How to Fix a Mac That Won’t Turn On

If your Mac will not turn on, check the power source, charger, display, and connected accessories first. Then disconnect everything except power, hold the power button for up to 10 seconds to force a shutdown, and press it once to start the Mac again. If the Mac still shows no signs of life, try the Apple silicon or Intel-specific steps below. Persistent black screens, unusual sounds, liquid damage, or repeated shutdowns may indicate hardware failure.

Quick Answer

Follow these steps in order:

1. Connect your Mac directly to a working power outlet.
2. Check the charging cable, power adapter, and charging port.
3. Disconnect all accessories, external displays, hubs, and drives.
4. Press and hold the power button or Touch ID button for up to 10 seconds. Release it, wait a few seconds, and press it once.
5. If the Mac appears to start but the screen stays black, check the display and try macOS Recovery.
6. On an Intel-based Mac, reset the SMC if necessary. Apple silicon Macs do not have a separate SMC reset procedure.
7. If Recovery does not work, consider a firmware revive or restore using another Mac—but understand the risks first.
8. Contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider if the Mac has no power signs or shows evidence of hardware damage.

Check Whether the Mac Is Actually Receiving Power

A Mac that appears dead may be running with a failed or dim display. First, look and listen for signs of activity:

• Does the charging indicator appear?
• Does the Touch Bar, keyboard, or Caps Lock key respond?
• Can you hear a fan, startup sound, or drive activity?
• Does the Mac become warm after several minutes?
• Does an external display show an image?
• Does pressing the brightness keys change anything?

If you see a faint image, the problem may be display brightness or backlighting rather than power. If the Mac makes sounds but the screen remains black, skip to Fix a MacBook with a black screen.

Check the Power Source and Charger

Power problems are among the simplest causes of a Mac that will not turn on.

For a MacBook

1. Plug the power adapter directly into a working wall outlet. Avoid a power strip, dock, or monitor during testing.
2. Confirm that the adapter is firmly connected to the charging cable and the Mac.
3. Try another wall outlet.
4. Inspect the cable and adapter for cuts, bent connectors, scorch marks, fraying, or unusual heat.
5. If possible, try another compatible Apple power adapter and charging cable.
6. Leave the Mac connected to power for at least 15 minutes before trying to start it.

A completely depleted battery may not show an immediate response. Do not use a damaged charger or cable.

If your Mac charges through MagSafe, check whether the MagSafe connector is seated correctly and whether its indicator light turns on. Gently remove dust from the connector and port with the Mac disconnected from power. Do not insert metal objects or liquid into the port.

If your Mac charges through USB-C, try a different USB-C port. Some USB-C cables support charging while others are designed mainly for data or low-power accessories. Use a cable and adapter suitable for charging the Mac.

For a Mac desktop

1. Make sure the power cable is firmly connected to the Mac and the wall outlet.
2. Try another outlet.
3. If the Mac uses an external power adapter, check every connection between the adapter, cable, and Mac.
4. Disconnect power from the Mac for 30 seconds, reconnect it, and try the power button again.
5. If the Mac is connected to a UPS, surge protector, or power strip, test it directly from the wall.

For an iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, or Mac Pro, also check whether the display is powered on. A desktop Mac can be running even when its monitor is off or set to the wrong input.

Disconnect Accessories and External Displays

A faulty accessory, dock, hub, external drive, or display can interfere with startup.

Warning: Disconnecting an external drive while it is being used can cause data loss. If the Mac is responsive, eject the drive in Finder before unplugging it. If the Mac is completely unresponsive, disconnecting it may be unavoidable, but avoid doing so during a visible file transfer.

1. Disconnect every accessory except the power cable:
   – USB and USB-C devices
   – Hubs and docks
   – External drives
   – Printers
   – Cameras
   – iPhone or iPad cables
   – Headphones
   – External displays
2. Remove memory cards and other removable media.
3. For a desktop Mac, disconnect nonessential devices from the display as well.
4. Try starting the Mac with only its power connection attached.

If the Mac starts, reconnect devices one at a time. The last device connected before the problem returns may be defective or incompatible.

Force the Mac to Shut Down and Start Again

A forced shutdown can clear a system that is frozen during startup.

Warning: This closes applications without giving them a chance to save. Any unsaved work may be lost. Use this step only when the Mac does not respond normally.

