MacBook Pro/Air Won't Turn on? 10 Fixes + Bootable Recovery Tips
If your MacBook or iMac won't turn on, try the following troubleshooting methods: check the power cord and outlet, press the power button for 10 seconds, disconnect and reconnect the power cord, check for loose connections, try a different power source, reset the System Management Controller (SMC), reset the Power Management Unit (PMU), and if none of these methods work, consider taking your device to an Apple Store or authorized service provider for further assistance.
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What Causes MacBook or iMac Failing to Turn on
Mac won't turn on is an issue where your Mac fails to boot due to various reasons, such as hardware or software problems, power issues, or corrupted system files. This can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue.
- If any of the key components such as keyboard, screen, SSD drive, battery, or touchpad fail, your Mac may not be able to start up.
- The System Management Controller (SMC) is responsible for managing power supplies in a Mac, ensuring it boots properly. If the SMC fails, the Mac won't turn on due to power-related issues.
- If your Mac's battery is weak, it won't be able to power the device, causing it to stop working.
- A Mac startup issue can also be caused by broken applications, including any firmware or startup application that misbehaves or fails to work properly.
These are some of the key reasons that can create problems for your Mac.
How to Get Your Data Off a Mac That Won't Boot
If your Mac isn't working, you can still recover your important data with the help of Qiling Mac data recovery software. Your data is the most essential thing on your Mac, and this software can help you get it off even when your Mac isn't functioning properly.
The top-Rated Mac data recovery software can help you recover data from a dead MacBook, even if your Mac fails to load the macOS. This software can access and retrieve your files, allowing you to recover important data that might otherwise be lost.
The software offers a bootable recovery option for Macs, allowing users to recover data even if the device won't boot. This feature enables users to quickly rescue their data files.
To rescue data from an unbootable Mac, use Deep Data Recovery Pro. This software can recover data from a Mac that won't boot, even if the operating system is corrupted or the hard drive is failing.
How to Create a USB Bootable Media
Step 1.To create a bootable USB drive for Deep Data Recovery on a Mac, install the software on another Mac computer and go to "File" > "Create Bootable USB". Then, select a USB drive to create the bootable disc.
- Warning
- The creator will prompt to erase the drive to reallocate the space; then it can write the bootable files to this drive. Please back up all USB files before processing "Eraser".
Step 2. The program creates a 2GB space on the USB drive to store the boot files, leaving the remaining space available for storage.
Step 3. Once the process is complete, follow the guide to boot the corrupted Mac from the bootable disc and initiate the recovery. It's recommended to restore the data to an external hard drive.
How to Recover Data from Mac Hard Disk
Step 1. Launch Deep Data Recovery, choose the file types you want to recover, and click "Next" to initiate the recovery process.
Step 2. Select the disk location where you lost data and files, then click the "Scan" button.
Step 3. Deep Data Recovery for Mac will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results on the left pane.
Step 4. Select the file(s) from the scan results and click the "Recover Now" button to recover them.
Follow the 10 Fixing Methods to Repair a Mac That Won't Turn on
If your Mac won't boot, it's recommended to prioritize data recovery first using Deep Data Recovery for Mac, and then proceed with the following methods to resolve the issue.
Fix 1. Check Power Status
To determine if your Mac's battery has sufficient capacity to boot, you can check its power status. If the battery has enough power, your Mac should be able to boot without needing a power cable. If not, you'll need to plug in a power cable to boot it. This is a simple check to ensure your Mac can boot properly.
If your Mac battery isn't working, try plugging in the charger and see if it's charging. Also, check the condition of your power cable adapter - if it's damaged, replace the charger.
Fix 2. Assess the Signs Indicating Power on
To confirm that your Mac is turning on, look for signs such as the power light on the back or side of the computer turning on, the fans spinning, or the keyboard backlight illuminating. You can also check the Apple logo on the screen, which should appear after a few seconds of booting up. If you're still unsure, try pressing the power button or the Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + P + R keys to force the Mac to restart and see if it responds.
