Dealing with a MacBook Pro that won’t power on can be frustrating. However, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try to diagnose and fix the issue. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through all the potential reasons why your MacBook Pro won’t turn on and provide solutions to get it working again.
Step 1: Check Your Power Adapter
The first thing to check is your MacBook Pro’s power adapter. Make sure it is plugged securely into both the wall outlet and the MacBook itself. Verify the wall outlet is working by plugging in another device. Try connecting the power adapter to another outlet. If it is plugged into a power strip, bypass the power strip and plug directly into a wall outlet.
Examine the power adapter for any damage to the cable or plug. Make sure there are no exposed wires and that the cable is not pinched or frayed. If you have a spare MacBook Pro power adapter, try connecting that one instead to rule out an issue with the adapter.
If the power adapter appears to be working properly and providing power, you may need to reset the Mac’s SMC, which controls power management. To reset SMC on MacBook Pros with T2 chips (2018 and later):
- Shut down your MacBook.
- Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
- Release the power button.
- Wait a few moments, then press the power button to turn on your Mac again.
For older MacBook Pros without T2 chips, the SMC reset process is:
- Shut down your MacBook.
- Unplug the power cable.
- Press and hold the left Shift, Control and Option keys and the power button simultaneously for 10 seconds, then release.
- Plug in the power cable and press the power button to turn on your MacBook.
Resetting SMC will drain any residual power and start your MacBook on a clean slate. Hopefully this will allow power to flow properly again.
Step 2: Test the Battery and Charging Cable
If your MacBook still won’t turn on, the next step is checking the battery. First, detach the battery cable from the logic board for a minute or two. This will drain any charge left in the battery. Reconnect the cable and press the power button.
If it powers on, the battery likely needed to be reset. You may also want to test the health of your battery by holding the Option key while clicking the battery icon in the menu bar. If it says “Service Battery”, the battery may need to be replaced.
Try charging your MacBook Pro for at least 30 minutes before attempting to turn it on again. Make sure to use the Apple power adapter that came with your laptop.
Inspect the charging cable and port for debris, bent pins, or damage. Clean out any dust with compressed air. If the charging port appears damaged, you may need professional repair.
As a last resort for battery issues, try starting up your MacBook Pro without the battery connected. Run it solely on power adapter power. If it works normally, you know the battery is likely the culprit.
Step 3: Attempt Safe Mode
If you’ve verified the battery, adapter, and cables are okay, the next troubleshooting step is attempting to boot into Safe Mode. Safe Mode loads only essential macOS components to run diagnostics and isolate software issues.
Follow these steps to boot into Safe Mode:
- Fully shut down your MacBook Pro.
- Press the power button to turn it on.
- Immediately press and hold the Shift key after pressing power. Keep holding Shift until you see the login screen.
- If your MacBook boots successfully in Safe Mode, restart again normally without holding Shift.
Safe Mode disables certain software, so if the MacBook works normally in Safe Mode, you know the issue is likely related to third-party apps, login items, fonts, kernel extensions or other software components. From there, you can troubleshoot software.
Step 4: Reset NVRAM
NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) stores certain settings like display resolution, kernel panic data, and recent kernel extensions. Resetting NVRAM clears these settings and may resolve booting problems.
To reset NVRAM on T2-equipped MacBook Pros (2018 and later):
- Shut down your MacBook.
- Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn it on.
- Immediately press and hold Command-Option-P-R until your Mac restarts.
For older MacBook Pros, the NVRAM reset process is:
- Shut down your MacBook.
- Press the power button and immediately press Command-Option-P-R. Keep holding until you hear the startup chime again.
- Release keys and let Mac restart normally.
Resetting NVRAM clears out any problematic settings that may be preventing a normal boot.
Step 5: Attempt Startup in Recovery Mode
If you still can’t get your MacBook Pro to turn on, try starting it up in Recovery Mode. Recovery Mode provides recovery tools and the ability to reinstall macOS as a last resort.
To enter Recovery Mode:
- Fully shut down your MacBook.
- Press and hold the power button.
- Immediately press and hold Command-R after pressing power. Keep holding until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
From the Recovery screen, you can access Disk Utility to check for disk errors, Terminal to run diagnostics, restore from a Time Machine backup, erase/reformat the drive, or reinstall macOS. This may help resolve software-related boot problems.
