How to Restore the Mac if it Doesn't Start Up

If your Mac does not turn on and you've already checked the physical connection and tried to restart it, we give you a number of options you can try to boot your Mac.

Make sure your Mac turns on

"On" and "start" are two terms often used interchangeably. Here, "power up" refers to the fact that the computer is starting up and "boot up" refers to starting the operating system.

Restore Mac

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To verify that your Mac turns on, press the start button on your computer and listen carefully. If the fan turns on, your Mac turns on (even if nothing appears on the screen). If there is no noise, no reaction, do the following two actions:

  • Use a different charger or power cord, your Mac may not turn on because its power cord no longer works.
  • Unplug external accessories, some printers and external hard drives (among others) may interfere with your computer.
  • If nothing happens, then go directly to step 8.

Reset of the force

When your Mac turns on but doesn't seem to show any signs of life, force it to reboot. It's as simple as holding down the power button for 10 seconds.

You should hear a "click" confirming that the power has been turned off. Wait at least another 10 seconds before turning the computer back on.

Check the screen

If you are using an iMac, the problem may be on the screen, not on the computer itself. Apple has published a guide to the various problems that can occur with your screen display.

Recovery mode

If your Mac boots but the operating system won't launch it, it may be due to a damaged disk. To solve this problem, run the disk utilities:

  • Force your computer to shut down by unplugging it or by holding down its start button.
  • Turn on your Mac and immediately press (hold) the Command and R keys. Your Mac is now in recovery mode, allowing you to access the utilities on the disk.
  • Click the icon on your hard disk called Disk Utility and then click Check Disk. If errors are detected, a message will be displayed asking if you want to restore them.
  • Recovery mode also gives you access to your time machine, allows you to restart your Mac, and search for online help through Safari.

Safe Mode

Safe Mode allows you to start a Mac despite its errors and to fix them. It prevents your Apple computer from loading software at startup, checks your hard drive and removes certain caches from the system.

To start Safe Mode, turn off your Mac, turn it back on, and immediately press Shift. A window will open, the option will appear Start without extensions, login to your Mac.

Check the file system

This trick is a little more advanced.

  • Turn off your Mac and turn it back on by holding down the Cmd and S keys.
  • You can release these buttons when the black screen appears (with blank text messages).
  • Wait until the text finishes appearing, then type fsck-fy and press Return. Wait a few (long) minutes.
  • One of these messages appears on the screen: The volume -name of your mac- seems fine or the file system was modified.
  • If you find the first message, then type reboot and press Return.
  • If you have the 2nd message, then type the command fsck-fy and press Return.
  • If you get the same result, then go to the next step.

Reset the NVRAM memory

NVRAM stores data that do not disappear even when the computer is turned off (sound volume, screen resolution, etc.). Resetting this data can be useful sometimes, and cannot damage the computer. To do so:

  • When restarting the computer, hold down the Cmd, Option, P and R key.
  • When you hear the computer restart once, release the keys.

In some cases, resetting the NVRAM memory allows the computer to restart normally. However, you may not be able to complete this command (the progress bar will stop along the way).

Restart MSC

One of the last steps before reinstalling your macOS is to restart the System Management Controller (SMC). This will be used to solve any battery or power problems.

  • Plug your computer into an electrical outlet.
  • Simultaneously press the keys: Shift (right keyboard shift) + Control + Option (Alt) and the power button for 7 seconds.
  • Release it.
  • Wait, then turn on your Mac.
  • For a MacOS desktop:
  • Turn off your computer, unplug it.
  • Wait 15 seconds, then reconnect it.
  • Wait five seconds and then turn it on.

Using the target disk mode

This step must be done before reinstalling your MacOS and depends on your backup mode.

If you have already made a backup of your computer content using your time machine, a cloud or an external hard drive, you can go directly to step 10.

If not, try to save as much data as you can, for that you probably need another Mac. These are the steps to follow:

  • Connect both Macs with a Thunderbolt cable, if you have an older model, then use a FreWire.
  • Turn off your Mac (force your computer to shut down if necessary).
  • Turn it on by holding down the T key until the Lightning icon appears on the screen.

Your computer is now in target disk mode, which means it acts as an external hard drive.
Normally you should see it appear in the Finder on the second Mac.

You can import the files you want on the second Mac or even clone the entire disk and save it to an external hard drive.

Reinstalling macOS

You can reboot your operating system from the disk utilities.

  • Force your computer to shut down by unplugging it or by holding down its start button.
  • Hold down the Cmd and R keys while you restart the computer.
  • Your Mac is then in recovery mode, which allows you to access the utilities on the disk.
  • Click Restart MacOS.

For more details on this step, we suggest you consult the Apple tutorial.

Make an appointment at the Apple Authorized Service Center

If you have tried the above methods but your computer refuses to turn it on, then it is time to make an appointment at the Apple Authorized Center.

Content (Click to view)
  1. Make sure your Mac turns on
  2. Reset of the force
  3. Check the screen
  4. Recovery mode
  5. Safe Mode
  6. Check the file system
  7. Reset the NVRAM memory
  8. Restart MSC
  9. Using the target disk mode
  10. Reinstalling macOS
  11. Make an appointment at the Apple Authorized Service Center
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