- The power button on a computer is usually located on the back or top of the case. If you can hear the fan's noise when the power button is pressed, it could indicate that the fan is working properly.
- Check if any light on your keyboard is lighting up and see if the power cable light is enabled.
- Press the Caps Lock key and look if it lights up. If it does, the keyboard is working.
If your Mac isn't turning on, check if it's receiving power by trying different chargers or fixing the power supply port. If it still doesn't work, the issue might be elsewhere.
Fix 3. Disconnect Peripheral Devices
Unplug all peripheral devices from your Mac, including external mouse, keyboard, HDMI, and printers, as a short circuit in one of these devices may be causing the issue.
If your Mac won't turn on, try disconnecting all peripheral devices and then try to power it on again, as the SMC (System Management Controller) may be preventing it from booting.
Fix 4. Try Mac's Power Cycle
If your Mac won't turn on, try a force restart, also known as a power cycle, by pressing and holding the power button for 10 seconds, then release and press again. This can sometimes resolve the issue.
To enable a power cycle on your Mac, go to System Preferences, then click on Energy Saver. From there, select the "Prevent computer from sleeping" checkbox.
Step 1: Keep pressing your Power button key on Mac.
Step 2: Remove all power cables.
Step 3: Hold the power button key for 10 or more seconds.
Step 4: Restart Mac again.
Fix 5. Check for Display Issues
To resolve the issue, first, ensure the external display has power and is working properly. Next, try connecting the external display directly to the Mac using a different cable, if possible. If the issue persists, check the external display's settings to ensure it's set to the correct input and resolution.
If your Mac fan is working, the issue might be with your external display. Try reconnecting the external device cables securely, ensuring they're properly connected to both the power source and your Mac device.
Fix 6. Check Hardware Cables
Properly connect any internal or external hardware device cables to your Mac, as a loosely connected cable can prevent it from booting.
Check that no internal or external cable is broken from anywhere. You need to replace the cable if there is any tear or fraying on it.
Fix 7. Boot Mac in Safe Mode
There's a good chance that a 3rd party app or drive issue is behind the problem on your Mac, so you might want to try running it in Safe Mode to rule that out.
Safe Mode in Intel-Based Mac
To access safe mode on an Intel-based Mac, turn it on and hold down the Shift key from your keyboard until the login screen appears.
Safe Mode in M1 Mac
To boot your M1 Mac in Safe Mode, hold the power button until the startup options window appears on the screen, then select the startup disk and hold the Shift key as the screen loads. This will allow you to troubleshoot and identify issues without loading unnecessary kernel extensions.
Fix 8. Use Mac's Recovery Mode
Mac's recovery mode allows you to quickly repair your SSD, reinstall macOS, or restore a Time Machine backup, making it a useful troubleshooting tool.
Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Command + R key to enter recovery mode.
To access recovery mode on an M1 Chip, hold the Power Key until you reach the Load startup options, then select the recovery option.
***Fulll guide for you: How to Enter Mac Internet Recovery Mode
Fix 9. Reset SMC
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac can help resolve issues with low-level functions that are not working properly. To reset the SMC, follow these steps:
Step 1: Turn off your Mac.
Step 2: Hit the Power key.
Step 3: Press the Shift + Control + Option + the Power Key for seven seconds.
Fix 10. Schedule an Appointment with Apple Genius Bar
If you're unable to turn on your Mac using the first nine methods, it's recommended to schedule an appointment with an Apple Genius for further assistance.
You can visit https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/ and schedule an appointment with them. They can help you by providing you assistance with your Mac's issue.
Conclusion
Mac boot issues can be frustrating and disruptive, even though they are relatively rare, and can hinder productivity by preventing access to important work.
If your Mac won't turn on, it's likely due to hardware issues, but you can troubleshoot common problems using the methods outlined in the article.
Whenever your Mac runs into a boot issue, it's best to rescue your Mac's data first. Using Deep Data Recovery Pro is a good approach as it allows you to perform bootable recovery on your Macbook.
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