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Published on: 27.10.2023 | updated on: 09.04.2024
The MacBook is known for its reliability, but there's no such thing as a piece of electronics that never fails. Even your dependable laptop may one day refuse to turn on, and at that point, it's easy to panic, with your work and entertainment potentially in jeopardy. We've been there, which is why we have prepared this comprehensive guide to troubleshoot a MacBook that won't turn on.
In most cases, there are steps you can take to revive your MacBook, especially if you follow our systematic approach that helps you fix your MacBook at home. Our first step is to discuss the most common causes why a MacBook might refuse to turn on, ranging from a dead battery to overheating.
We will walk you through the troubleshooting process and help you pinpoint the issue. Identifying the root cause is crucial, as this is the only way to not only fix your MacBook but also determine whether the repair can be performed in the comfort of your home or not.
Next, we guide you through various methods of fixing a MacBook that won't turn on, ranging from simple tips such as buying a new charger to ways to react to water damage.
The above guidelines should be enough to get your MacBook up and running, but our years of expertise in computer repair taught us that not every problem can be fixed by yourself. In cases such as these, we will help you find a professional repair service to turn to. Ultimately, our guide is the only resource you need to fix a MacBook that won't turn on.
There are several reasons why a MacBook might refuse to turn on, but the most common culprits include:
A dead battery
A faulty charging cable
Malware, glitches, or bugged MacOS updates
Overheating or water damage
Hardware-related issues, such as problems with the motherboard, the processor, or the screen
Not all of these problems can be fixed without professional help; for instance, issues with the motherboard or the processor often require difficult repairs and part replacement. However, the vast majority of reasons why a MacBook won't turn on can be solved at home, with leading fixes such as these:
Try to use a different charger or outlet
Plug your MacBook in and leave it for up to an hour to ensure the battery can recharge if it's fully depleted
Boot the MacBook in Safe Mode
If overheating, take your MacBook out of the sun, inspect it for damage at the back of the chassis, and leave it in a cool spot for several hours before trying again
If your MacBook shows any sign of life when you plug it in to charge, this points to the cause not being that serious—it may have just run out of battery. Give it a little time and then try to turn it back on.
However, if none of the fixes described in our step-by-step guide below helped solve this problem, your next best bet is to contact a professional repair service.
At Simply Fixable, our expertise lies in troubleshooting, diagnosing, and fixing all kinds of problems with the MacBook, including instances where it might refuse to turn on. Throughout this article, the steps we provide have been carefully refined based on our experience dealing with this problem over countless different instances. The information found in this article comes from our highly experienced repair technicians, and the guide has been written by a tech journalist who personally tested every method.
If your MacBook suddenly turns off and won’t turn on, it could be one of the following reasons.
1. The first possibility is that your MacBook’s battery is dead. It could be preventing it from turning on.
2. You’ve been using a faulty charger that prevents your MacBook from charging and turning on.
3. Your MacBook’s Operating system crashed, which is causing Startup problems.
4. If you’ve been using your MacBook for a long time in a hot temperature, this will cause your device to overheat and won’t turn on.
5. There is a troubled peripheral device connected to your device. Such devices can cause Startup problems on your MacBook.
6. There could be serious hardware issues like faulty RAM or problems with the logic board.
It is unlikely that the entire system of your device is corrupted. There could be a minor software glitch or a component is misbehaving. Let’s look into the solutions to get your MacBook up and running.
1. Ensure your MacBook is fully charged or is charging when you connect it to a charger.
2. Now that it is fully charged, you must boost your MacBook. Press the power button for a few seconds; if you hear the fan is running, that indicates a software problem. And if it's completely silent, something is wrong with its hardware.
3. If your MacBook still won't turn on, enable a power cycle. It will force restart your device. Follow these steps to do so.
4. Try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) of your MacBook. Its instruction can vary depending on the model you're using.
5. Boot your MacBook in safe mode. You do that by pressing and holding the Shift key. Release it when your device starts up in Safe Mode.
6. If none of these solutions works, the problem can be hardware-related. Contact Apple support to get immediate help.
If you're wondering why my MacBook Air won't turn on, keep reading. This article will guide you on how to fix it.
