What to do when your MacBook won't turn on

When your MacBook Pro® or MacBook Air® won't turn on, it's incredibly frustrating—you can't do much of anything with your laptop. But don't worry, we have some simple tips that can help get your device working properly again.

At Asurion, when tech breaks, we fix it—whether your MacBook keys aren’t working or your Nintendo Switch® won't charge. We'll walk you through what to do if your MacBook® won't turn on so you can get back up and running fast.

How to fix a MacBook that won't turn on

There are many reasons why your MacBook may not be powering on. If nothing happens when you press your laptop's power button, try these simple solutions.

Check your power source

First, make sure your MacBook battery is charged. If it's not, plug in your laptop and let it power up. Check out our guide for what to do when your MacBook battery won't charge.

Test different power cables and adapters

If your MacBook won't turn on, you may have a faulty cord or adapter. Try using a different Apple® MacBook charger or swap out the cable for a new one.

Check the screen's brightness

Press the increase brightness key on your keyboard, or press and hold the sun icon in the Control Strip and move your finger to the right to make sure the brightness is turned up. If you accidentally set the slider all the way to the left, the screen will appear black and your MacBook will look like it's turned off.

Check your screen and monitor connection

If you hear your MacBook starting but don't see anything on your screen, it could be an issue with the display, and you may need expert help to repair it.

If your MacBook is connected to an external monitor, disconnect it and see if that causes the MacBook screen to work properly. If it doesn't, reconnect the MacBook to the external monitor and make sure the latter is plugged in, receiving power, and turned on. Then check to make sure the cord connecting your MacBook and monitor is firmly attached, not damaged, and plugged into the correct input. If that doesn't work, try connecting your MacBook to a TV or a different monitor—this might allow you to use your computer even if your original screen is broken.

Inspect your laptop for damage

Check your MacBook for any physical damage, especially around the ports and on the bottom of your laptop. Read our guide to learn what to do if you see any evidence of battery swelling or damage.

Disconnect your accessories

If you're still asking yourself, “why won't my MacBook turn on?" it could be interference from another product. Unplug all accessories you have connected to your MacBook, like printers, headphones, flash drives, HDMI cords, monitors, speakers, etc. Then start your MacBook and see if that resolves the issue.

Perform a power cycle

If your MacBook still isn't turning on, you could run a power cycle to try to force it to restart. Try this:

1. Plug your MacBook into its charger and hold down the Power button for at least 10 seconds.
2. This will cut all power to the MacBook, as if you removed the battery.
3. Release the Power button, leave it off for a few seconds, then press it again to start your MacBook.