If you hit the power button, your MacBook will not turn on. The MacBook is completely black. What do you do?
Don’t worry! Follow this step-by step guide to figure out what’s happening to your MacBook. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to fix the issue by yourself using this guide, even if you’re not a technical person.
If your Mac isn’t working after trying these suggestions and techniques, you may require assistance from a professional to help you get it working again. We’ll discuss repair options, the solutions offered on the market, and how to pick the most effective services.
1. Verify the power connection
If you hit the Power button or Touch ID button on your MacBook and you don’t see any pictures or videos of any kind on your screen, if you don’t hear a start-up sound, and you do not hear any spinning drive or fan sound, then it’s likely that your MacBook isn’t turning on.
Make sure you check the power outlet.
First, you must check that your power source works. You can connect an LED to the outlet. This straightforward step will let you know if your power source is functioning or not.
Examine your AC cord.
The MacBook charger is equipped with a detachable AC cord. Examine the power cord for signs of wear. Connect the power cord to the wall outlet with a firm grip. Make sure you check the power cord on the charger’s side. Make sure that you plug the power cord securely into the charger and
Make sure you check for the DC cable.
Check the output cable of your charger. Check for fraying or tears within the cable. The USB-C adapter uses an adapter cable that is removable. Connect the cable securely to the adapter.
Use an adaptor that is reputable.
Find a dependable adaptor from family or friends and test whether your MacBook turns on or off.
2. Unplug all attached external devices
In the event that your Mac detects that the devices connected to it are short circuited or draw an excessive quantity of power from it, the SMC will stop the power-on procedure. This protection measure by the SMC stops you from turning on your Mac after it has turned off. You can quickly determine which device is at fault by taking out any device external to it.
Unplug every accessory connected to your Mac, including cables for printing, USB hubs, external USB hard drives, HDMI cables, and Mini display cables, as well as the MagSafe and USB-C power adapters. It could be that one of your peripherals is causing your MacBook to not turn on.
Sometimes, this action can solve the “Mac isn’t turning on” issue.
3. Reset the SMC or the T2 chip.
The SMC is responsible for taking your actions (pressing on the power button), after which it begins and oversees the entire power-on procedure. You could consider the SMC as a tiny computer that runs a tiny operating system. The software can sometimes go off the rails. If this happens to your MacBook, you must restore the SMC.
Resetting the SMC does not result in losing any information on your drive.
The steps below will allow you to reset your SMC on the MacBook equipped with a non-removable lithium battery:
- Hold your power button down for about 10 seconds to make sure that your Mac is back in its off state.
- Connect the MagSafe charger to the power source; hold Shift-Control-Option on the left-hand keyboard and power button at the same time for 10 seconds.
- Release all keys.
- Use the power button in order to turn on your Mac. You have now succeeded in resetting the SMC.
Beginning in 2018, Apple introduced its SMC chip inside the T2 Security chip. The steps below will reset the T2 chip on a MacBook equipped with a T2 chip:
- Hold down the power button for 10 seconds until your Mac returns to its off state.
- Hold and press these three keys for seven seconds The Control key and the Option key are on the left side, and the Shift button is on the right side.
- Press while holding the power button, too. Keep holding the 4 keys for the next seven seconds, then remove all the keys simultaneously.
- Give it a couple of seconds before pressing the power button for a few seconds to switch off your Mac.
The process of resetting the SMC on MacBooks using a battery that is removable is easy.
- Hold down the power button for 10 seconds until your Mac returns to its off state.
- Remove the power adaptor and the battery from the it.
- remaining electrical energy that remains in the capacitors in the SMC circuit. Alternately, you can sit for a few minutes before the capacitors begin to discharge in a natural way.
- Reinstall the battery on your MacBook. Now you’ve been able to reset your SMC.
If the SMC reset does not resolve the problem, proceed to the next step.
4. Examine the battery for any signs of a flat one.
If you haven’t used your MacBook for a prolonged period or have an old or swollen battery, as shown below, the battery might have been totally discharged, causing your MacBook to not turn on.
The earlier MacBook models come with an option to check the battery and an indicator of battery status on the right-hand side of the case. Click the button. It’s a dead battery when you don’t have any luminescence.
