MacBooks are the most sought after Apple product because of their advanced hardware design, quality manufacturing, and optimised dedicated macOS for the specific hardware. Usually, they are trouble-free products that can give you years of loyal service. They won’t need hours updating software, fixing hardware compatibility problems or widespread virus issues. Above all, they have a much longer lifespan than a Windows-based laptop. However, MacBooks do face issues. Sometimes our customers experience a MacBook not turning on or they get stuck in startup mode.
Although the cause of your MacBook not turning on can vary in each case, here are a couple of simple steps to take when things do go wrong:
- Make sure your MacBook is receiving power
Although this is a simple step, it is a top priority. Firstly, check if your Mac has sufficient battery power to turn on. The pre 2012 MacBook model has a battery check button and a battery status indicator on the right-hand side of the case. Push this button. If you don’t see any light, then you have a flat battery. Apple removed this function on the newer models. There is no way to check the battery on the new model unless you open the back case or use professional equipment.
The good news is even you have a flat battery, you still can power up the MacBook with an external power source. Ensure the cable of your MagSafe or USB-C charger is undamaged. Plugin your charger to a legitimate known power source outlet. Check any green light or orange light on the MagSafe connector.
Sometimes, if you have a completely flat battery, it may take a few minutes before you MacBook turns on. If in doubt, use a known trusted charger to try again.
2. Check for signs of power
Check sounds in a quiet environment: fan spinning air noise, hard disk spinning noise, supper drive motor startup noise and chime.
Next, check lights in a dark environment: Keyboard Backlight, Caps Lock key, Sleep Indicator Light in the front of the case. Shine a torch from the back of the screen through the Apple logo to check any dim image.
Any of these signs indicate that your MacBook has already powered up and there are other issues preventing your MacBook from working.
3. Complete A Power-Cycle
Disconnect any accessories from the MacBook including USB drive, mobile phones. Force your MacBook to shut down by pressing the power button and holding it down for 10 seconds. If a MacBook did not shut down properly, it will not respond to the normal power button operation. Wait for a few seconds and press the power button as normal.
4. PRAM reset
Press and release the power button. Next, immediately press Option+Command+R+P at the same time for 30 seconds. You may need to repeat this process a few times. This will clear any previous settings stored in the PRAM. A settings error could prevent the MacBook from working.
5. System Management Controller (SMC) reset
Press the power button and hold it down for 10 seconds, then release the button. This step ensures the MacBook is in OFF status.
Press Shift+Control+Option keys on the left-hand side of the keyboard and the power button all at once. Hold these keys and the power button for 10 seconds.
You may need to repeat this process for a few times. Please note the option key on the left side of the space bar is slightly different from the option key on the right-hand side. You must use the left-hand side key.
6. If your MacBook can power up now but cannot load macOS properly, try safe mode
Safe mode limits the macOS to its most basic functions, allowing you to recover your MacBook. You can activate this mode by pressing the power button and simultaneously pressing shift. Once the login dialogue shows up, release the shift key. You could try running some maintenance utilities such as the ‘Disk Utility’ option to try to repair your Mac’s disk.
If the Disk Utility doesn’t work and you’re still asking ‘why is my MacBook not turning on?’ then you can attempt to reinstall macOS on your Mac. Click the ‘Reinstall macOS’ option in safe mode to have your Mac download the latest macOS operating system. Reinstalling the OS can not guarantee your data is safe. If your data is important then you may need to go to a MacBook data recovery service provider.
7. Come to IT-Tech Online to get your MacBook Logic Board checked
If you have attempted all of the steps above and you still aren’t having much luck with your MacBook, it is possibly an issue with the hardware itself. You should come to our store so we can assess the logic board. Luckily, this is usually not the end of the world and you still have a good chance of fixing your MacBook.
Click here to read a recent job that we completed on a MacBook Air which had issues loading up, our diagnosis and how we fixed it.
Contact IT-Tech Online on (03) 9563 8588 for any Mac repairs today.