So, you’re sitting there, trying to get your MacBook going, but it just won’t turn on. The screen stays black. Nothing happens when you press the power button. Total bummer, right? Whether you use your MacBook for work, school, or just chilling with some Netflix, a dead laptop can seriously mess with your day.
Don’t freak out just yet. There are a bunch of reasons why your MacBook might not be powering up, and some of them are pretty easy to fix. This blog MacBook Not Turning On? will walk you through the most common causes and how you can try to get your MacBook back to life by the top MacBook repairs Adelaide.
First of all, make sure your MacBook is actually getting power. It sounds obvious, but sometimes the charger might be the problem. Maybe the cable is loose, the adapter is broken, or the power outlet itself isn’t working.
Also, try plugging your charger into a different outlet to see if that helps. Also, look closely at your charger and cable for any visible damage. Frayed wires, bent connectors, or broken plugs can stop your MacBook from charging properly.
If you have access to another charger that works with your MacBook, give it a shot. This way you can figure out if the charger is the culprit.
If your MacBook’s battery is completely drained, it won’t turn on until it has enough charge. Sometimes, if the battery has been dead for a long time, it can take a while to charge up enough to power on.
Plug your MacBook into the charger and wait at least 10 to 15 minutes. If you see no signs of life at all — no lights, no sounds — the battery might be totally dead or the charger might not be working. Also, if your battery is old, it might have lost its ability to hold a charge, and you might need a replacement.
At times, Macs can be stuck in a strange state where they do not respond to the power button. In this event, do a force restart.
To force a restart, simply hold the power button down for at least 10 seconds. This forces your MacBook to shut down completely if it is stuck. After 10 seconds passed, press the power button again to see if it turns on.
If it still does not turn on, continue to the next step.
The SMC, or System Management Controller, is a tiny chip located on your Mac that is responsible for handling power management and other low-level functions. If the SMC is malfunctioning, your MacBook may not turn on or charge correctly.
Resetting the SMC will vary according to which Mac you have, but here is the general method for most MacBooks with non-removable batteries:
Power down the MacBook
Shut down your MacBook.
Plug in the charger.
Press and hold the Shift + Control + Option keys on the left side of the keyboard along with the power button at the same time.
Hold all four keys for 10 seconds.
Release all keys and press the power button to turn on your Mac.
If you have a Mac with Apple’s M1 or later chips, resetting the SMC isn’t necessary since it’s handled automatically by the system.
Sometimes, your MacBook might be on, but the screen isn’t showing anything. This could be due to a display problem and not a power issue.
Try these quick checks:
Listen closely to see if your MacBook is making startup sounds or if the keyboard backlight comes on.
Connect your MacBook to an external monitor or TV using the right cable. If the external display shows your desktop, then your MacBook’s screen might be broken or disconnected.
Try adjusting the brightness using the keyboard keys. Maybe the screen is just dimmed all the way down.
If the external monitor works, you probably need a screen repair.
If you own an older MacBook that you can take the RAM sticks in and out of, you could have an issue with one of the RAM modules being loose or bad, which could lead to the startup issues you are having. If you can remove and reinsert the RAM sticks, it might be worth a try if you're comfortable with doing that.
For the majority of the newer MacBooks, RAM is soldered, and so you can't do this. If you are having other hardware issues, like a bad logic board or problems with other components, it's best just to take it to an Apple Store or an authorized repair shop.
There are times when your MacBook is definitely turning on, but once again the system can't get a bootable OS due to software issues. You may have a black screen or a spinning wheel. You can try to boot your system in Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key as soon as you hit the power button to turn on your MacBook. Safe Mode only will load minimal system files which may allow you to sort out some software issue.
If Booting into Safe Mode works, you can then restart your computer to see if it will then boot up normally. If it still does not boot, you may need to try to reinstall macOS through macOS Recovery:
Turn off your Mac.
Press the power button and immediately hold the Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.
From the recovery menu, select “Reinstall macOS” and follow the instructions.
Accidentally pouring coffee or water onto your MacBook can be devastating. If your Mac was exposed to water, it may not turn on or act erratically.
Corrosion may be observable around ports, or you may smell something strange. If you suspect liquid damage, shut your MacBook down immediately and don’t try to turn it on again. Take it to a repair shop as soon as you can to prevent any further damage.
Some MacBooks have little LED lights on the charger or near the charging port. These little lights can show you if your MacBook is powered.
If the Amber or Green light is on the charger, it is connected, and you are charging. If you have a light, something may have died with your charger or power outlet.
If none of these tips work, it’s probably time to visit an expert. Apple Stores or authorized service providers like Fix N Talk, the best Phone Repairs Adelaide have the tools to diagnose and fix tricky problems.
Don’t try to open your MacBook yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing.
It’s annoying when your MacBook won’t turn on. But in most cases, the problem isn’t a total disaster and can be fixed at home. Don’t panic and try these steps one by one. Often, the fix is something simple like a dead battery or a bad charger.