1. Press and hold the power button—or the Touch ID button on a MacBook—for up to 10 seconds.
2. Release the button when the Mac turns off.
3. Wait a few seconds.
4. Press the power button once.

On a MacBook with a Touch ID button, press the button itself rather than repeatedly tapping it. If the Mac was frozen, it may take a moment to display the Apple logo.

Fix a MacBook with a Black Screen

A black screen does not always mean that the Mac has no power.

Adjust brightness and check the display

Press the brightness-up key several times. On some keyboards, you may need to hold the Fn key while pressing the brightness key.

If you use an external display:

1. Confirm that the display is plugged in and powered on.
2. Select the correct input source on the display.
3. Check the video cable and any adapters.
4. Disconnect the external display and try the MacBook’s built-in screen.
5. If possible, test with another display or cable.

If the Mac responds to the keyboard, produces sound, or appears in another device’s network list, it may be running despite the black screen.

Start in macOS Recovery

macOS Recovery is a built-in startup environment used to check disks, reinstall macOS, and access other repair tools. Reinstalling macOS is not the first step; begin by seeing whether Recovery loads.

Apple silicon Mac

1. Shut down the Mac. If necessary, hold the power button for up to 10 seconds.
2. Press and continue holding the power button.
3. Release it when Loading startup options appears.
4. Select Options, then select Continue.

Intel-based Mac

1. Shut down the Mac.
2. Turn it on and immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R.
3. Release the keys when you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.

If Recovery opens, select Disk Utility and choose Continue. In Disk Utility, select the internal startup volume and run First Aid. Follow the onscreen instructions.

Warning: Do not erase the internal disk unless you have a current backup and understand that erasing it removes its data. If First Aid cannot repair the disk, consult Apple Support or a qualified technician before taking further action.

If First Aid completes, restart the Mac from the Apple menu in Recovery. If the Mac still will not start, return to Recovery and consider reinstalling macOS. Reinstalling macOS can preserve user data in many situations, but you should still maintain a backup and carefully read the installer’s instructions.

Try Safe Mode When the Mac Starts but Fails During Startup

Safe Mode prevents some software from loading and performs limited startup checks. It can help identify problems caused by login items, extensions, or other software.

Apple silicon Mac

1. Shut down the Mac.
2. Press and hold the power button until Loading startup options appears.
3. Select a startup volume.
4. Hold the Shift key, then select Continue in Safe Mode.

Intel-based Mac

1. Turn on or restart the Mac.
2. Immediately press and hold the Shift key.
3. Release the key when the login window appears.

If the Mac starts in Safe Mode, restart it normally. If the problem returns, remove recently installed software or login items after backing up important files.

Reset Procedures for Intel and Apple Silicon Macs

Apple silicon Macs

Apple silicon Macs do not use the separate SMC reset procedure found on older Intel models. A complete shutdown and restart usually handles the power-management reset:

1. Shut down the Mac.
2. Wait at least 30 seconds.
3. Turn it on again.

If the Mac is frozen, hold the power button for up to 10 seconds first.

Intel-based Macs: reset the SMC

The System Management Controller, or SMC, manages functions such as power, charging, fans, and some hardware behavior. The procedure varies by Mac model.

Intel Mac laptops with a built-in battery

1. Shut down the Mac.
2. On the built-in keyboard, press and hold Control on the left side, Option (Alt) on the left side, and Shift on the right side.
3. Continue holding those keys for seven seconds.
4. Without releasing them, press and hold the power button.
5. Hold all four keys for another seven seconds.
6. Release all keys, wait a few seconds, and press the power button.

Intel Mac desktops

1. Shut down the Mac.
2. Disconnect the power cable.
3. Wait 15 seconds.
4. Reconnect the power cable.
5. Wait five seconds, then press the power button.

The exact SMC procedure differs for some older Mac laptops with removable batteries. If you are unsure which procedure applies, use Apple Support’s model-specific documentation or seek professional help rather than removing the battery.

Consider a Firmware Revive or Restore

If an Apple silicon Mac or an Intel Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip will not start and cannot enter Recovery, its firmware may need attention. A second Mac can sometimes be used with Apple’s device-repair tools to perform a revive or restore.

• A revive attempts to repair firmware and Recovery without erasing the Mac.
• A restore reinstalls firmware and erases the Mac, returning it to factory-like condition.

