MacBook Not Turning On? Complete Fix Guide (2026)

Pro Tip

Key Takeaways:

• • 30% of dead MacBooks can be revived with simple resets (SMC, PRAM/NVRAM)
• • Check the basics first: power adapter, battery health, display vs system issue
• • A completely dead MacBook usually means battery, power circuit, or logic board
• • Don't panic about data - it's often recoverable even from dead Macs
• • Board-level repair saves 50-80% vs Apple's logic board replacement

You press the power button. Nothing. No chime, no light, no fan noise. Your MacBook is completely dead, and your stomach drops thinking about the work, photos, and memories trapped inside.

Take a breath. After 25 years of Mac repair at celltech, we've seen thousands of "dead" MacBooks. The good news: about 30% can be revived without any repair. Another 40% need relatively simple fixes. Only 30% have serious hardware failures—and even those are often repairable.

Did You Know?

Our "Dead MacBook" Revival Statistics (2025)

• • 342 "won't turn on" MacBooks diagnosed
• • 89% successfully revived - back to full working order
• • 31% were simple fixes - SMC reset, battery drain, or charging issue
• • 38% needed component repair - battery, charging circuit, or power IC
• • 20% required board-level repair - still saved vs Apple replacement
• • Data recovery success on non-repairable units: 96%

Data from celltech repair logs, January-December 2025

This guide walks you through exactly what to try, in what order, and when it's time to seek professional help.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before assuming the worst, try these simple steps. They fix more "dead" MacBooks than you'd expect.

1. Check Your Power Adapter

This sounds obvious, but we see it weekly: the MacBook isn't dead—the charger is. Check for:

• Frayed cables: Especially near the connector and where cable meets brick
• Correct wattage: A 30W charger won't power a 16" MacBook Pro
• Try another outlet: Rule out the power source
• MagSafe light: Is it amber (charging) or green (charged)? No light = no power
• USB-C charging: Try a different USB-C cable and port

Pro Tip

Pro tip: If you have a USB-C MacBook, try charging from a different USB-C port. If one port works but another doesn't, you've found your problem—it's a port issue, not a dead Mac.

2. Perform an SMC Reset

The System Management Controller handles power management. Resetting it fixes many power-related issues.

For Intel MacBooks with T2 chip (2018-2020):

1. Shut down (hold power button 10 seconds if needed)
2. Press and hold: Right Shift + Left Option + Left Control + Power button
3. Hold all four keys for 10 seconds
4. Release, wait a few seconds, then press power normally

For older Intel MacBooks (pre-2018):

1. Shut down
2. Press and hold: Left Shift + Control + Option + Power button
3. Hold for 10 seconds
4. Release, then press power normally

For Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4):

There's no SMC on Apple Silicon. Instead, shut down completely (hold power 10 seconds), wait 30 seconds, then try again. If it was sleeping deeply, this wakes it.

3. Try a PRAM/NVRAM Reset

PRAM stores settings that persist between restarts. Corruption can prevent booting.

Intel Macs:

1. Turn off the Mac
2. Turn on and immediately hold: Option + Command + P + R
3. Hold for about 20 seconds (you may hear a startup chime twice)
4. Release and let it boot normally

Apple Silicon: NVRAM resets automatically when needed. No manual reset possible or necessary.

4. Check if It's Actually the Display

Your Mac might be running but with a dead display. Look for:

• Fan noise: Put your ear to the keyboard. Hear anything?
• Keyboard backlight: Press the brightness keys. Any glow?
• External display: Connect to a monitor or TV via HDMI/USB-C
• Caps lock: Press Caps Lock. Does the light toggle?

If any of these work, your Mac isn't dead—it's a display issue. That's often cheaper to fix than you'd think.

5. Disconnect Everything

External devices can sometimes prevent startup:

• Unplug all USB devices, displays, and peripherals
• Remove any SD cards
• Try booting with just the power adapter connected

Diagnosing the Problem

If quick fixes didn't work, we need to narrow down the cause. Here's how to systematically diagnose.

Does It Show Any Signs of Life?

