TL;DR
Try these fixes if your Mac won’t turn on:
- Check the power connection, battery condition, and any physical damage.
- Reset SMC/NVRAM, power cycle, boot in Safe Mode, or run diagnostics.
- Repair disks with Disk Utility or use Recovery Mode to restore macOS.
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.
The dreaded spinning beach ball, a dark screen, or an unresponsive keyboard—if your Mac won’t turn on, I’ve been there. When my Mac shut down unexpectedly, I tried everything until I found a fix. Here’s what worked for me, and I’m sharing it to help you too.
How to Fix Your Mac That Won’t Turn On
Why You Can Trust MacBook Journal 
We always conduct first-hand research and verify every method or solution we present, ensuring you receive reliable and effective advice. Learn more about our process.
Keep reading for a detailed guide on each above-mentioned method to fix the issue:
Part 1: Basic Diagnostics
If your Mac won’t turn on, start with some basic checks before trying complex solutions:
- 🔌 Check the Power Connection: Make sure your Mac is properly plugged into a power source. If you’re using a laptop, try a different power adapter.
- 🔋 Test the Battery Condition: If your Mac doesn’t respond when plugged in, it might be a battery issue. Try leaving it plugged in for a while to charge before turning it on.
- 🔍 Inspect Physical Damage: A quick physical inspection can reveal if any damage is causing the problem. Look for any obvious signs of damage, such as water damage or broken components.
Part 2: Troubleshooting Startup Issues
If your Mac still doesn’t turn on, let’s try some proven troubleshooting methods:
1. Perform the Power Cycle
Here’s how to perform a power cycle on Mac:
- Press and hold your Mac’s Power button for about 10 seconds.
- Release the button and wait for a few seconds.
- Then, press the Power button again to start your Mac.
2. Reset the SMC
Resetting the SMC reverts it to its default settings, clearing any errors or conflicts and resolving power-related issues. Follow these steps to reset the SMC on your Mac:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Hold down Shift ⇧ + Control ^ + Option ⌥ on the built-in keyboard, and press the Power button at the same time.
- Release all keys, then press the Power button again to turn on your Mac.
3. Reset the NVRAM or PRAM
Resetting the NVRAM/PRAM clears these settings and returns them to their default values. Here’s how to reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + P + R.
- Release the keys after about 20 seconds.
- This will reset the NVRAM or PRAM, fixing the turning-on issue.
4. Boot in Safe Mode
To boot your Mac in Safe Mode, follow these steps:
- Turn on or restart your Mac.
- Immediately press and hold the Shift ⇧ key.
- Release the key when you see the login window.
- You’re now in Safe Mode. You’ll see Safe Mode written in the menu bar.
5. Run Apple Diagnostics
Here’s how to run Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac for hardware issues:
- Disconnect all external devices except keyboard, mouse, display, Ethernet connection (if applicable), and connection to AC power.
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn on your Mac, and immediately press and hold the D key on your keyboard.
- Keep holding until you see a screen asking you to choose your language. Apple Diagnostics is now running.
Part 3: Troubleshooting Software Issues
Sometimes the issue isn’t with your hardware but with the software. Here are some steps to diagnose software issues if your Mac won’t turn on:
1. Use macOS Recovery Mode
Use macOS Recovery Mode to access tools like Disk Utility or reinstall macOS to fix software issues:
- Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command ⌘ + R.
- Release the keys when you see an Apple logo, spinning globe, or other startup screen.
- You should see the macOS Utilities window. From here, you can restore from a Time Machine Backup, reinstall macOS, get help online, or use Disk Utility.
2. Verify and Repair Disks Using Disk Utility
Use Disk Utility in macOS Recovery to identify and repair hard drive issues like file corruption or bad sectors. Select the disk or volume, click First Aid, and follow the prompts to fix problems. If the disk is failing, back up your data and replace it.
For a detailed guide on using Disk Utility, check out this article.
📞When It’s Time to Call the Experts
If your Mac still won’t turn on after trying everything, it’s time to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider. If your Mac is under warranty or covered by AppleCare, repairs might be free. Apple Support can guide you through additional troubleshooting, or an authorized provider can diagnose and fix the issue in person.
⚠️ Remember to have your Mac’s serial number and any relevant purchase information on hand when contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Authorized Service Provider. This will help expedite the troubleshooting and repair process.
Turn On Your Mac Without Any Issues
Now that you know how to fix the Mac won’t turn on issue, here are some more tips to prevent any similar issues in the future:
- For a black screen issue on your Mac, force restart, reset SMC, boot in Safe Mode, or reset NVRAM/PRAM.
- For a white screen issue, disconnect peripherals, force restart, boot in Safe/Verbose Mode, or reset SMC/NVRAM.
- For random shutdowns, check power, quit heavy apps, update macOS, reset NVRAM, or run Apple Diagnostics.