It is essential to ensure that your MacBook gets power from either the MagSafe or the USB-C port. Verify that your power cord is not damaged and is securely connected to your Mac, as well as a functioning electrical outlet. Check it out using a lamp or a charger for your mobile phone in case you are unsure of the outlet.
Make sure you use the correct power adapter that is compatible with your MacBook model to recharge your laptop for around five minutes. If you are able, try using your original power adapter that came with your Mac.
If the battery has gone flat, causing your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro not to turn on, the majority of Macs will turn on automatically when you connect a functioning charger. But certain models of MacBooks need a minimum power source before the Mac is able to be turned on. Therefore, wait 5 minutes. The charger should top-up the battery to its maximum level.
If you notice the light turning green or orange in the MagSafe connector, this signifies that both your charger and the SMC inside your MacBook are in operation. The SMC is successfully communicating with your charger, so I switched off the lights. It is possible to try a different charger if it doesn’t show an indicator light on the connector.
After five minutes After 5 minutes, hold the power key for 5 minutes and see whether your MacBook is able to be turned on. If your Mac does not turn on, or if there’s no indicator light in your MagSafe connector, move on to the next section.
5. Conduct an electrical power cycle
A MacBook has three distinct states: sleep, off, and on. By performing a power cycle, you return the MacBook to its off state.
In the case of a prior to 2013 MacBook Pro, there is a sleep indicator located on the front of the case, as shown below. If the MacBook goes into sleep mode, the indicator light for sleep will blink. Apple eliminated the sleep indicator on most recent models. If you are unable to see anything at all on the screen of these latest models, it’s difficult to determine the state that your MacBook is in at present.
If your MacBook is stuck in the sleep state for any reason, it is possible that it is unable to respond to the normal wake-up signals, like opening the lid and pressing the power button, or pressing the touchpad. To return the MacBook to its off state, you must power cycle it.
Hold your power button down for 10 seconds. Then remove the key. The Mac can now return to an off state as a result of your actions. In the event that you’ve got a spinning drive inside your Mac, you might hear an erupting sound as the power to the drive is cut. If your MacBook includes an SSD drive, you will not hear any sound.
You are now aware that your Mac is in an abnormal state. Hit the power button once more to check whether your Mac will be turned on.
If running the power cycle isn’t enough to fix the issue, move on to the next step.
6. Look for a damaged screen
It is possible that your Mac will not turn on if you don’t see anything visible on your screen. However, this is not always the case! It is possible that your Mac might be on, but the screen isn’t functioning. Therefore, it’s important to check for any signs of power, such as lights and sounds, to avoid misinterpretations.
Look for sounds.
Are you hearing a startup sound? If yes, it means that your MacBook is running. Take a few minutes to see whether there’s any display , perhaps a flash. If there is nothing on the screen, then your Mac is most likely to have an issue with its screen. This isn’t good news because the screen is among the most expensive components, in addition to the logic board.
Get the MacBook Place your vent hole (between the two hinges on the screen) close to your ears. Are you hearing any sound emanating from the fan-driven mechanical hard drive, or the super drive? Do you feel air moving through the vents? If you hear or feel the air moving, it means that your Mac is running, and that it is experiencing an issue with the logic board. The Mac was already beginning to turn off, but then got stuck in place.
Look for any light sources
If you are unable to notice anything on your display, you can shine a light over the Apple logo that is on the side of the screen. If you see an image that appears dim, click your screen’s “brightness to the max” button on your keyboard several times to boost the brightness of your screen. If you’re still seeing a dim image, then you may have an issue with the backlight on your screen. The problem with the backlight on your screen may be due to the screen being defective or a defective logic board.
Click the keyboard’s illuminate “brightness up” button several times. If you see the backlight of your keyboard, it means your Mac is already onou see the backlight of your keyboard, it means your Mac is already on. It could be that you have an issue with your screen. The 13 and 15 MacBook Pros that were made between 2016 and 2017 are susceptible to developing “flexgate” problems. If you own this kind of MacBook Pro, you may require the repair of a fluxgate to repair your damaged screen and not replace it with a brand new one.
Click your Caps Lock key; your Mac is operating if you are able to see the light blinking. There is also a possibility of problems with your screen.
