There are a few different ways to force start a MacBook that is not turning on. The most common reasons a MacBook won’t start up normally include the battery being completely dead, software issues like corruption, and hardware problems like a failed hard drive. Trying a force start can bypass some of these problems and allow you to access your data or troubleshoot the issue.
Quick Ways to Force Start a MacBook
Here are some quick answers to common questions about forcing a MacBook to start up:
Hold Down the Power Button
The simplest way to force start a MacBook is to hold down the power button for 10 seconds. This will force the computer to turn off if it’s frozen or non-responsive. After 10 seconds, release the power button and then press it again to restart the MacBook.
Reset SMC
Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) by pressing Shift-Control-Option and the power button together for 10 seconds. This can resolve issues with starting up the MacBook.
Restart in Safe Mode
Restart while holding the Shift key to boot into Safe Mode. This will load only essential software and disable certain features to troubleshoot startup issues.
Connect to Power
If the battery is dead, connect the MacBook to the power adapter to force a startup. This provides power even with a battery needing replacement.
Boot from External Drive
Hold down the Option key on startup to select an external drive to boot from. This can bypass issues with the main internal drive.
What to Do if Force Starting Doesn’t Work
If you still can’t get the MacBook to turn on after trying the force start methods, here are a few tips:
- Let the MacBook charge for at least 20 minutes if the battery is empty before trying to start up again.
- Reset both the SMC and NVRAM (PRAM) to reset low-level settings.
- Boot into Apple Hardware Test mode by holding D while starting up to check for hardware issues.
- Connect to an external display to see if it’s a display issue.
- Make a Genius Bar appointment for hardware diagnosis if the issue persists.
Detailed Guide on How to Force Start a MacBook
Forcing a start up on a MacBook that won’t power on normally can help you access your data in some situations. Here is a more detailed guide on the different methods to force start a MacBook and how they work.
Attempt a Regular Startup First
Before force starting, first try a regular startup to rule out simple issues. Connect to power, don’t have any external devices plugged in, and press the power button once. If the MacBook powers on normally, there’s no need to force a start.
Reset SMC to Troubleshoot Power Issues
The System Management Controller (SMC) controls power flow for MacBook hardware. Resetting it can resolve problems like the battery not charging, fans always on, sleep issues, and some startup failures. Here is how to reset SMC on different MacBook models:
MacBook Air, Retina MacBook Pro (Late 2013 and newer), MacBook Pro (Early 2015 and newer)
- Shut down the MacBook.
- Press at the same time Shift-Control-Option and the power button.
- Hold down all four keys for 10 seconds.
- Release all keys.
- Press the power button again to start up the MacBook.
MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 to Mid 2014)
- Shut down and unplug power from the MacBook.
- Press and hold the left Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button for 10 seconds.
- Release all keys.
- Plug in the power cord while keeping the battery in.
- Press the power button again to start up the MacBook.
Older MacBook Air and Pro
- Shut down and remove the battery.
- Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
- Reinstall the battery.
- Plug in the power adapter while leaving the battery in.
- Press the power button again to turn on the MacBook.
Resetting SMC will reset settings like startup disk selection, kernel panic settings, and system sleep configurations. It’s a good first troubleshooting step for startup issues.
Reset NVRAM to Clear Startup Settings
Resetting the non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM) can also help resolve problems starting up a MacBook. NVRAM stores information like boot volume selection, screen resolution, and recent kernel panic logs. Here is how to reset NVRAM:
- Shut down the MacBook.
- Press the power button and immediately hold down Command-Option-P-R.
- Keep holding the four keys for at least 20 seconds.
- Release the keys.
- Allow the MacBook to restart on its own.
This will clear out and reset parameters stored in NVRAM that could be preventing a normal startup.
Start up in Safe Mode
Booting into Safe Mode loads only essential software to troubleshoot startup issues. Starting in Safe Mode can determine if conflicting apps or login items are causing problems. To use Safe Mode:
- Fully shut down the MacBook.
- Press the power button to start it back up.
- Immediately hold down the Shift key until you see the login window.
- Release Shift and log in normally.
With Safe Mode, macOS will check and repair the startup disk if needed. Continue holding Shift after restarting to stay in Safe Mode. If the MacBook boots normally in Safe Mode, it indicates an application conflict or software issue.
