Mac Won\’t Turn On? 10 Proven Solutions

Quick Fix

Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, release, wait 5 seconds, then press it again normally. For MacBooks, make sure it’s plugged into power for at least 5 minutes before trying – a completely dead battery won’t show any signs of life until it has some charge.

Understanding Why Your Mac Won’t Turn On

When your Mac won’t power on, it’s natural to fear the worst. However, most cases are caused by simple issues like a drained battery, power connection problems, or software that’s preventing proper startup rather than hardware failure.

The symptoms vary: some Macs show no signs of life at all, while others may chime, show a black screen, or display the Apple logo before shutting down. Each symptom points to different potential causes.

Before assuming your Mac needs expensive repairs, work through these solutions. Many users have revived seemingly dead Macs with these methods.

Method 1: Check Power Connection

1. For MacBooks, ensure the charger is properly connected
2. Check that the wall outlet works (try another device)
3. Inspect the charging cable for damage
4. Try a different outlet or power strip
5. Look for the charging indicator light on MagSafe adapters
6. Let a completely dead MacBook charge for 5-10 minutes
7. For desktop Macs, try a different power cable if available

Method 2: Perform a Power Cycle

1. Unplug your Mac from power completely
2. For MacBooks, the battery stays connected internally
3. Press and hold the power button for 10 full seconds
4. Release the button
5. Wait 5 seconds
6. Press the power button normally to turn on
7. Listen for any sounds or look for display activity

Method 3: Reset SMC (Intel Macs)

For MacBooks with T2 chip (2018-2020):

1. Shut down your Mac (hold power 10 sec if needed)
2. Press and hold Control + Option + Shift (left side) for 7 seconds
3. While holding, also press and hold the power button
4. Hold all four keys for 7 more seconds
5. Release all keys
6. Wait a few seconds, then press power button

For older MacBooks:

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

Method 4: Reset NVRAM/PRAM

1. Press the power button
2. Immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R
3. Hold for about 20 seconds
4. On older Macs, you’ll hear startup sounds twice
5. On T2 Macs, hold until Apple logo appears twice
6. Release the keys and let Mac boot normally

Method 5: Check Display Issues

1. Your Mac might be on but the display isn’t working
2. Listen for startup chime, fan noise, or drive activity
3. Press Caps Lock – does the light toggle?
4. Try increasing brightness with keyboard keys
5. Connect an external monitor if available
6. For MacBooks, try closing and reopening the lid
7. If external display works, the internal display needs repair

Method 6: Boot in Safe Mode

1. Press the power button
2. Immediately press and hold the Shift key
3. Keep holding until you see the login window
4. Safe Mode loads minimal drivers and checks disk
5. If it boots in Safe Mode, restart normally
6. Sometimes Safe Mode clears issues preventing normal boot

Method 7: Try Recovery Mode

1. Press the power button
2. Immediately hold Command + R
3. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo or spinning globe
4. If Recovery Mode loads, your Mac’s core systems work
5. Use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk
6. Or reinstall macOS if needed

Method 8: Check for Peripheral Issues

1. Disconnect all external devices (drives, hubs, monitors)
2. Remove any USB devices, SD cards, or Thunderbolt accessories
3. Try starting with only power connected
4. Faulty peripherals can prevent Mac from booting
5. If Mac boots, reconnect devices one by one
6. Identify and remove the problematic device

Preventing Future Startup Issues

• Keep macOS and firmware updated
• Shut down properly instead of just closing the lid
• Use Apple-certified or high-quality chargers
• Don’t let your MacBook battery drain to 0% regularly
• Avoid interrupting macOS updates mid-installation

FAQ

My Mac shows no signs of life at all. Is it dead?

Not necessarily. A completely drained battery or failed power adapter can cause this. Try a different charger if possible, and let it charge for at least 15 minutes. Check for any tiny LED indicators on the Mac.

What if my Mac turns on but shows a blank screen?

This usually indicates a display or graphics issue, not a complete failure. Try resetting NVRAM, connecting an external display, or booting in Safe Mode. The Mac itself may be working fine.

I hear the startup chime but nothing else happens. What’s wrong?

A chime means the Mac passed initial hardware checks. The issue is likely with the display, storage drive, or macOS. Try Safe Mode or Recovery Mode to diagnose further.

Do Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3) have SMC to reset?

No, Apple Silicon Macs don’t have a traditional SMC. Instead, shut down completely, wait 30 seconds, then turn on. Holding the power button for 10 seconds forces shutdown if needed.

How do I know if my Mac’s logic board has failed?

Complete logic board failure is rare. Signs include no response at all to power, no LED indicators, no sounds, and failure even with known-good power adapters. Professional diagnosis is needed to confirm.

Should I try opening my Mac to check connections?

Unless you’re experienced with electronics repair, it’s best not to open your Mac. You may void warranty and cause additional damage. Take it to Apple or an authorized service provider for hardware issues.