You can connect an external display to your MacBook through a mini display port, a thunderbolt port, or an HDMI port. If you see a display on your external monitor and it’s not working, then you’ve got a defective display.
7. Look for a defective RAM
If you hear repeated beeps from your Mac, Your Mac might have problems with RAM that are causing it to not start.
If you hear a five-second beep, it means your Mac isn’t detecting any RAM. If you’ve recently upgraded or replaced the RAM on your computer, make sure it was installed correctly.
If you receive three consecutive beeps, followed by a five second delay, and then repeat this, it means that the Mac’s RAM isn’t passing the integrity check. If you’ve recently upgraded or replaced your RAM in your computer, test to ensure that it was installed correctly. Also, you can test different models of memory modules.
Memory chips can be soldered to the logic board when you own the MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro 2012 and up. This makes a significant difference in the reliability of the memory circuitry since it eliminates the unreliable RAM slots. There is an issue with the logic board if you hear beeps on the MacBook. It is necessary to use a component-level repair service to repair your logic board. Based on your Mac type, prices range from $300 to $600.
8. Examine the trackpad for damage.
SMC SMC runs on an “always-on” power rail known as PP3V42_G3H. The trackpad is connected to this power rail via SMC. If the trackpad is in an electrical short, particularly following a water leak over the trackpad, the damaged trackpad might draw down the power rail, and the SMC is not functional. This means that the SMC won’t respond to the press of the power switch.
The back panel is accessible on your Mac; disconnect your trackpad’s cable and connect it to the logic board. After that, press the power key on your keyboard. If your Mac is on, there is a problem with the trackpad. The trackpad is a much less costly MacBook component. It is possible to purchase the trackpad on eBay for less than $100.
9. Look for a keyboard that isn’t working.
It is important to note that the MacBook keyboard shares an “always-on” powered rail with the SMC. If a malfunctioning keyboard draws off the power rail, the SMC isn’t working and won’t be able to respond to the power button’s signals.
Additionally, when the power button on your keyboard isn’t able to transmit an appropriate signal to SMC Then your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air will not switch on. These kinds of issues occur frequently when there is a liquid spill on the keyboard. Sometimes, the keyboard stops working right after a water leak or spill, and in other cases, the keyboard will stop working a couple of months after spillage.
Take the connector for the keyboard and batteries from your logic board, then connect the MacBook charger to the port for charging. The Mac will turn on automatically when the problem is with the keyboard. A MacBook equipped with an Intel i3, i5, i7, or i9 processor will automatically start up when you take the battery off and connect a charging device to it.
10. Restore the T2 security chip’s firmware
In the year 2018, Apple integrated the SMC chip into a multi-functional chip dubbed T2. Apple’s T2 security chip is in the MacBooks of 2018. The chip replaces the functions of the SMC. When the chip isn’t operational, it won’t be able to react to the button on the power cord, and your MacBook will not turn on.
If you upgrade your Mac’s macOS, for instance, from Mojave to Catalina If something isn’t right in between, you could damage your Mac.
Apple often includes updates to device firmware (DFU) in its regular security updates. The DFU will update the firmware on your Mac. If it is installed, the macOS update with the DFU updates the macOS software on your SSD drive as well as the firmware inside the chip T2. So, you don’t need to buy a brand new Mac in order to use the brand new macOS efficiently and to fully optimize all the features that are new. However, if the firmware update is unable to complete the entire process for some reason, the T2 chip’s firmware may become corrupted. Also, it could be that you’ve damaged your Mac.
In order to repair the bricked Mac, it is necessary to have a functioning Mac and the firmware from Apple’s site. The bricked Mac is then forced into DFU mode, allowing you to connect the new firmware to the damaged Mac via an USB cable, as shown below:
- Apple Configurator 2 can be downloaded from Apple’s website. It is possible that you will need to upgrade to the most recent version of macOS for the app to function. Launch the app, and be sure that your Mac is connected to the Internet.
- Use the USB-C cable to connect; it is a USB cable. Connect one end of the cable to any port on your Mac.
- Connect the second USB-C connector to the bricked Mac’s MASTER port. This port will be on the left side of your computer and closer to you.
- Use the power key or tap the ID key for one second. While pressing the power button, hold both the Control and Option buttons on your left side, and the Shift button on the right side until you can see the large font “DFU” visible on your functioning Mac. It usually takes approximately 10 minutes to get the “DFU” sign to pop up.