Force a Startup from an External Drive
If the internal drive won’t allow a normal startup, you can force starting from an external bootable drive connected by Thunderbolt or USB. This allows you to access the main internal drive to recover data or run diagnostics.
To select an external drive as the startup disk:
- Fully shut down the MacBook.
- Attach the external drive using Thunderbolt or USB.
- Power on the MacBook and immediately hold the Option key.
- Select the external drive with the arrow keys and press Return.
This will force the MacBook to load from the external drive, bypassing the internal drive. Once started up, you can access the files and data on the main drive.
Force a Startup with a Power Adapter
If the MacBook has no battery power at all, connecting a MagSafe or USB-C power adapter can force it to start up. With no battery, the MacBook needs external power to turn on.
To force start with just a power adapter:
- Disconnect any external devices except the power cable.
- Make sure the adapter is connected firmly to the MacBook.
- Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
- Keep holding the button down for 10 seconds.
- Listen for a startup chime indicating power flow.
- Release the power button after the startup sound.
Holding the power button with external power will force the MacBook to load from the normal startup disk. Without a charged battery it relies entirely on constant power adapter connection.
Enter Apple Hardware Test Mode
Forcing a startup into Apple Hardware Test mode can check for internal component failures that are preventing a normal boot. Apple Hardware Test is built into the MacBook firmware.
To use Apple Hardware Test:
- Shut down the MacBook.
- Press the power button and immediately hold D.
- Keep holding D until the test loading screen appears.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to perform diagnostics.
- Reboot normally after the tests finish.
If Apple Hardware Test detects a component failure, it will provide an error code. Failing tests indicate hardware replacement or repair is needed.
Recovery Mode as a Last Resort
Using macOS Recovery Mode can reformat the drive and reinstall the operating system as a last resort if force starting does not work.
To enter Recovery Mode and reboot from the internal recovery partition:
- Fully shut down the MacBook.
- Press the power button and immediately hold Command-R.
- Keep holding Command-R until the Apple logo appears.
- Select Reinstall macOS from the utilities window.
- Follow the prompts to erase the drive and reinstall macOS cleanly.
This will fully erase the internal drive and install a fresh copy of the macOS operating system. All user data will be deleted, so recover what you can first before using Recovery Mode.
When to Take a MacBook to a Repair Shop
If you still cannot force a startup after trying all of the options, it’s time to take the MacBook to an Apple Store or authorized service provider. Potential hardware issues that may require repair include:
- Defective RAM modules
- Failed hard drive
- Broken power ports
- Cracked logic board
- Faulty display cables
- Bad SMC chip
Troubleshooting startup issues requires testing each hardware component. Professionals have the tools and parts to swap each piece individually. Do not attempt to open and repair a MacBook yourself, as this can cause further damage.
Back Up Important Data First
Before force starting a MacBook or taking it for professional repair, be sure to back up any important data you want to save. Start up the MacBook in Target Disk mode if possible to copy files to another computer.
To use Target Disk Mode:
- Fully shut down the MacBook.
- Press the power button while holding the T key.
- Connect a Thunderbolt or USB-C cable from the MacBook to another Mac.
- The MacBook drive will mount as an external disk on the host Mac.
- Use the host Mac to copy data to an external hard drive.
- Exit Target Disk Mode and disconnect the cable to reboot the MacBook normally.
Backing up beforehand ensures you don’t lose valuable photos, documents, or other files when force starting, repairing, or replacing the drive.
Reset Only as Needed
Avoid resetting the MacBook hardware unnecessarily. Perform SMC, NVRAM, and SMC resets one at a time in the above order. Try Safe Mode before resetting and reinstalling macOS.
Back up data beforehand, as resetting and reinstallation will wipe the internal drive. Resetting too often can erase important settings and affect performance. Try less disruptive troubleshooting first.
Conclusion
Force starting a MacBook should only be done when the computer will absolutely not power on using the normal startup procedure. Methods like SMC and NVRAM resets, Safe Mode, and external drive booting can resolve many issues without fully resetting the MacBook.
Hardware repairs should only be done by experienced technicians to avoid causing further damage. Always back up important data before force starting, diagnosing hardware, or erasing and reinstalling macOS.
Following this guide can help diagnose and resolve problems powering on a MacBook. Start with the simplest resets first before moving to more involved techniques like Recovery Mode reinstallation. With patience and care, many startup issues can be fixed without losing valuable information.