Apple pushed a patch for a firmware issue that was affecting some MacOS devices. 

The process of installing a new operating system is emotionally draining. On the other hand, the new OS offers new toys to play with as well as improvements to existing functionality. However, there is always the possibility that something may go wrong. Perhaps something in the new operating system is buggy, or perhaps your machine refuses the update, or perhaps your entire laptop is bricked. 

Some consumers reported that the latest MacOS Monterey upgrade entirely shut down their Macs, confirming their worst fears. Several customers reported that after installing Monterey, their machines refused to start up, while others claimed that their ports had stopped working or that their MacBook had been trapped in a cycle of attempting (but failing) to update. 

A request for comment from Apple was not returned. A few days later, tech writer Rene Ritchie tweeted an Apple statement, claiming that the problem was caused by the T2 security chip and had been resolved in a recent update. So, if you've been holding off upgrading, it's probably safe to do so now. 

Users saw similar troubles when MacOS Big Sur was released last year, so the Monterey concerns were not unexpected. That's why, before installing any big upgrade, especially new operating systems, we always recommend backing up your computer. 

If you're ready to update, double-check that Monterey is compatible with your machine. Also, take a look at some of MacOS Monterey's best features.