TL;DR
To use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac:
- On Apple Silicon Mac: Hold the power button at startup, then press Command ⌘ + D to run Apple Diagnostics.
- On Intel-Based Mac: Hold the D key at startup to initiate Apple Diagnostics, then follow on-screen instructions.
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.
If your Mac is having problems that a reboot doesn’t fix, Apple Diagnostics can help you identify hardware issues. In this guide, I’ll show you how to easily run Apple Diagnostics on any Mac, whether it’s Apple Silicon or Intel-based, so you can quickly find out what’s wrong.
How to Use Apple Diagnostics to Test Your Mac
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To run Apple Diagnostics on your Mac, first determine if your device has an Intel or Apple Silicon processor. You can find this information on Apple’s website. Here is how you can run Apple diagnostic on your Mac:
On Apple Silicon Mac
Follow these steps to use Apple diagnostics to test your Mac with an Apple Silicon chip:
- Disconnect all peripheral devices except the keyboard, mouse, Ethernet, display, and power cable.
- Power off your Mac.
- Power on your Mac and continue holding the power button until the startup options screen with the Options icon appears.
- Press the Command ⌘ + D keys.
On Intel-Based Mac
Follow these steps to use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac with an Intel processor from 2013 or later:
- Disconnect all external devices except the keyboard, mouse, Ethernet, display, and power cable.
- Shut down your Mac from the Apple menu.
- Press the power button and immediately press and hold the D key on your keyboard until a list of languages appears.
- Select a language, and Apple Diagnostics will start automatically.
- Once the checking process is initiated, completing it usually takes 2-5 minutes.
- You’ll see a report listing any issues detected when the test completes.
- If you see an error message or reference code, note it and contact Apple Support or an authorized Apple service provider for further assistance.
- To re-run the test, click Run the Test Again or press Command ⌘ + R.
- If you don’t want to repeat the test, click Restart or Shut Down.
If Apple Diagnostics doesn’t show any errors but your Mac is still acting weird, try running it again after disconnecting any external drives or devices. Sometimes they interfere with the test.
Common Apple Diagnostics Codes
Here are some common Apple Diagnostics reference codes and what they typically mean for your Mac’s hardware:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PPP001 – PPP003 | Power adapter issue |
| PPT002 – PPT003 | Battery needs replacement |
| PPP007 | Power adapter not tested |
| PPT001 | Battery not recognized |
| VFD001 – VFD005 | Display issue |
| VFD006 | Graphics processor issue |
| 4ETH | Ethernet connection issues |
| CNW001 – CNW006 | Wi-Fi hardware issues |
| 4MEM | RAM or memory module problems |
| PPM001 | Memory module issue |
Apple Diagnostics may not always provide a comprehensive analysis. If your Mac is still having issues after running the test, consider reaching out to Apple Support or an authorized service provider.
Run Apple Diagnostics on Your Mac
Running Apple Diagnostic on your Mac can help identify various hardware issues. If you’re facing software-related issues, here are some tips to help you get your Mac back on track:
- Free up your Mac’s RAM to optimize its speed and performance.
- Delete junk files on your Mac regularly to save space and improve its speed.
- Run a virus scan on your Mac to eliminate malware and harmful agents.
