The Mac is one of the most reliable microcomputer you’re able to corrupt , which is probably why there ’s a heightened sense of anxiety when you conjure the major power button and nothing happen . But take a deep breathing space . When your Mac wo n’t start , there are a figure of reasons why , and most probable , it ’s an easy fix . Apple has asupport documentwith advice on what to do when your Mac wo n’t turn on , but we ’re going to give you a minuscule more contingent and a few more matter to watch . Be sure to bookmark this page for when it needs happens again .
Before we start , let this be a lesson to keep a backup . Whether you use a cloud service , salt away important files on iCloud Drive , or use Time Machine with an external drive , you ’ll want to check that your most personal stuff that is n’t already in a cloud — local text file , files , movies , music , etc . That way even if you require to wipe your Mac and start over .
We also have the watch over articles that might be helpful :
Your Mac won’t power up
Make sure it’s not actually on
If you press the tycoon button and nothing happens , it might in reality already be on . It sounds dizzy , but when a MacBook battery dies it goes into hibernation mode and it can be problematic to state if it ’s actually on or not . take heed for fan noise ( though even Macs with fans are pretty quiet when they are n’t doing anything ) , and check for light indicators , such as the backlighting on a MacBook keyboard or the Touch Bar on a MacBook Pro .
Also , look at the presentation . If it ’s a recondite black , the screen is in spades off , but if the color is more like an extremely dark Thomas Gray that ’s close to ignominious but not quite , it ’s on . you could tell by checking the dividing line on a MacBook or iMac between the black bezel and the video display — it should meld seamlessly if it ’s powered down . If you ’re using an external display , look for a power index number LED on the front , and hold that the cable connection is secure .
If you ’ve find out that your Mac is in reality on and not responding , you could try the erstwhile catholicon : a restart . If you do n’t eff how to do that , see below .
Check your connections
Beyond asking , “ Is it plug in ? ” we have a few more obvious issues that can often posit inauguration problems .
The power cable to the Mac . This can sometimes get ping loose , especially if you have a MacBook that you move around a lot . When I use my MacBook Pro on my lap while it is charging , sometimes the Thunderbolt big businessman adapter becomes more or less unplugged and I do n’t even understand it . If it ’s been unplugged and the battery is dead , see above .
The power adapter in the wall . If you ’re not using an extension cable , the weight of the MacBook major power adapter could cause it to fall out of a business leader socket . Also , the power adaptor brick can somehow get disconnected from the prong module — that happened to me recently while moving thing around for the cable television guy . If you have a screen background Mac , it may have become unplugged while be active your desk .
The power funnies / UPS.If your Mac is plugged into a major power strip or UPS , control to see it has n’t been alternate off or unplugged .
The outlet . Seems silly to note this , but blackouts and blow fuze can fall out , and during daylight hour you may not notice . As I write this on an unplugged MacBook Pro , the TV LED lighting is the only obvious and immediate indicant I can discover in the way that the powerfulness is on , so if the powerfulness live out , I wo n’t know until I look at the TV . You could check your electrical circuit breaker or electrical fuse box . Also , check the power release itself by plugging in something else .
module do well to stay on the business leader arranger , but it is possible for it to slide out of place .
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Check the cables and peripherals
If you ’ve determined that power is available and everything is plugged in , permit ’s see if we can sequester the job .
Try a unlike power cable or adapter . line can get tweaked , and power adapter can be rendered useless if there was a power surge . If you do n’t have a spare part , necessitate a Quaker .
Disconnect peripherals . It ’s potential that something attached to your Mac is disrupting the boot process . Disconnect anything that ’s not call for to run your Mac : printers , international non - boot memory , cameras , etc . ( you may give your shiner and keyboard connected , as well as the video display on desktop Macs . ) If you ’re using a Mac Pro , verify the internal constituent are seated properly .
Plug in your MacBook and wait a few proceedings . If you ’re seek to boot a MacBook using barrage fire power , possibly the battery is drain . countenance it appoint for a few minutes , then stress booting again .
Cycle the power
You have index , and all the connection are unspoiled . you may hear do a power cycle , which essentially forces your Mac to restart the boot process . Here ’s how to do a power cycle .
MacBooks : Press and contain down the power push button for 10 second . The MacBook could make a squeal and then close down if it ’s on . Press the great power button again to turn it on .
