Fix Unstoppable System Extension Error After macOS Sonoma Update

Key Takeaways

After updating to macOS Sonoma, many users face a recurring "System Extension Error," especially those with Apple Silicon Macs and external audio devices like Universal Audio, MOTU, and RME.
The issue is tied to new security measures in macOS Sonoma, which make it difficult for third-party system extensions to get necessary approvals.

The macOS Sonoma update has brought a frustrating issue for many users: the “System Extension Error.” After updating to this version, users, especially those with external devices like audio interfaces (Universal Audio, MOTU, RME), are facing an error that pops up repeatedly. Even after following the system’s instructions to restart and approve the extension, the error comes back, leaving many users in a frustrating loop.

This problem is more common on Macs with Apple Silicon (M1 and M2 chips), and it often leaves essential external devices completely unusable.

Contents show

What is the System Extension Error in macOS Sonoma?

The “System Extension Error” is an issue that occurs after updating your Mac to macOS Sonoma. This error typically affects external devices that rely on third-party system extensions, such as audio interfaces, external sound cards, and other hardware. When the error pops up, the macOS security settings require you to approve the extensions in order for the device to function properly.

However, the problem arises when even after clicking “Details” in the Privacy & Security settings and following the prompts to restart your Mac, the error message appears again after reboot. This leaves many users stuck in a loop where the system extension is never fully approved, and the external device remains unusable.

For users who rely on Universal Audio (UA), MOTU, RME, or similar devices, this error can be particularly frustrating as it prevents their Mac from recognizing their hardware, effectively stopping any workflows that depend on these devices.

This error appears to be linked to Apple’s updated security protocols in Sonoma 14.6.1, which has made it more difficult for some third-party extensions to get the necessary approvals to function correctly, especially on newer Apple Silicon (M1/M2) machines.

Common Causes of the System Extension Error

The “System Extension Error” in macOS Sonoma can be triggered by several factors. Understanding these causes can help pinpoint the root of the problem and guide you to the right solution.

1. New Security Measures in macOS Sonoma

With the release of macOS Sonoma 14.6.1, Apple introduced tighter security protocols that affect how system and kernel extensions are handled. These extensions are crucial for certain third-party hardware and software, such as audio interfaces. Apple’s changes mean that these extensions may not get approved automatically, especially if they are considered outdated or not optimized for the new version of macOS.

2. External Audio Drivers Not Being Recognized

Many users report that external audio devices, such as those from Universal Audio, MOTU, and RME, fail to get recognized by their Macs after the update. The error message prompts users to approve the extensions in Privacy & Security settings, but even after doing so, the approval does not seem to stick. This leaves the device unusable.

3. Issues with Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Macs

Users with Apple Silicon Macs (M1 and M2 chips) seem to experience this issue more frequently. While Intel-based Macs have also reported the error, it appears that Apple’s security measures for Apple Silicon have created more complications for these third-party extensions. The tighter integration of the hardware and software on these chips seems to make it harder for certain external drivers to gain the necessary system permissions.

4. Incomplete Extension Approvals

In some cases, the approval process in the Privacy & Security settings is incomplete. Instead of the usual “Allow” button that would fully approve the extension, users are seeing a “Details” button that asks for a restart, but the extension remains blocked even after restarting the system. This repetitive cycle is one of the core frustrations behind this issue.

Unstoppable System Extension Error in macOS Sonoma: Step-by-Step Fix

If you’re facing the “System Extension Error” after updating to macOS Sonoma, there are a few simple steps you can try before diving into more complex troubleshooting.

1. Restart and Approve Extensions

The first and simplest solution is to manually approve the extensions in the macOS “Privacy & Security” settings.

Go to System Settings.
Navigate to Privacy & Security.
Look for a section that says, “System software from developer needs approval.”
Click on Details, then select the software extension that needs approval.
Enter your password and restart your Mac.

Why This Might Fail:

In many cases, users report that after restarting, the same error pops up again. This means that the system is still not granting full permission to the extension, despite following the process correctly. If this happens to you, don’t worry—there are additional steps you can try.

2. Change Startup Security Settings

If simply approving the extension doesn’t work, you can try adjusting your startup security settings.

Shut down your Mac completely.
Turn it back on and immediately press and hold Command (⌘) + R to boot into Recovery Mode.
Once in Recovery Mode, open the Startup Security Utility from the Utilities menu at the top.
Choose your startup disk and then click Security Policy.
Select Reduced Security and make sure to enable “Allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers.”
Restart your Mac.

This method allows your Mac to permit extensions from third-party developers. Once restarted, go back to the Privacy & Security settings to approve the extension again.