- Release all four keys simultaneously. Now your broken Mac has entered DFU mode.
- Reboot your Mac, click on your DFU devices on the screen, and then click Action in the menu. In the pull-down menu bar, click Advance, and then select Revive Device. Reconfirm the action.
- The working Mac can download the right firmware from the Apple server and then install the firmware on your damaged Mac. It could take between 5 and 10 minutes.
- After you finish the installation, your Mac will begin to power up automatically. If you can get the Apple logo, you’ve successfully saved your damaged Mac. Congratulations!
11. Examine the battery flex cable for damage.
The MacBook Pros with a 15-inch and 16-inch screen that were made from 2016 to 2020 perform in a different way. In contrast to other MacBooks, these models will typically not turn on without a functioning battery, even if connected to a functioning charger.
In the most recent MacBooks with USB-C charging ports The battery power terminals and the data communication lines no longer reside in one connector. Instead, the terminals for power (“+”) and data (“-“) connect with the logic board and are secured with a T5 screw to ensure better contact. These data cables are linked to the logic board with a flexible cable.
This tiny flex cable can be vulnerable to failing. If the battery is damaged or the flex cable for the battery isn’t able to connect properly to the device, your Mac will not be able to switch on. If you connect the USB-C charger to it, the screen will display the symbol of a charging battery for a couple of minutes and then switch it off as follows:
If you notice this symbol, then you likely have a problem with your battery. It is extremely expensive when completed through Apple stores or Apple-approved service providers. They’ll replace the entire top case, which includes the trackpad, keyboard touchscreen bar, and speakers, in addition to the defective battery Apple-approved service providers. They’ll replace the entire top case, which includes the trackpad, keyboard touchscreen bar, and speakers, in addition to the defective battery. Naturally, you will have to cover the cost of all these parts in the event that your Mac is not covered by warranty. An outside repairer can repair the damaged battery at a minimal cost.
12. Choose MacBook repair services
If the above methods are unsuccessful in fixing your MacBook, it is worth hiring an expert in MacBook repair.
There are two kinds of services. The first can be described as Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers (ASP). The other type is a repairer from a third party. We will examine the advantages and disadvantages of these types of services.
Apple Stores and ASPs
We recommend that you schedule an appointment with either the Genius Bar or ASP to receive a no-cost estimate and diagnosis, regardless of whether you’re planning to utilise their services or not. These are the types of services that you can avail of from them in accordance with whether your Mac is covered by warranty:
When your Mac is covered by warranty, there’s no need to be concerned about any aspect other than your data. Apple will replace the damaged component at no cost. Apple does not assume responsibility for your information or offer a data transfer or recovery service. This means you must ensure that this service won’t affect your data. If the service is likely to cause data loss and you’re not backing up your data to iCloud or elsewhere, you might need to backup your files to an external storage device, or you can use a professional data recovery program.
If your Mac isn’t turning on because of the spill of liquid or because the inbuilt Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI) color has changed from red to white, as illustrated in the image below, you’ll be in violation of the warranty standard. All MacBook models feature liquid indicators at the entry points where liquids can enter quickly. The indicators for liquid damage are typically located beneath the trackpad and keyboard, as well as on the sides of the logic boards.
The liquid level indicator on the most recent MacBooks is black. The color turns white after the LCI is in contact with the liquid.
You will have to pay to replace the component that is defective. If your Mac is no longer covered under warranty, They offer top-quality services, and you do not have to be concerned about issues with quality. However, the prices are high. They don’t repair specific MacBook components. In fact, they repair several components at a significant price. For instance, if you have a battery that is swollen, it is necessary to change the case on top as well as the keyboard, trackpad, and even the touch bar, even if they’re functioning perfectly.
If you bought the Mac at a major department store, seeking support directly from Apple will avoid any unnecessary delays. There is no middleman to handle the repair.
If you’re experiencing problems with your circuit board or logic board, they might inform you that the Mac isn’t repairable or provide a very expensive price for replacement of the logic board. This is a tactic used to encourage new Mac sales. They won’t tell you that certain Mac repair experts can fix the logic board in a professional manner for a fraction of the estimated cost.
