TL;DR
To fix Mac stuck at Apple logo:
- Force restart your Mac by holding the Power button.
- Boot in Safe Mode to check for software issues.
- Run Disk Utility to fix startup disk errors.
- Reset NVRAM/PRAM to fix startup issues.
- Reset the SMC to fix hardware issues.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Seeing your Mac stuck at the Apple logo is frustrating, but there are some easy fixes. In this post, I’ll share quick steps to help you get your Mac running again without any hassle.
How to Fix Mac Stuck at Apple Logo
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Keep reading for five best solutions to fix Mac stuck at Apple logo:
1. Force Restart Your Mac
Force restarting your Mac is the quickest way to reset your system without causing any harm. Here’s how to force restart your Mac:
- Press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds. It will force your Mac to shut down completely.
- After your Mac shuts down, wait for a few seconds.
- Press the Power button again to turn on your Mac.
- Check if your Mac boots up to the login screen without getting stuck at the Apple logo.
2. Boot in Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts your Mac with minimal software, making it an excellent tool for diagnosing startup issues. Here’s how to boot your Mac in Safe Mode:
Apple Silicon Macs
- Click the Apple icon and select Shut Down from the drop-down menu.
- Wait for your Mac to shut down completely, and press the Power/Touch ID button to turn it on.
- Keep holding the Power button until you see the Loading startup options screen.
- Select a volume from the options.
- Press and hold the Shift ⇧ key and click Continue in Safe Mode.
- Your Mac will restart automatically, and you will see Safe Boot in the menu bar when the login screen appears.
Intel-Based Macs
- Restart or turn on your Mac and press and hold the Shift ⇧ key immediately.
- Keep holding the Shift ⇧ key until you see the login screen.
- Release the Shift ⇧ key and log in to your Mac.
- You’ll see Safe Boot in the menu bar on your first or second login window.
In Safe Mode, some features and apps might not work as they usually do. The purpose of Safe Mode is purely diagnostic, helping you determine if the issue is related to your Mac’s basic settings or software.
3. Repair Startup Disk Using Disk Utility
Repairing the startup disk using Disk Utility can fix file system errors that prevent your Mac from booting. Here is how to repair the startup disk using Disk Utility:
Before repairing your Mac startup disk, create a backup of your Mac files to prevent data loss.
- Restart your Mac and hold down the Command ⌘ + R keys until the Apple logo appears.
- In the macOS Utilities window, select Disk Utility and click Continue.
- Click the View icon in the top left corner and select Show All Devices.
- You will see all connected disks, containers, and volumes on your Mac in the left sidebar.
- Select the volume, container, or disk you want to repair from the sidebar. Start with the bottom volume and work your way up before moving to the containers and the disk.
- Click the First Aid button at the top of Disk Utility.
- Click Run on the pop-up window. You may be asked to enter your administrator password.
- Wait for First Aid to complete, and then click Done. Repeat these steps for the next volume, container, or disk.
- Restart your Mac for the changes to take effect.
If Disk Utility finds issues that it can’t repair, it may indicate a more serious problem with your hard drive. In such cases, I recommend backing up your data and seeking professional support.
4. Reset NVRAM or PRAM
Resetting NVRAM or PRAM can help resolve various startup issues by resetting key system settings. Here’s how to reset NVRAM or PRAM on Mac:
Intel-Based Macs
- Turn off your Mac and press the Power button to turn it on.
- Press and hold the Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + P + R keys simultaneously on your keyboard before the gray screen appears.
- Keep holding the keys until your Mac restarts and you hear the startup chime twice.
- Release the keys and let your Mac start up normally.
Apple Silicon Macs
On the M1 or M2 Macs, NVRAM does not require manual resetting. Instead, it is tested during startup and will reset itself automatically if necessary. There is no special key combination to initiate an NVRAM reset on an M1 or M2 Mac. Just power it off and turn it back on again.
5. Reset the SMC
Resetting the SMC can fix hardware-related problems that could be preventing your Mac from starting up properly. Below, I have mentioned the steps for resetting the SMC on a Mac with a removable as well as non-removable battery:
Due to the absence of an SMC in Apple Silicon Macs, you cannot perform an SMC reset. Refer to the next method to fix your Mac stuck at Apple logo.
With Removable Battery
- Remove its battery.
- Press and hold the Power button for five seconds.
- Release the Power button and reinstall the battery.
- Turn on your Mac by pressing the Power button.
With Non-Removable Battery
- Tap the Apple icon and select Shut Down from the drop-down menu.
- Press and hold the Shift ⇧ + Control ^ + Option ⌥ keys with the Power button for 10 seconds.
- Release all the keys and press the Power button to turn on your MacBook.
🔄 Last Resort: Reinstall macOS
If nothing else works, reinstalling macOS can fix software problems causing your Mac to get stuck. First, back up your files, then restart your Mac while holding Command ⌘ + R to open the macOS Utilities window. Choose Reinstall macOS and follow the steps on the screen. It may take a while, but once done, you’ll have a fresh system installation.
Fix Your MacBook Stuck on Apple Logo
Now that you’ve fixed the Mac boot-up issue, you’ll want to prevent it from happening again. Here are some tips:
- Update your macOS to the latest version to ensure your Mac is running smoothly.
- Regularly clean up your Mac physically and digitally to prevent dust and debris and cache and junk from piling up.
- Stop your Mac from overheating to prevent random shutdowns and bootup issues.
