How to Troubleshoot a Mac That Won’t Start

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Mac TroubleshootingStartup IssuesAppleDevice ManagementHardwareSoftwarePerformancemacOSUser GuideRepair

Having your Mac not able to start up is certainly a frustrating experience. However, understanding and following a sequence of troubleshooting steps can help identify and hopefully resolve the problem. This guide will walk you through the various steps to resolve the problem. Whether it's a hardware or software issue, this comprehensive guide is designed to help you.

1. Check the power

The first and most important step is to make sure your Mac is getting power. Without power, your Mac won’t turn on. Follow these steps:

• Make sure the power cable is firmly plugged into the electrical outlet and connected to your Mac.
• If you are using a power strip, make sure it is turned on.
• Try plugging the Mac directly into a wall outlet to see if this is the problem.
• If you have a MacBook, check to see if the battery needs charging. If it's completely discharged, let it charge for a few minutes before turning it on.

2. Run a power cycle

A power cycle can help reset hardware components. To power cycle:

• For MacBooks with a non-removable battery: Press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds, then release. Wait a few seconds and try turning it on again.
• For MacBooks with removable batteries: Remove the battery, wait 10 seconds, then reinsert the battery and try turning it on again.

3. Check the display

Sometimes, the Mac turns on but the display shows nothing. To check this:

• Press the power button and listen for any sounds such as fans, hard disk spinning, or startup chimes.
• If you hear such sounds but the screen is black, try adjusting the brightness using the keyboard.
• Try connecting your Mac to an external display to see if it shows anything.

4. Remove all peripherals

A faulty peripheral device can prevent your Mac from starting up. To fix this:

• Disconnect all peripheral devices such as external drives, printers, USB hubs, and other accessories.
• Try restarting the Mac.

5. Safe Mode

Booting into Safe Mode can help troubleshoot software-related issues:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn it on again and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
3. Release the Shift key when you see the login screen.
4. If your Mac starts up successfully in Safe Mode, you can perform the necessary checks and repairs.

6. Reset the NVRAM/PRAM

Non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) and parameter RAM (PRAM) store settings and can sometimes cause startup problems. To reset them:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn it back on and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R.
3. Hold the keys down for about 20 seconds, then release them.
4. Your Mac will restart with the default NVRAM/PRAM settings.

7. Reset the SMC

The System Management Controller (SMC) is responsible for power management and can be reset to fix startup problems. The procedure varies by model:

For MacBooks with a non-removable battery:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Connect the power adapter.
3. Hold down Shift + Control + Option and the Power button for 10 seconds.
4. Release all keys and the Power button.
5. Press the power button to turn on the Mac.

For MacBooks with removable batteries:

1. Shut down your Mac and remove the battery.
2. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
3. Reinsert the battery and press the power button to turn on the Mac.

For iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro:

1. Shut down your Mac and unplug it from the power outlet.
2. Wait for 15 seconds.
3. Re-plug it in and wait for 5 seconds.
4. Press the power button to turn on the Mac.

8. Use Disk Utility

When your Mac won't start, Disk Utility can help fix disk-related problems:

1. Boot your Mac into Recovery Mode by holding down Command + R while you turn it on.
2. Select "Disk Utility" from the macOS Utilities window.
3. Select your startup disk and click "First Aid."
4. If any problems are found, follow the on-screen instructions to fix them.

9. Reinstall macOS

If the above steps don't work, you may need to reinstall macOS. You can do this without losing your data by following these steps:

1. Boot your Mac into Recovery Mode by holding down Command + R while you turn it on.
2. Select "Reinstall macOS" from the macOS Utilities window and follow the on-screen instructions.

Note: If you prefer a clean install, you can erase the startup disk before reinstalling macOS. Remember, this will delete all your data, so make sure you have a backup.

10. Contact Apple Support

If you've tried all the steps mentioned above and your Mac still won't turn on, it's time to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store or authorized service provider. There may be a hardware problem that requires professional repair.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting a Mac that won't turn on involves a process of elimination, checking everything from power sources to software conflicts and potential hardware failures. By following these steps methodically, you can identify the problem and often resolve it without the need for professional help. If the problem persists, seeking assistance from Apple Support is the best solution.

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