Mac won't turn on? 7 things to try before a repair

2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Check the power cable and charger, hold the power button for ten seconds to force it off, then press it again. On a laptop, charge for at least 15 minutes first. If it still shows nothing, disconnect all accessories and try again.

A Mac that seems dead often has a flat battery, a faulty charger or is stuck with the screen off. Work through these before booking a repair.

Step by step

  1. Check the power

    Make sure the cable is firmly in at both ends and try another wall socket. On a MacBook, look for the charging light on a MagSafe cable, and try a different USB-C cable and adapter if you have them.

  2. Charge a laptop for 15 minutes

    A completely empty battery needs a while before the Mac will start.

  3. Force it off, then on

    Hold the power button, or the Touch ID button, for about ten seconds. Let go, wait a few seconds and press it once.

  4. Check whether only the screen is dark

    Listen for a start-up chime, fan noise or the sound of a key press. Turn up the brightness. On a desktop Mac, check the display's own power and cable. If the Mac is running but the screen is black, the display is the problem.

  5. Unplug accessories

    Disconnect everything except power: drives, hubs, printers and displays. A faulty accessory can stop a Mac from starting.

  6. Start in safe mode

    On a Mac with Apple silicon, hold the power button until "Loading startup options" appears, select your disk, hold Shift and click Continue in Safe Mode. On an Intel Mac, hold Shift straight after pressing the power button. If it starts, restart normally afterwards.

  7. Use macOS Recovery

    On Apple silicon, hold the power button until startup options appear and click Options. On Intel, hold Command + R while starting. From there you can run Disk Utility's First Aid or reinstall macOS without erasing your files.

Good to know

If you see a folder with a question mark, a circle with a line through it, or a padlock, Apple has a support page for each start-up screen. Search for "If your Mac starts up to" and the symbol.

Liquid damage and a Mac that will not respond at all after these steps need a repair. Book an appointment with Apple or an authorised service provider.

Once it runs again, make a backup: how to back up a Mac with Time Machine.

In short: Check power, charge 15 minutes, hold the power button ten seconds, unplug accessories, try safe mode and Recovery.

Sources
  • Apple Support: If your Mac doesn't turn on

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.