1. Your MacBook Air battery is completely drained.
2. You are using a damaged charger that's not charging your device.
3. It could be a software glitch that won't let your Mac turn on.
4. Your device is overheated.
5. Some serious damage to the hardware is causing start-up issues.
1. Charge your Mac for at least 30 minutes to rule out the possibility of a drained battery.
2. Check for damage on your Mac's charger or cable.
3. Force restart your device by pressing the power button for 10 seconds and then releasing it.
4. You can try resetting PRAM or NVRAM by using specific key combinations during the start-up of your device.
5. Boot it in Safe mode to determine if the problem is related to software or hardware.
1. Use Apple-certified chargers and cables to charge your MacBook Air.
2. Regularly back up your data on iCloud to avoid data loss.
3. Always update your MacOS on time. That will prevent software-related issues.
Is your MacBook Pro not turning on? Then don’t worry, you are not alone. Some Mac users have reported this problem. Luckily, we have presented a list of solutions to troubleshoot this problem.
1. The problem could be simple, like a dead battery.
2. That can easily be fixed. A certain program is tampering with the Mac start-up process.
3. You are using a damaged charger or cable. It can cause start-up problems.
4. The MacOS crashed while using the device. Such problems are rare, but they do happen.
5. The problem is hardware-related and won’t be resolved without professional help.
1. You can start charging your MacBook Pro for 30 to 60 minutes.
2. If it doesn’t turn on, then force restart your device. The procedure is mentioned earlier.
3. Another way to solve this problem is by booting your device in Safe mode. This will help evaluate if the problem is software-related.
4. You can also boot your Mac’s Hard drive. You can do so by installing a new Operating system on the device.
5. If nothing works, contact Apple support or take your MacBook to an Apple store.
1. Regularly back up your data so that in the case of a problem, all your precious data is saved.
2. Ensure your MacOS and other software on your device are up to date.
3. Be careful when using it and avoid taking it near water bodies.
It can be very frustrating when your MacBook won’t turn on. Your first thought is that its battery is dead, but after plugging, you find out it is not charging either. Here is what the problem could be.
1. The battery is completely drained, and the device won’t turn on until fully charged.
2. You are using a damaged cable or charger.
3. There is some problem with the display of your Mac.
4. Certain problems with the software are preventing it from turning on.
5. There is some issue with the hardware of your MacBook.
1. Fully charge your Mac and see if it turns on then.
2. Make sure the charging cable is not damaged. If it is, then get a new Apple-certified cable.
3. If your Mac has non-removable batteries, reset the System Management Controller.
4. Boot your MacBook in Safe Mode.
5. Install a new Operating system on your device.
1. Make sure to back up your data every week.
2. Frequently update your macOS and software.
3. Carefully use your MacBook and its charging accessories. Don’t let them fall.
4. Always buy Apple-certified chargers and cables.
Here is how you can fix this problem and prevent it from happening again.
Why Won’t My MacBook Turn On But Is Charging?
1. There is an issue with the software of your MacBook.
2 You have attached a lot of peripheral devices to your device.
3. The SMC of your device is not working properly
4. There are some hardware issues.
1. Unplug all the peripheral devices attached to your MacBook.
2. Reset the SMC of your device (Note: resetting SMC will not erase the data from your Mac)
3. Check the battery. If it looks swollen, then that is causing start-up problems. Replace the battery as soon as possible.
4. Attempt a power cycle on your MacBook.
1. Use your MacBook and its accessories carefully. Don’t let them fall or get any physical damage.
2. Be punctual when it comes to backing up your data.
3. Don’t overcharge your device. This can shorten the battery life and even make it swollen.
The problems are the same even if you use a lighter version of the MacBook. Its solution and prevention are similar to the MacBook Pro.
Let's find out why you're having this problem and how to fix it.
