Won't turn onHighMac won't turn on
What this error means
This means your Mac is not starting up normally when you press the power button. You may see no signs of life, a black screen, a folder icon, or a startup logo that never finishes loading.
It often happens after a drained battery, a power issue, a failed update, or a startup problem with macOS.
Common causes
- 1The Mac battery is fully drained or not charging
- 2The power adapter, cable, or outlet is not working
- 3A temporary startup glitch is preventing macOS from loading
- 4The Mac has a software or disk problem after an update or crash
- 5Internal hardware damage is stopping the Mac from starting
How to fix it
- Check the power source. Plug the Mac into a known-working wall outlet, not a power strip if possible. If you use a laptop, make sure the charger, cable, and port are firmly connected.
- Let it charge for a while. If the battery is empty, leave the Mac connected to power for at least 15 to 30 minutes, then try turning it on again.
- Force a normal restart. Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds to fully shut it down, wait a few seconds, then press the power button once more to start it.
- Disconnect external devices. Unplug printers, drives, hubs, and other accessories, then try starting the Mac again. A faulty device can sometimes block startup.
- Try Safe Mode. If the Mac starts but does not finish loading, use Safe Mode to check whether a startup item or software issue is causing the problem.
- Check for signs of disk trouble. If you can reach macOS recovery, open Disk Utility and run First Aid on the startup disk. This can help with some file-system problems after a crash or update.
- Get help if it still will not start. If the screen stays black, you hear unusual sounds, or the Mac repeatedly shuts off, contact Apple support or a qualified repair service.
Recommended fixes
Restart your device
A restart clears temporary state that often causes transient errors.
- Save your work and close open apps.
- Restart the device from the power menu.
- Reproduce the issue to check whether it persists.
Install macOS updates
- Open System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Install any available updates.
- Restart if prompted.
Boot into Safe Mode (Mac)
Apple silicon: shut down, hold the power button until startup options appear, select your startup disk, then hold Shift and choose Continue in Safe Mode.
Intel: restart and hold Shift until the login window appears.
Run First Aid in Disk Utility (Mac)
- Open Disk Utility.
- Select your startup disk and click First Aid.
- Let it verify and repair the disk.
Contact Quickfix support
If the issue persists after trying these steps, reach out so we can help.
Visit the contact page and include your scan report code.
When to seek help
Seek professional help right away if your Mac shows no power at all after charging, smells hot or burnt, makes repeated clicking or beeping noises, displays a damaged battery warning, or is stuck on a black screen after several startup attempts. These can point to battery, power, or internal hardware problems that need repair.
Need more help?
Run a free diagnostic scan to identify and fix issues automatically.
Download Quickfix AI