sure the Apple Configurator 2 app is open on the host Mac since you will need to reference it to determine what the "broken" Mac is doing. If you see "Connect Devices" in the center of the window, then it should indicate the "broken" Mac is powered off. If you see a large padlock symbol, then it means the laptop is powered on/booted. If you see "DFU" in the center of the window, then the "broken" Mac should be in DFU Mode....this is what you want to see.


You need to ensure the "broken" Mac is fully powered off which you do by holding the power button for at least 10 seconds. Release the power button. Then press the proper keys listed in the Apple article. You must press all three of the proper keys and the power button at the same time, making sure to hold them for just 10 seconds, before releasing the keys while still holding the power button (usually only need to hold the power button for another 3 seconds). You should see "DFU" in the center of the Apple Configurator window. When you first press all the keys & power button, you may hear the startup chime within about 3 seconds of holding all keys and an Apple logo, but the screen will quickly go black.


Sometimes you must just keep repeating these steps until you get it right. It can be very frustrating. When trying to hold the power button to force the laptop to power off, you may get a startup chime & Apple logo, maybe even the "hold for startup options". It is probably best to release the power button and wait a few seconds until the screen is black, then hold the power button for a full 10 seconds to power off the laptop. Look at the Apple Configurator window to make sure there is no Padlock shown and only some text mentioning "Connect Devices" in faint text. If you see this within Apple Configurator, then you can try the special keys to access DFU Mode. Remember the Apple article makes it very clear you must use the Left Control key, Left Option key, and Right Shift key along with the power button (aka TouchID button).


Are you trying a "Revive" or a "Restore" as mentioned in this Apple article?

Revive or restore a Mac with Apple silicon using Apple Configurator - Apple Support


Many times a "Revive" will do nothing and a "Restore" will be needed. If the "Restore" fails, then try performing another "Restore" in case something on your host system failed the process. Also make sure to connect the "broken" laptop to the power adapter if you have more than one USB-C port on the laptop, otherwise make sure the "broken" laptop's battery is fully charged. Make sure the host Mac running Apple Configurator is not going to sleep. If the host Mac is also an Apple Silicon Mac, then I highly recommend you modify the "Allow accessories to connect" in the "Privacy & Security" System Setting to "Automatically when unlocked" so it doesn't interfere with the process since the "broken" Mac will appear to disconnect & reconnect during the firmware "Restore" process.


Just out of curiosity, what happened prior to you wanting/needing to perform this firmware "Restore"?



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MAC M1 AIR: DFU mode failing to restore/revive/erase

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