Desktop Mac : Hold down the power button for 10 seconds . Then disconnect the Mac for another 10 seconds before plug it back in . Press the king button to turn it back on .
Your Mac turns on, but won’t boot
If a normal startup is unsuccessful , you need to re-start in Safe Mode again and then see if you could check for any macOS and software updates , since there ’s likely an upshot with the O . If everything ’s up to date , there are a few more fixes you could try .
If the ikon on the left come out during Mac inauguration , it means the operating system on the startup twist is n’t compatible . The ikon on the veracious have in mind that the startup twist has not been find or the set up organisation software is no loner operate .
readjust the NVRAM / PRAM.This is for Intel Macs only;NVRAM on M - series Macsworks other than and does n’t have an easy way for resetting . NVRAM and PRAM is used by the Mac for quick access to organization circumstance . It ’s potential that a place setting here got corrupted , so a reset may help oneself fix thing .
To reset the NVRAM / PRAM , turn off your Mac . Then hold down Command+Option+P+R as you change by reversal the Mac on . Keep holding down those keys until you acknowledge that the Mac restarts and the Apple logo appears .
After the Mac completes its startup , you ’ll necessitate to go into System Preferences and make some adjustments to the sound volume , screen firmness of purpose , and other circumstance to your liking .
Reset the SMC.This is also for Intel Macs only ; M - series Macs do not have a scheme management controller ( SMC ) . And the way to readjust the SMC depends on the type of Intel Mac you have .
Fix the firmware
If you ’ve followed all of the step here and your Mac still wo n’t commence up , the problem could dwell within the microcode . If you have another Mac , you could try connecting the two together and performing a revive or restore . We havecomplete instructionsfor both Intel and M - serial Macs in a disjoined article and all you ’ll need is a USB - C information cable .
Boot into Safe Mode
You ’re able-bodied to wrench on your Mac . Progess ! But if your Mac wo n’t startle up all the way , you ’ll still need to do some work to get it work on .
Safe Modeis a boot cognitive operation where the Mac uses only what ’s necessary to pop out up — it does n’t adulterate login particular , optional organisation extensions , and non - macOS baptismal font . It also clears out scheme caches and checks your startup phonograph record for problem . The method for spark off Safe Mode depends on the Mac you are using :
If the Mac successfully bring up into Safe Mode , you’re able to try immediately restart the Mac again and see if it will startup normally . If it does , the problem might only be temporarily fixed . We urge checking your login items , the apps , and service that automatically launch at startup . To correspond your software system login items , go toSystem Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items . You ’ll call for to go through the process of isolating what software is problematic by unchecking items , resume , chequer an item , restarting , repetition .
Boot into macOS Recovery
Disk Utility . If you ’ve reached this step , there ’s likely a fairly large problem with your Mac , but it ’s not hopeless yet . When you boot into Recovery mode you may get at Disk Utility , among other things . In this situation , Disk Utility is used to repair any issues with your inauguration drive . Here are the instructions .
These are the main tools you may access when you bring up into macOS Recovery .
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After perform the boot operation above , the Mac will ask for a watchword , and after you figure it , you ’ll see a window with four option . ClickDisk Utility , which will launch the Disk Utility app . Now take after these instructions to repair your inauguration disk .
Reinstall macOS
You ’ve reach the nuclear option , which is to reinstall macOS . Boot into macOS Recovery ( as distinguish above and selectReinstall macOS , which will launch the macOS installer , which will take you through the process . It ’ll take about an hour or so , and you should be able to reinstall the Library and important bits without losing any of your information . However , if the system ca n’t read your disk , you may need to efface your disk to install it .
On M - serial Macs you ’ll be using Big Sur , Monterey , or Ventura but Intel Macs might be a little wily . or else of the Command - R key stroke above , you may boot into macOS Recovery over the internet using two method acting . If you have n’t update the operating system , useShift - selection - statement - Rduring startup to apply the version of macOS that come with your Mac , or the closest reading still available . you may also pressOption - program line - Rduring startup to get the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac , assuming you ’ve been keeping up with updates .
Call Apple support
If , after all that , the Mac still wo n’t complete its startup appendage , it ’s time to contact Apple support . Before you do so , note down key points of behavior the Mac display while trying to startup , such as when pauses occur , when the startup drag one’s feet , any unusual things that show up on the screen , etc . This data can help Apple support diagnose your trouble . you’re able to either call , chat online , or make an appointment at an Apple retail computer memory .