3. Uninstall and Reinstall Drivers

Another common fix is to completely remove and reinstall the driver for your external device.

Uninstall the current driver for your external device (e.g., Universal Audio, MOTU, RME).
- Go to the manufacturer’s website and find the instructions for properly uninstalling the driver.
Restart your Mac.
Download and install the latest version of the driver from the manufacturer’s website.
After installation, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and approve the extension.
Restart your Mac again and check if the device is recognized.

macOS Sonoma 14.6.1 System Extension Error: Advanced Troubleshooting

If the basic solutions didn’t fix the problem, you can try some more advanced troubleshooting steps. These methods are a bit more technical but can help resolve the persistent “System Extension Error” on macOS Sonoma.

1. Use Terminal to Reset System Extensions

In some cases, resetting all system extensions through Terminal can help. This process will remove all system extensions and allow you to reinstall them properly.

Step 1: Open Terminal (you can find it in Applications → Utilities).
Step 2: In the Terminal, type the following command and press Enter:
bash
```
systemextensionsctl reset
```
Step 3: Restart your Mac after running this command.

This will reset all system extensions and potentially clear any issues related to the drivers that were causing the error. After rebooting, you will need to reinstall the drivers for your external device (e.g., UA, MOTU, RME) and approve the extension in Privacy & Security settings.

Note: Use this option carefully, as it will reset all system extensions, not just the ones causing the problem. It’s a more drastic measure but can be helpful if the simpler steps didn’t work.

2. Reinstall macOS or Downgrade

If none of the above solutions work, you may need to consider reinstalling macOS or downgrading to a previous version. Here’s how:

Reinstall macOS Sonoma 14.6.1

Reinstalling the same version of macOS can fix corrupted system files that may be causing the extension error.

Make sure you have a recent backup (use Time Machine to back up your important files).
Boot your Mac into Recovery Mode by restarting and holding down Command (⌘) + R.
In the macOS Utilities window, choose Reinstall macOS.
Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS without losing your data.

Once reinstalled, go through the same steps to approve the system extension in Privacy & Security settings.

Downgrade to macOS 14.6

If you have a Time Machine backup of macOS 14.6 (or an earlier version), you can downgrade to that version until Apple releases a fix. To do this:

Boot into Recovery Mode by holding Command (⌘) + R during startup.
In the macOS Utilities window, select Restore from Time Machine Backup.
Follow the instructions to select the backup of macOS 14.6 and restore your system to that version.

Note: Downgrading will restore your Mac to its previous state, meaning any files or changes made after the backup will be lost. Be sure to back up anything important before proceeding.

Reset System Integrity Protection (SIP)

Sometimes, System Integrity Protection (SIP), a security feature in macOS, might prevent you from approving extensions. If SIP is disabled or malfunctioning, resetting it can help:

Boot into Recovery Mode by restarting and holding Command (⌘) + R.
Open Terminal from the top Utilities menu in Recovery Mode.
In Terminal, type the following command and press Enter:

csrutil enable

This will enable SIP if it is disabled.

Restart your Mac.

Once SIP is enabled, try approving the system extension again in Privacy & Security.

Update to macOS 14.7 Beta

Apple might be working on a fix for this issue, and some users have reported that updating to the macOS 14.7 Beta has resolved the problem. If you’re comfortable using a beta version of macOS, you can try this:

Go to Apple’s Beta Software Program website.
Enroll your Mac and download the macOS 14.7 Beta.
Follow the instructions to install the update.

After updating, go through the usual steps to approve the system extension and check if the error is resolved.

Conclusion

If you’re dealing with the unstoppable “System Extension Error” after updating to macOS Sonoma 14.6.1, these solutions should help you get your Mac back in working order. Start with the simple fixes like approving extensions and reinstalling drivers, and if needed, move on to more advanced steps like resetting system extensions or reinstalling macOS.

If the issue persists, it’s possible that Apple will release an official fix in an upcoming update. Meanwhile, staying in touch with the developers of your external devices (like Universal Audio or MOTU) can also help, as they may release updated drivers to solve the problem.

FAQs

1. What devices are most affected by the Sonoma 14.6.1 System Extension Error?

External audio interfaces like those from Universal Audio, MOTU, and RME are most affected. The issue is more common on Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2), which blocks the system extensions these devices need to function.

2. Why doesn’t approving the extension in Privacy & Security settings always work?

Approving the extension often fails because macOS Sonoma’s new security protocols can block or fail to activate third-party drivers, especially for external audio devices, even after a restart.

3. Is it safe to downgrade macOS to fix the issue?

Yes, but downgrading will restore your system to an earlier state. Make sure to back up important files, as you may lose recent data or system changes.

ALSO READ: