7+2 tips if your MacBook won’t turn on
Macintosh computers are reliable and efficient devices, but issues can sometimes occur — for example, when a MacBook won’t turn on. In this article, we share 10+ tips on how to handle the situation and try to restore your system.
1. Check the physical connection
Make sure you actually pressed the power button (on MacBook Air, for example) and heard the usual startup sound
Hold down the power button for about 10 seconds. On Touch ID models, press and hold the Touch ID
TIP: If nothing changes, check the power supply and cable quality, and disconnect all external devices. Sometimes using a different cable can solve the issue.
2. Troubleshooting display issues
- If the Mac turns on but there’s no image, try disconnecting and reconnecting the display. Check compatibility and connectors
- If something appears on the screen:
- If you see anything (e.g. a flashing question mark or prohibited symbol), it means the MacBook turns on, but the system fails to boot
- If nothing appears on the screen:
If the Mac turns on but the display stays completely black, it may indicate a software issue
3. Start Disk Utility mode
If the system doesn’t boot but the display works, try starting in Disk Utility Recovery mode. This can help identify disk-related issues.
Hold down Command + R, then turn on the Mac
The macOS Utilities menu will load
Select Disk Utility from the sidebar
Click the disk repair/check option in the bottom right and wait until it finishes
4. Safe Mode boot
If macOS fails to start normally, try Safe Mode, which can sometimes resolve the issue:
Turn off the Mac, then press and hold the Shift key while turning it back on
It may take longer to boot; for detailed info, you can press Command + V
This enables Verbose mode, which helps with troubleshooting
Be patient — if it starts successfully, try restarting normally afterward
5. Reset NVRAM
This special memory area stores certain settings even after shutdown.
Press Command + Option + P + R together, then turn on the Mac
Keep holding until you hear the startup sound again or see a restart
Then release the keys
This usually resolves the issue, although sometimes the charging indicator may appear.
6. Reset SMC
If your MacBook still won’t turn on, resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) may help. This is often a last step before reinstalling the system.
Hold Shift + Control + Option + Power button for about 10 seconds
Then turn on the device
IMPORTANT: If you don’t have an external backup, data loss may occur.
7. Reinstall macOS
If everything else fails, reinstall macOS using Recovery mode.
+1 Contact our service
If none of the methods work and the issue persists, contact our service for further diagnostics and repair.
Our experienced team provides fast and efficient solutions tailored to your needs at competitive prices. Check our pricing and trust us with your device!
+2 Sell your used Apple device
If you don’t want to deal with your device anymore and would prefer to upgrade within the Apple ecosystem, MacSzerez also offers trade-in and purchase options for Apple devices.
Our expert team is committed to helping you make the most of your old or unused Apple products — whether it’s a MacBook Pro or a used iPhone.