Mac Won't Turn On? Step-by-Step Fixes

You press the power button on your MacBook or iMac. Nothing happens. No chime, no Apple logo, no fan whirring. Just darkness. Before you assume your Mac is dead, work through this list. About 80% of "won't turn on" Macs are fixable in under 10 minutes.

1. First, is it actually plugged in and getting power?

It sounds obvious, but check:

• Power cable firmly seated at both ends
• Wall outlet works (test by plugging in a lamp)
• Power strip switched on, surge protector not tripped
• If the cable is older, check for fraying or damage near the connector

On a MacBook charger, the LED on the MagSafe connector should glow when it's getting power and connected. If it's dark, the charger or cable is the problem. Borrow another Apple charger if you can and test.

2. Drain residual power and try again

Sometimes the Mac is in a confused power state. To clear it:

For MacBook (Apple Silicon, M1/M2/M3/M4):

1. Unplug the power adapter
2. Hold the power button for 10 seconds
3. Release, wait 30 seconds
4. Plug the adapter back in
5. Press the power button to start

For Intel MacBook: Same steps, but try a Safe Mode boot if normal boot fails (hold Shift while powering on).

For iMac or Mac mini:

1. Unplug the power cable from the wall
2. Hold the power button on the back for 10 seconds
3. Wait 30 seconds
4. Plug the power cable back in and press the power button

3. Let it charge for 15 minutes (MacBook with dead battery)

A MacBook with a completely drained battery may not respond instantly when plugged in. Give it 15 minutes connected to power before trying to start it.

4. Listen and feel for signs of life

Before assuming the Mac is dead, see if it's actually running but the screen is the issue.

Press the power button and listen for:

• The startup chime (older Macs only)
• Fan spinning up
• Keyboard lighting up
• A click or buzz

If you hear or feel anything, the Mac is on but the screen isn't working. Try plugging in an external monitor (HDMI, USB-C, or Thunderbolt depending on your model). If the external monitor shows the desktop, your built-in display has failed but your Mac is fine.

5. Reset SMC and NVRAM (Intel Macs only)

This section is only for Intel Macs. Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4) reset these automatically. Skip if you have an Apple Silicon Mac.

Reset NVRAM/PRAM:

1. Shut down the Mac
2. Press the power button and immediately hold Command + Option + P + R
3. Keep holding for 20 seconds
4. Release when you hear the startup sound twice (or the Apple logo appears twice on newer Intel Macs)

Reset SMC on a MacBook with non-removable battery (most modern Intel MacBooks):

1. Shut down the Mac
2. Hold Shift + Control + Option (left side) + the power button for 10 seconds
3. Release all keys, then press the power button to start

For other Intel Mac SMC reset steps, check Apple's SMC reset guide.

6. Boot into Recovery Mode

If your Mac powers on but doesn't boot fully (Apple logo with progress bar stuck, flashing question mark, etc.), Recovery Mode lets you repair the disk or reinstall macOS.

On Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4): Hold the power button until you see "Loading startup options." Click Options, then Continue.

On Intel Macs: Hold Command + R while powering on. Keep holding until the Apple logo or globe appears.

In Recovery, use Disk Utility to run First Aid on the startup disk. This repairs common file system issues that cause boot failures.

7. Check what the screen is showing

If the Mac partially boots, the screen often tells you what's wrong:

• Flashing folder with question mark: No startup disk found. Drive may be failing or disconnected.
• Prohibitory sign (circle with line through it): The version of macOS on the drive doesn't match the Mac. Reinstall macOS.
• Globe icon: Mac is trying to boot from Internet Recovery. Wait, or connect to Wi-Fi.
• Lock icon asking for a password: Firmware password set. You'll need that password or Apple Support help.

When it's a real hardware problem

If you've tried everything above and your Mac is completely unresponsive, you're looking at:

• Failed battery (most common on MacBooks 4+ years old). $129-199 at Apple.
• Logic board failure (rare, usually after liquid damage or impact)
• Power supply failure (iMacs)
• Failed display (especially if you heard signs of life in Step 4)

Apple Stores do free diagnostics. Apple Authorized Service Providers are often faster. Independent repair shops are cheaper but vary in quality.

Video walkthrough

Video by Tech Time on YouTube