If your MacBook Pro won't turn on, don't panic. I know it can be very frustrating when your Mac isn't working properly, but there are a few easy steps to try to turn it back on.
There is always a chance that something more serious is going on with your MacBook, in which case you might have to take it to a professional or, unfortunately, have your Mac replaced.
Sometimes your MacBook Pro may not turn on for simple reasons, which we will look at below.
I've made a quick troubleshooting guide here to help you figure out what might be wrong with your MacBook and how to turn it back on if you're having difficulty in that regard.
If after doing all these steps, your MacBook Pro still won't turn on, it's time to contact a professional for further investigation.
Macbook Pro Quick Fixes Don't Cause Problems
There are a few simple things to check if your MacBook Pro won't turn on, which only takes a few minutes. It's good to start with these small steps, because if the problem is due to one of these issues, you can quickly and easily turn your Mac back on.
You'll want to try and troubleshoot potential issues and figure out exactly what's going on with your laptop.
1. Possible Quick Fix Method
Whether your MacBook Pro shows signs of power or won't turn on at all, here's an easy quick fix that can often fix a crash or other cause of this issue. This is a good first place to start and may be the only fix you really need.
- Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, release and press the power button again.
- Disconnect all accessories and cables from your MacBook, and then repeat the above step.
- Reset the system management controller (SMC).
2. Check the battery and power supply.
The very first thing to check is if your computer's battery has enough power to turn it on. Sounds simple, but I've done this before - I thought there was something really wrong with my Mac when it actually just had a dead battery.
Plug the charger into the charging port on your Mac and into a working electrical outlet. The light on the charging cord and on your Mac should turn on, indicating that your Mac is charging.
If these lights are on, it means that your computer's battery may be low, is currently charging, and should turn on.
If the charger does not work, check the charging cord for damage or wear. The cord might be bad and that might be the problem. You'll also want to make sure the electrical outlet you're using is working. If you don't have power, try switching your charger to a different outlet to see if that works. Connect another appliance, such as a lamp, to the outlet and check if it works.
3. Listen for mechanical noises, look for lights
Press the power button on your Mac and then listen carefully for any sounds. You may hear fan rotation, mechanical clicks or hum, startup noise, or any other noise coming from your computer. If you hear noise, this is a good sign.
This means that your computer does turn on to some extent, but your display does not turn on.
Also, check for any lights that might come on when you press the power button. Look at the keyboard and see if the backlight turns on. Press the Caps Lock key and see if it lights up. If you see any indicators, it means that your Mac is on but there is a problem with the display.
Try these other options later
If the options above didn't work, there are a few more steps you can take to try and turn on your MacBook Pro. Follow the steps listed below to see if this fixes the power on issue.
Safe mode
Safe Mode is a feature that Apple includes with computers, which is basically a simple version of the operating system that you can use when your MacBook isn't working properly. Here's how to enter Safe Mode:
- With your Mac turned off, press the Power button and hold down the Shift button at the same time.
- The Apple logo should appear on the screen, and hold down the Shift key until the login screen appears.
While in Safe Mode, you can uninstall all recent apps or make other changes that may have caused your Mac to not turn on. Sometimes simply going into safe mode and then restarting your computer can also solve the problem.
Recovery mode
This might not work because your computer needs to be on to enter recovery mode, but it's worth a try before taking your computer to a repair shop.
- Press and hold the R command and the power button.
- Release the power button and continue holding Command R.
- You will see the Utilities menu if that worked and from there you can restart your computer to create a TimeMachine backup.
Perform a power cycle (Mac without M1)
The power cycle will force your Mac to restart and resolve issues related to MacBook not starting up. The process mentioned below is for Macs that don't have the new M1 chip. If you have a new MacBook, the process is a little different.
To power cycle a non-M1 MacBook Pro, all you have to do is hold down the power button for about 10 seconds. During the cycle, you will hear some noises from inside the laptop. Your computer will restart and this may fix the problem.
Reset PRAM/NVRAM
Resetting PRAM/NVRAM is another way to fix a MacBook that won't turn on. It works by resetting sections of memory that are running on the computer all the time, whether you use it or not. Sometimes it interferes with normal operation, and a reset may solve the problem.
To reset PRACM/NVRAM, follow these steps:
- Press the keysCommand, Option, P, R andpower.
- Hold down these keys until the computer restarts.
- Once the computer restarts for the second time, you can release the keys.
This process resets both PRAM and NVRAM at the same time.
Send Your MacBook Pro in for Professional Repair
Sometimes you just need professional help to fix something. If none of the steps above helped turn on your MacBook Pro, it's probably time to introduce your Mac to someone who knows more about repairs than you do, or how this guide can help you.
It may cost money, but if they can fix it, it will surely be cheaper than buying a new computer.