1. Maybe the power is not turned on, or the charger is not correctly connected.
2. There are peripheral connections that are interfering with the Mac's display setting.
3. Another possibility is that you unknowingly dimmed your laptop's screen.
4. The macOS of your device is corrupted.
1. Let it charge for at least 20 minutes to ensure the problem is not battery-related.
2. Disconnect all peripheral and external devices from your MacBook.
3. Reset your screen brightness. Press the F1 or F2 buttons to increase the screen brightness.
4. If you know the problem is a black screen, then force restarting your Mac will help.
5. Reset the System management controller and Mac's NVRAM settings.
1. Always use your MacBook with care, and don't let it fall.
2. Install all the latest updates and security patches on your device.
3. Don't attach many or unnecessary external devices to your MacBook.
The solutions will be similar to that of a MacBook Pro.
You’re working on a project due in 30 minutes, and your MacBook suddenly shuts down and is now turning on. It is indeed a nerve-wracking situation. Let us help you fix your problem.
1. Your device is overheated and suddenly shut down to prevent further malfunctions.
2. The battery of your Mac is dead and won’t turn on until you fully charge it.
3. Another reason could be a software glitch or bug.
4. A troubled peripheral device is causing conflicts in the device.
1. Firstly, let your MacBook cool down for a while. Try turning it on after 10 minutes.
2. Remove all the external devices and try turning the device on.
3. If it still doesn’t work, try force start. This should start your Mac.
4. If the problem persists, contact Apple Support.
1. Don’t use your MacBook in extremely hot temperatures. If you notice it heating up, stop working on it for a while.
2. Regularly update your device and limit external devices.
There is a reason why everyone stops you from using electronic devices near water. Water damage is severe and can cost you a fortune when you’re getting it fixed. Here are some solutions you can practice.
1. The liquid entered the internal wiring of your MacBook and damaged the logic board.
2. Water can cause short circuits, which may be why your MacBook won’t turn on.
1. Take quick action and connect all peripheral devices.
2. Try to drain the water out. Place it in a warm place, and don’t open it up for at least 24 hours.
3. Go to Apple support for immediate help. There is nothing else you can do at home.
1. Never use your MacBook near water, such as a bathtub or a pool.
2. Always place your MacBook in a waterproof bag when you go out.
Just like overheating, cold MacBooks aren't even good. Here are some of the problems and their solution.
1. Cold temperature depletes the MacBook's battery, which may be why it won't turn on.
2. Some parts of the MacBook may have contracted due to cold temperatures. It causes start-up issues.
1. Keep your Mac in a warm place until it returns to optimal temperature.
2. After that, recharge the depleted battery.
3. If it still won't turn on, then do force start.
4. You can contact support if none of these solutions work.
1. Always use it in a place that is not too hot or cold.
2. Put your device in a bag If you are going out in the cold temperature.
1. Plug your MacBook to a charger.
2. Press any key on the keyboard or tap on Trackpad.
3. This will turn on your Mac.
A MacBook is an excellent device with many amazing features. But like any other device, it can face problems sometimes. Follow the guidelines given in this article and enjoy a seamless experience with your MacBook. If you cannot solve the issue by yourself, it's recommended to get your MacBook fixed by one the professional MacBook repair service providers.
Reviewed by Monica J. White
Linkedin: Monica J.White
Expertise: Technology, PC Hardware, Software, Gaming
Monica is a journalist with a lifelong interest in technology. Monica attended King's College London and obtained her bachelor's degree in English Language and Linguistics. She then went on to get a master's at that same university, this time focusing on Global Media Industries. She first started writing over ten years ago and has made a career out of it, with a special focus on PCs and mobile devices. She enjoys the challenge of explaining complex topics to a broader audience, whether it's how semiconductors work or how to troubleshoot a tablet. Her work has previously appeared in Digital Trends, Tom's Hardware, Pay.com, SlashGear, Forbes, Springboard, Looper, Money, WePC, and more.
Tech Writer | Photographer
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Madi is a dynamic tech writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts. Her expertise lies in creating clear and concise guides, blogs, manuals, and tutorials that empower users to navigate the technological landscape with ease. Throughout her career, Madi has worked with numerous leading tech companies, collaborating with engineers, developers, designers and marketers to create user manuals, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and tech articles, on the websites such as "Technology Castle" and "Bilzimo". She can transform intricate technical jargon into user-friendly language, empowering users to understand and utilize products effectively.
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