If your MacBook Pro successfully enters Recovery Mode but still won’t work normally after exiting, the issue is likely hardware-related.
Step 6: Book a Genius Bar Appointment
If you still can’t get your MacBook Pro to power on after trying the above steps, it’s time to seek professional help. Make a Genius Bar appointment at your local Apple Store for further diagnostic testing.
Be prepared to explain all the troubleshooting you’ve done. Apple Geniuses have advanced tools to diagnose MacBook hardware issues. The problem may be related to the logic board, display, cables, fans, speakers, or other components.
After diagnosing, they can advise whether your MacBook Pro qualifies for free repair under warranty or will need a paid repair/replacement. AppleCare+ extended warranty may help cover repair costs.
Step 7: Consider Third-Party Repair
Depending on the issue, third-party repair shops may be able to fix your MacBook Pro for a lower cost than Apple. However, the quality of parts and craftsmanship may vary greatly between repair shops.
Research shops with strong reviews and warranties on Yelp, Google, or other review sites. Confirm what parts/tools they use and ensure they are reputable. Get an estimate in writing before approving any repairs.
Common MacBook Pro hardware issues that third-party technicians can often resolve successfully include:
- Display replacements due to cracks or dead/stuck pixels
- Battery replacements
- Hard drive/SSD replacements
- RAM upgrades
- Thermal paste/heat sink re-application
- Logic board repairs
- Keyboard/trackpad replacements
For more advanced liquid damage, fire/flood damage, or component-level logic board repairs, it’s usually safest to stick with Apple or reputable specialty repair shops with microsoldering expertise.
Step 8: Consider a DIY Fix
Some common MacBook Pro issues like dead batteries, cracked screens, or stuck keys can be DIY’ed if you’re technically inclined. Review repair tutorials carefully and order the necessary replacement parts online.
Here are some MacBook Pro repairs that are feasible for beginners with the right parts/tools:
- Battery replacement – Unscrew case, disconnect old battery, reconnect new battery.
- RAM upgrade – Open access panel, insert new RAM stick into slot.
- Hard drive/SSD upgrade – Remove cover, swap drive cables, replace drive.
- Display assembly – Remove bezel screws/clips, swap in replacement LCD.
- Bottom case – Remove case screws, unplug connectors, install new case.
- Trackpad – Disconnect battery, use plastic tool to lift out trackpad.
- Top case with keyboard – Pop off key caps, remove screws, disconnect cables.
Carefully research the detailed process before attempting any DIY MacBook Pro repairs. Be sure to use the correct tools, wear ESD protection, work slowly, and follow a good tutorial.
Step 9: Ask Apple for a Repair Exception
In rare cases where your MacBook Pro requires an expensive repair just outside Apple’s standard warranty coverage, it may be worthwhile asking Apple nicely for a one-time exception or “goodwill” repair. This generally only works for newer Macs with manufacturing defects.
Explain your situation calmly and politely. Escalate to a manager if needed. Remain patient and understanding of their policies. Note that this strategy doesn’t always work, but is occasionally effective if a defect caused a premature failure.
Step 10: Consider Selling “As-Is” For Parts
If your MacBook Pro ultimately seems unsalvageable or the repair cost exceeds the value of the machine, you may be able to sell it “as-is” on eBay or other sites. There is generally demand for intact MacBook parts, including:
- Logic boards
- RAM
- SSDs
- Heat sinks
- Keyboards
- Trackpads
- Bottom cases
- Speakers
- Screws/adhesives
Clearly advertise your model, year, and non-working condition. Start bids at a low opening price plus shipping cost. This allows others to potentially repair your MacBook for parts or fix individual components for reuse.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting a MacBook Pro that won’t power on can be tedious, but methodically trying different solutions often reveals the underlying problem. Start with simple fixes like checking connections, resetting SMC and NVRAM, verifying the battery health, and booting in Safe Mode.
If software resets and troubleshooting don’t work, take it to Apple or a reputable repair shop for diagnostics. Board-level issues may require microsoldering and professional equipment to identify and rework the failed components. In some cases, a DIY fix, goodwill replacement, or selling for parts may be your best option to salvage value from the device.
Stay persistent and don’t give up too soon. With so many components involved, a systematic approach to isolating the failure is key. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Apple support communities or repair specialists for help resolving your stubborn MacBook Pro power issues.