TL;DR
To fix a Mac stuck at Apple logo, follow one of these methods:
- Force restart your Mac by holding the Power button.
- Boot in Safe Mode to start with essential system extensions to diagnose issues.
- Reset NVRAM or PRAM to reset system settings.
- Reset the SMC to address hardware-related problems.
- Repair the startup disk using Disk Utility to fix issues with the startup disk.
- Reinstall macOS if all other methods fail.
Mac stuck on Apple logo – that’s a dreaded sight I faced recently when my MacBook Air M1 (2020) got stuck and wouldn’t boot. I wasn’t sure what to do but with some research and trial, I finally got it working. Then, I thought I should create a guide to help others in the same situation. So, here’s a straightforward, easy-to-read resource-packed guide with the steps I’ve personally used to fix my Mac stuck at Apple logo.
Before We Begin
Cache and junk files often pile up, leading to issues with your Mac booting up normally and getting stuck at the Apple logo. Download MacKeeper and use its Safe Cleanup to remove junk files and make sure your Mac won’t freeze again.
How to Fix Mac Stuck at Apple Logo
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If your Mac is stuck on Apple logo during bootup, you can try one of the following solutions. I’ve tried them all on my MacBook Air M1 (2020), but they’re also compatible with other models.
1. Force Restart Your Mac
When my Mac was stuck at the Apple logo, the first thing I did was force restart it. Since nothing was working, it was my only option at that point. It’s a quick 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
Booting your Mac in Safe Mode is a great diagnostic tool. Safe Mode starts your Mac with the minimum required software and drivers, which can often bypass the issue causing the startup problem. It can also determine if a software conflict or incompatible software causes the bootup problem.
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.
Here’s how to boot your Mac in Safe Mode to fix your MacBook stuck at Apple logo:
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.
3. Reset NVRAM or PRAM
Resetting NVRAM (nonvolatile random-access memory) or PRAM (Parameter RAM) can solve various startup issues on your Mac, including being stuck at the Apple logo. This process resets certain settings stored in this memory, like sound volume, display resolution, startup disk selection, and more.
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.
4. Reset the SMC
The SMC is responsible for controlling various hardware components on a Mac, including power management, fans, and some input/output functions. Resetting the SMC can clear any errors or conflicts preventing your Mac from starting up properly.
The process for resetting the SMC varies depending on your Mac’s battery type. If you have an older Mac model produced before 2009, it should have a replaceable battery.
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.
5. Repair Startup Disk Using Disk Utility
Your Mac may be stuck at Apple logo during startup due to an issue with the startup disk. Mac’s startup disk contains the operating system and all the files necessary for it to run. If the startup disk is damaged, corrupted, or experiencing issues, your Mac won’t be able to boot up properly.
One potential solution is to repair the startup disk using Disk Utility. Here are the steps to use Disk Utility to fix a Mac stuck at Apple logo:
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.
6. Reinstall macOS
If nothing else works, you may have to reinstall macOS to fix your Mac stuck at Apple logo. This can resolve any issues with the operating system and get your Mac up and running again.
Before reinstalling macOS, back up your important files to avoid data loss.
Here are the steps to reinstall macOS:
- Connect your Mac to the internet, as you will need to download the latest version of macOS during reinstallation.
- Restart your Mac and hold down the Command ⌘ + R keys while it boots up. It will launch the macOS Utilities window.
- Select Reinstall macOS from the macOS Utilities window and click Continue.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to select your startup disk and begin the reinstallation process.
- The installation process can take some time, so be patient and wait for it to complete.
- Once the installation is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Mac.
- Once you’ve completed the setup process, you should have a fresh macOS installation.
Keep Your Mac Clean With MacKeeper to Prevent Boot-Up Issues
Unwanted junk and unnecessary files can be the source of your Mac’s lagging performance, frequent crashes, slow loading times, and failure to boot. Maintaining your Mac’s health and performance is crucial for avoiding boot-up issues like getting stuck at the Apple logo.
MacKeeper is a popular utility software that can help keep your Mac clean and optimized. Its Safe Cleanup quickly frees up disc space, improves startup speed, and enables your Mac to run at its best.
Here’s how it can assist:
- Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
- Open MacKeeper and select the Safe Cleanup option from the left menu.
- Click Start Scan to scan your Mac for any issues causing it not to boot.
- Once the scan is complete, select the items you want to remove or click Check All.
- Click Clean Junk Files.
- If the issue persists, click Rescan.
What Else Can MacKeeper Do?
MacKeeper is an all-in-one utility tool that can do much more than just clean junk files on your Mac. You can use it to run a virus scan on your Mac, free up Mac RAM, and manage the login items. If you want to learn more about its features, read my detailed MacKeeper review.
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.