Warning: A restore erases the Mac. Do not choose it unless you have a reliable backup or have accepted that the data may be unrecoverable. The process also requires the correct cable and another compatible Mac with internet access. If the process is interrupted, the Mac may remain unusable until the procedure is completed.

Because the instructions depend on the Mac model, chip, cable, and available software, use Apple’s official firmware-revival instructions or have Apple Support perform the procedure. Do not attempt a restore as a first response to a simple black screen.

Signs of Hardware Failure

Contact Apple, an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or a reputable Mac repair professional when:

• The Mac shows no response with a known-good outlet, charger, and cable.
• There is no charging indicator and the battery will not charge.
• The Mac turns on briefly and immediately shuts down repeatedly.
• You hear repeated clicking, beeping, or unusual internal sounds.
• The screen is cracked, has liquid beneath it, or remains black while the Mac clearly runs.
• The Mac became hot, emitted smoke, or has a burning smell.
• The charging port, power connector, or cable is visibly damaged.
• The Mac was dropped or exposed to liquid.
• Recovery will not load and the Mac is not recognized during a supported firmware-repair attempt.

Safety warning: If you smell burning, see smoke, notice swelling, or feel extreme heat, disconnect the power source if it is safe to do so and stop using the Mac. Do not open the Mac or continue charging it.

Troubleshooting

The Mac turns on, but the screen stays black

Disconnect external displays and accessories, increase brightness, and try macOS Recovery. If Recovery appears, the problem may involve startup software or the display. If the built-in screen remains black but an external display works, the internal display, cable, or backlight may need service.

The Mac shows a folder with a question mark

This usually means the Mac cannot find a valid startup system. Start macOS Recovery, open Disk Utility, and run First Aid on the internal disk. If the disk is missing or cannot be repaired, stop before erasing it if you need the data.

The Mac starts only when connected to power

The battery may be depleted, worn out, disconnected internally, or unable to accept a charge. Test another compatible charger and cable. If the behavior continues, arrange battery or power-system service.

The Mac starts and shuts down immediately

Disconnect accessories and try Safe Mode or macOS Recovery. Repeated shutdowns can result from software, overheating, battery problems, or other hardware faults.

The Mac is stuck on the Apple logo or progress bar

Wait several minutes if this is the first startup after an update. If nothing changes, force a shutdown and try macOS Recovery. Use Disk Utility and First Aid before considering a macOS reinstallation.

Nothing works, but the data is important

Avoid erasing the disk, reinstalling macOS without a backup, or attempting a firmware restore. A repair provider may be able to diagnose the Mac or recover data, depending on the failure and the Mac’s security hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I charge a Mac that will not turn on?

Leave a MacBook connected to a known-good charger for at least 15 minutes, then try starting it. A fully depleted battery may need additional time. If there is still no charging indicator or response, test another charger, cable, port, and outlet.

How do I turn on a MacBook with a black screen?

Press the brightness-up key, disconnect external displays, and check for signs that the Mac is running. Then force a shutdown by holding the power button for up to 10 seconds and press it once to restart. If the screen remains black, try macOS Recovery.

Is it safe to force shut down a Mac?

It is generally appropriate when the Mac is completely frozen, but it closes applications immediately and can cause unsaved work to be lost. Avoid forcing a shutdown while the Mac is visibly installing an update unless it has been unresponsive for an unusually long time.

Should I reset the SMC on an Apple silicon Mac?

No separate SMC reset is required for Apple silicon Macs. Shut down the Mac, wait briefly, and start it again. The traditional SMC key combination applies to certain Intel-based Macs.

Can a dead Mac be repaired without losing files?

Often, yes, but it depends on the cause. Power, display, battery, and accessory problems may not affect data. Avoid erasing the disk or performing a firmware restore until you have checked your backups and considered professional assistance.

When should I stop troubleshooting?

Stop if the Mac shows liquid damage, swelling, smoke, burning smells, extreme heat, or physical damage. You should also seek service when the Mac has no response after testing power sources and cannot open Recovery.

Final Thoughts

Start with the basics: verify power, test the charger and outlet, disconnect accessories, and check whether the Mac is running behind a black screen. Use a forced shutdown only when necessary, and follow the correct Apple silicon or Intel startup steps. If Recovery cannot load or the Mac shows physical damage, avoid erasing or restoring it and get professional help to protect your data and hardware.