Turn on a Mac Computer

Turning on your Mac is usually a straightforward process, but sometimes things can get a little complicated. If your Mac isn't turning on properly, there are several fixes you can try yourself before calling technical support.

Steps

MacBook and MacBook Pro

  1. Locate the Power button. This can be found on the top-right corner of the keyboard. The Power button may be a key on the keyboard or a separate button.
  2. Press the Power button. You may have to hold it for a few moments. The Mac should either power on or wake from Sleep mode. When the Mac starts to power up, you will hear the Apple chime. Most Power buttons will illuminate when the computer is turned on.

Troubleshooting

  1. Try plugging in the laptop. If your battery is dead, you won't be able to turn on the laptop. Try plugging it in to see if you can turn it on.
  2. Perform an SMC reset for a MacBook without a removable battery. If your System Management Controller (SMC) is acting up, it may be preventing your computer from turning on. If your MacBook has a removable battery, see the next step.
    • Plug the MacBook in to a power source.
    • Press and hold the Left Shift + Control + Option.
    • Press the Power button, and then release all the keys and the Power button at the same time. You may need to use both hands for this.
    • Press the Power button again to turn the computer on.
  3. Perform an SMC reset for a MacBook with a removable battery. If your System Management Controller (SMC) is acting up, it may be preventing your computer from turning on.
    • Unplug the laptop from its power source.
    • Remove the battery from the back of the laptop.
    • Press and hold the Power button for at least five seconds.
    • Reinsert the battery and power the MacBook on.
  4. Reset the system settings (PRAM). The Parameter Random Access Memory (PRAM) is a small amount of memory in your Mac that stores various system settings. If this gets corrupted, your computer may not turn on.[1]
    • Press the Power button.
    • Immediately press and hold Cmd + Opt + P +R immediately after the computer turns on.
    • Continue holding the Cmd + Opt + P + R. Keep holding until your hear the startup sound twice.
  5. Remove any recently installed RAM. If you've recently upgraded your RAM, your new modules could be causing the problem. Try removing your new modules and reinstalling your old modules to see if your computer can boot.
  6. Contact Apple Support. If after trying the above fixes you are unable to get your Mac to power on, contact Apple Support to have an Apple technician take a look at the computer. There may be failed components inside that are preventing it from turning on.

iMac

  1. Locate the Power button. The Power button is located on the back of the monitor on the bottom-left side (when facing the front).
  2. Push the Power button. The Mac should either power on or wake from Sleep mode. When the Mac starts to power up, you will hear the Apple chime. Most Power buttons will illuminate when the computer is turned on.

Troubleshooting

  1. Double check your power cable. Make sure that it is properly connected to both the outlet and computer. Try a different outlet as well.[2]
  2. Try another power cable. Your power cable may be malfunctioning, so replacing it may allow you to turn your computer on again.
  3. Disconnect all the devices attached to your Mac and try turning it on. Malfunctioning peripherals may be causing your system to not boot properly.
  4. Perform an SMC reset. If your System Management Controller (SMC) is acting up, it may be preventing your computer from turning on.[3]
    • Unplug the power cable from the back of the iMac.
    • Wait for at least 15 seconds.
    • Reattach the cable.
    • Wait five more seconds and then try turning the computer on.
  5. Reset the system settings (PRAM). The Parameter Random Access Memory (PRAM) is a small amount of memory in your Mac that stores various system settings. If this gets corrupted, your computer may not turn on.
    • Press the Power button.
    • Immediately press and hold Cmd + Opt + P + R immediately after the computer turns on.
    • Continue holding the Cmd + Opt + P + R. Keep holding until your hear the startup sound twice.
  6. Remove any recently installed RAM. If you've recently upgraded your RAM, your new modules could be causing the problem. Try removing your new modules and reinstalling your old modules to see if your computer can boot.
  7. Contact Apple Support. If after trying the above fixes you are unable to get your Mac to power on, contact Apple Support to have an Apple technician take a look at the computer. There may be failed components inside that are preventing it from turning on.

Mac Pro Desktop

  1. Locate the Power button. The Power button is located on the front of the tower, above the USB ports.
  2. Push the Power button. The Mac should either power on or wake from Sleep mode. When the Mac starts to power up, you will hear the Apple chime. Most Power buttons will illuminate when the computer is turned on.