Battery vs Power Circuit vs Logic Board

The three main causes of a completely dead MacBook:

1. Dead Battery (~25% of cases)

• Mac works when plugged in but not on battery (see our battery replacement guide)
• Battery health was declining before it died
• Swollen battery (trackpad not clicking properly is a sign)

2. Power Circuit Failure (~35% of cases)

• No response even when plugged in
• Often caused by using wrong charger, power surge, or liquid damage
• Usually fixable with board-level repair

3. Logic Board Failure (~30% of cases)

• CPU, GPU, or critical controller failure
• Sometimes preceded by kernel panics or freezes
• Board-level repair or replacement required

Common Power Issues by MacBook Era

MacBook Air M1/M2/M3 (2020-present)

These are remarkably reliable. When they won't turn on, it's usually:

• Deep sleep state (hold power 10+ seconds)
• Charging issue (try different USB-C port/cable)
• Software corruption (rarely)

MacBook Pro M1/M2/M3/M4 (2020-present)

Similar reliability to M-series Air. Additional considerations:

• MagSafe vs USB-C charging (try both if applicable)
• Higher power requirements mean correct wattage matters more

MacBook Pro 2016-2019 (USB-C/Thunderbolt 3)

The "butterfly keyboard era" had other issues too:

• Flexgate (display cable failure) - see screen flickering guide
• T2 chip issues affecting boot
• USB-C port failures (common on 2016-2017 models)

MacBook Pro 2012-2015 (Retina)

Ageing batteries and logic boards are common:

• Battery replacement often needed
• GPU failures on 2012-2013 15" models
• SMC issues more responsive to reset

When It's a Serious Hardware Problem

If none of the quick fixes worked, you likely need professional diagnosis. Here's what to expect:

Signs It's a Hardware Failure

• No response whatsoever to any troubleshooting
• Recent liquid exposure (even if it seemed fine afterwards)
• Physical damage (drop, impact)
• Strange smell (burnt electronics)
• Visible damage to ports or charger

What About My Data?

Good news: Your data is usually safe even if the Mac won't turn on. The SSD/storage is separate from most failure points. Even with logic board failures, data recovery is typically possible.

Apple Silicon caveat: On M1/M2/M3/M4 Macs, the storage encryption is tied to the Secure Enclave. If that specific chip fails, data recovery becomes complex (but not always impossible). This is why regular backups matter.

Warning

Don't keep trying to turn it on. If your Mac shows signs of liquid damage or electrical problems, repeated power-on attempts can cause more damage. Better to get it diagnosed first.

Repair Costs UK

Prices depend on your specific MacBook model and what's actually wrong. We provide a fixed quote before any work begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do if a MacBook won't turn on?

First, check your power adapter is working and try a different outlet. Then perform an SMC reset (Intel) or hold the power button for 10 seconds (Apple Silicon), wait 30 seconds, and try again. If there's still no response, connect to an external display to rule out a screen issue. See Apple's official guide for additional steps.

How do I force restart my Mac?

Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds until your Mac turns off completely, then wait a few seconds and press the power button again. On MacBooks with Touch ID, the power button is the Touch ID sensor in the top-right corner. This force shutdown works on all Mac models—Intel and Apple Silicon.

Why won't my MacBook Pro wake up from sleep?

Deep sleep issues usually stem from corrupted SMC or NVRAM settings. On Intel Macs, reset the SMC by holding Shift+Control+Option and the power button for 10 seconds. For Apple Silicon, simply shut down, wait 30 seconds, and restart. If your MacBook shows a black screen but you hear fans, it's likely a display issue, not a sleep problem.

Can I fix a dead MacBook myself?

The troubleshooting steps above? Yes, try those. But if it needs parts or board-level repair, we strongly recommend professional service. Modern MacBooks have tiny components that require specialised equipment to diagnose and repair. DIY attempts often cause additional damage—see iFixit's complexity ratings.

How long does MacBook diagnosis take?

We can usually diagnose within 1-2 hours. If it's a straightforward issue like a battery replacement, you might have your Mac back the same day. Complex board repairs take 2-5 days.

Is my data safe if my MacBook won't turn on?

In most cases, yes. The SSD storage is usually unaffected by power or logic board failures. However, if you have important data, tell us upfront—we'll prioritise data safety in our repair approach. If needed, see our data recovery options.

Should I just buy a new MacBook instead?

Get a diagnosis first. Many repairs cost less than £300, which is far less than a new Mac. We'll always tell you honestly if repair isn't economical. See our repair vs replace guide and Apple vs independent repair comparison.

What if you can't fix it?

No fix, no fee. If we can't repair your Mac, you don't pay for the attempt. We'll discuss data recovery options if needed.

MacBook not turning on after battery drain—what now?

When a MacBook battery fully depletes, it can take 5-15 minutes of charging before the Mac responds. Plug in a known-good charger and wait. If there's still no response after 30 minutes, the battery may be too degraded to hold charge—see our battery replacement guide.