2025 Fix: What to Do When Your MacBook Doesn’t Turn On
Your MacBook suddenly "struck down"? Nothing happens when you press the power button, and it's still dead even after plugging it in for hours? Don't rush to send it in for repair, it could be a minor problem. The following troubleshooting steps may help you save a lot of money on repairs!
Phase 1: Power system diagnosis
The device itself may be in normal state, but there is an abnormality in the power supply link.
Replacement power adapter test
It is recommended to use the original power adapter of the same specification for cross-testing to eliminate the possibility of adapter aging or damage.
MagSafe interface diagnosis
Models equipped with MagSafe magnetic interface can make preliminary judgments through the LED status indicator:
1.Confirm that the input end (AC plug) and output end (DC connector) of the adapter are in good contact
2.If the indicator light is not on, it may involve:
- Power adapter failure
- I/O board (input and output board) abnormality
- Motherboard (logic board) power supply circuit problem
- Touchpad cable short circuit in specific models
USB-C power supply solution detection
Models powered by USB-C should pay attention to:
- Test interface double-sided connection (Type-C interface supports positive and negative insertion)
- Replace MFi certified data cable
- Check whether the output power of the power adapter meets the device requirements
Power supply environment verification
Use other electrical devices to test the effectiveness of the power socket. It is recommended to bypass the power strip and connect directly to the wall plug.
Stage 2: Forced restart operation
For unresponsive system, perform a hardware-level restart:
- Intel platform devices: Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to force power off, and restart after 2 seconds
- Apple Silicon devices: Press and hold the power button for more than 10 seconds until the boot logo appears
Stage 3: System Management Controller Reset (Intel architecture only)
When the power management system is abnormal:
1.Keep the device connected to the power supply
5.Press the Shift+Control+Option+Power button combination at the same time
3.Release after 10 seconds to restart the device
(Note: Apple Silicon models based on the ARM architecture have integrated the power management unit and do not need this operation)
Advanced diagnostic solution
If the above steps do not work, it is recommended to do the following:
1.Hardware self-test: Determine whether the basic power supply is normal by the sound of the fan running inside the device and the vibration of the storage medium
2.Display output test: Connect an external display through the Thunderbolt or HDMI interface to eliminate LCD panel failure
3.Minimum system test: Remove all peripherals and only keep the power supply for startup test
Professional repair suggestions
When all software-level solutions are ineffective, there may be:
- Motherboard power management chip (PMIC) failure
- Battery management system (BMS) abnormality
- Other hardware-level damage
It is recommended to go to an Apple Store or authorized service provider for diagnosis. Unauthorized disassembly will invalidate the warranty.
What typical fault phenomena have you encountered during equipment maintenance? Feel free to share your diagnostic experience in the comments section!