Troubleshooting

  1. Double check your power cable. Make sure that it is properly connected to both the outlet and computer. Try a different outlet as well.
  2. Try another power cable. Your power cable may be malfunctioning, so replacing it may allow you to turn your computer on again.
  3. Disconnect all the devices attached to your Mac and try turning it on. Malfunctioning peripherals may be causing your system to not boot properly.
  4. Perform an SMC reset. If your System Management Controller (SMC) is acting up, it may be preventing your computer from turning on.
    • Unplug the power cable from the back of the iMac.
    • Wait for at least 15 seconds.
    • Reattach the cable.
    • Wait five more seconds and then try turning the computer on.
  5. Reset the system settings (PRAM). The Parameter Random Access Memory (PRAM) is a small amount of memory in your Mac that stores various system settings. If this gets corrupted, your computer may not turn on.
    • Press the Power button.
    • Immediately press and hold Cmd + Opt + P + R immediately after the computer turns on.
    • Continue holding the Cmd + Opt + P + R. Keep holding until your hear the startup sound twice.
  6. Remove any recently installed RAM. If you've recently upgraded your RAM, your new modules could be causing the problem. Try removing your new modules and reinstalling your old modules to see if your computer can boot.
  7. Contact Apple Support. If after trying the above fixes you are unable to get your Mac to power on, contact Apple Support to have an Apple technician take a look at the computer. There may be failed components inside that are preventing it from turning on.

Mac Mini

  1. Locate the Power button. The Power button is located on the back of the unit, on the far right side (when facing the front).
  2. Push the Power button. The Mac should either power on or wake from Sleep mode. When the Mac starts to power up, you will hear the Apple chime. Most Power buttons will illuminate when the computer is turned on.

Troubleshooting

  1. Double check your power cable. Make sure that it is properly connected to both the outlet and computer. Try a different outlet as well.
  2. Try another power cable. Your power cable may be malfunctioning, so replacing it may allow you to turn your computer on again.
  3. Disconnect all the devices attached to your Mac and try turning it on. Malfunctioning peripherals may be causing your system to not boot properly.
  4. Perform an SMC reset. If your System Management Controller (SMC) is acting up, it may be preventing your computer from turning on.
    • Unplug the power cable from the back of the iMac.
    • Wait for at least 15 seconds.
    • Reattach the cable.
    • Wait five more seconds and then try turning the computer on.
  5. Reset the system settings (PRAM). The Parameter Random Access Memory (PRAM) is a small amount of memory in your Mac that stores various system settings. If this gets corrupted, your computer may not turn on.
    • Press the Power button.
    • Immediately press and hold Cmd + Opt + P + R immediately after the computer turns on.
    • Continue holding the Cmd + Opt + P + R. Keep holding until your hear the startup sound twice.
  6. Remove any recently installed RAM. If you've recently upgraded your RAM, your new modules could be causing the problem. Try removing your new modules and reinstalling your old modules to see if your computer can boot.
    • Install-a-RAM-in-Mac-Mini.
  7. Contact Apple Support. If after trying the above fixes you are unable to get your Mac to power on, contact Apple Support to have an Apple technician take a look at the computer. There may be failed components inside that are preventing it from turning on.

eMac

  1. Locate the Power button. The button is located on the right side of the monitor, behind the row of inputs.
  2. Push the Power button. The Mac should either power on or wake from Sleep mode. When the Mac starts to power up, you will hear the Apple chime. Most Power buttons will illuminate when the computer is turned on.

Troubleshooting

  1. Double check your power cable. Make sure that it is properly connected to both the outlet and computer. Try a different outlet as well.
  2. Try another power cable. Your power cable may be malfunctioning, so replacing it may allow you to turn your computer on again.
  3. Disconnect all the devices attached to your Mac and try turning it on. Malfunctioning peripherals may be causing your system to not boot properly.
  4. Reset the system settings (PRAM). The Parameter Random Access Memory (PRAM) is a small amount of memory in your Mac that stores various system settings. If this gets corrupted, your computer may not turn on.
    • Press the Power button.
    • Immediately press and hold Cmd + Opt + P + R immediately after the computer turns on.
    • Continue holding the Cmd + Opt + P + R. Keep holding until your hear the startup sound twice.
  5. Consider replacing if you have a nonworking eMac. There are several eMacs that have a known hardware failure that is no longer being repaired for free. The cost of the repair is often more than the value of the computer.
  6. Contact Apple Support. If after trying the above fixes you are unable to get your Mac to power on, contact Apple Support to have an Apple technician take a look at the computer. There may be failed components inside that are preventing it from turning on.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14222?viewlocale=en_US
  2. ↑ http://support.apple.com/en-us/TS1367
  3. ↑ http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295
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