MacBook Not Turning On: Understanding Power Failures

What "Won't Turn On" Actually Means

When someone tells us their MacBook won't turn on, we need to understand exactly what's happening—because "won't turn on" can mean several different things, each pointing to different problems.

Completely Dead

No response at all when you press the power button. No sounds, no fans spinning, no lights, nothing on the screen. The Mac appears completely lifeless. This is what most people mean when they say it won't turn on.

Shows Signs of Life But No Display

The power button triggers something—maybe you hear a startup chime, fans spin up, the caps lock key responds—but the screen stays black. This is actually a different problem, usually related to the display or GPU rather than power.

Starts But Doesn't Boot

The Mac powers on, shows the Apple logo, but never fully loads macOS. It might get stuck at a loading bar, show a prohibitory symbol, or restart repeatedly. These are startup problems rather than power problems.

Only Works When Plugged In

The Mac works fine connected to power but won't turn on when running on battery. This typically indicates a battery issue rather than a fundamental power problem.

Understanding which category your Mac falls into is the first step in diagnosis. A completely dead Mac has different causes than one that shows signs of life but won't display anything.

Common Causes of Power Failure

A MacBook that won't power on can have causes ranging from trivially simple to genuinely complex. Here's what we see most often, roughly in order of frequency.

Drained or Depleted Battery

If a MacBook sits unused for weeks or months, the battery can drain so completely that it won't respond to the power button even when connected to a charger. The battery needs time to regain enough charge to allow startup. We see this regularly with Macs that have been in storage or unused after a move.

Faulty Charger or Charging Cable

Chargers fail more often than people expect. The cable can have internal breaks that aren't visible, the MagSafe or USB-C connector can be damaged, or the power adapter itself can fail. If the battery is depleted and the charger isn't working, the Mac will appear dead.

Charging Port Issues

Debris in the charging port can prevent proper connection. On USB-C MacBooks, the port can develop issues that prevent charging. On older MagSafe models, the port can have damaged pins or corrosion.

SMC or T2/M-Series Chip Issues

The System Management Controller (on Intel Macs) or the T2/M-series chip manages power functions. If these components get into a confused state, the Mac might not respond to the power button. Sometimes a reset can resolve this; sometimes it indicates deeper problems.

Power Management IC (PMIC) Failures

This is what Apple and most repair guides won't tell you: many "dead" MacBooks have a failed component costing under $20 to replace. The Power Management IC (PMIC)—chips like the ISL9240, ISL95857, or on M1/M2 Macs proprietary Apple silicon—controls the power-on sequence. When this chip fails, the Mac appears completely dead even though the rest of the logic board is fine. We diagnose this by measuring voltage rails like PPBUS_G3H and PP3V3_S5. Apple's solution is a $600-$1,200 logic board replacement; component-level repair can fix this for a fraction of that cost. See our M1 MacBook PMIC repair case study for a real example.

Failed Battery

MacBook batteries have a limited lifespan and eventually fail. A battery that's completely failed won't hold any charge, and in some cases can prevent the Mac from powering on even when connected to a charger. Swollen batteries are a particular concern and safety issue. See our battery issues guide for more detail.

Liquid Damage

Even small amounts of liquid can cause power failures if they reach critical components. Liquid damage often affects the power management circuitry on the logic board. The tricky part is that liquid damage can cause delayed failures—a Mac might work fine initially after a spill, then fail days or weeks later as corrosion develops.

Logic Board Failure

Various components on the logic board can fail, preventing power-on. This includes power management chips, voltage regulators, capacitors, and other components in the power delivery path. Logic board failures can be caused by age, manufacturing defects, electrical issues, or physical damage.

Keyboard or Power Button Issues

On most MacBooks, the power button is part of the keyboard assembly. If the keyboard has failed or the ribbon cable connecting it to the logic board is damaged, pressing the power button won't actually send a signal to the Mac. We see this with liquid-damaged keyboards and keyboards that have worn out.

Breaking Down the Symptoms

Different symptoms point to different problems. Here's how to interpret what you're seeing.

No Charging Light or Indicator

If you connect the charger and see no LED indicator (on MagSafe) or no response at all (on USB-C), the problem could be the charger, the charging port, or the charging circuit on the logic board. Try a different charger first if possible.

Charging Light But No Power-On

If the charger shows an amber or green light but the Mac won't respond to the power button, power is reaching the Mac but something is preventing startup. This could be a severely depleted battery that needs time, an SMC issue, a keyboard/power button problem, or a logic board issue.

Brief Fan Spin Then Nothing

If pressing the power button causes fans to briefly spin or the screen to briefly flash before everything stops, this often indicates a short circuit on the logic board. The Mac is trying to start but detecting a fault and shutting down protectively.

Caps Lock Key Responds But Screen Black

If you press the power button and later pressing caps lock makes the light toggle on and off, the Mac is actually running—it's just not displaying anything. This is typically a display or GPU issue rather than a power issue.

Random Shutdowns Then Won't Restart

If the Mac was shutting down unexpectedly before it stopped turning on completely, this history is important. It could indicate a failing battery that finally gave out, overheating issues, or progressive logic board failure.

Safe Things to Try at Home

Before seeking professional repair, there are some safe troubleshooting steps you can try. These won't fix hardware problems, but they can resolve some common situations.

Charge for an Extended Period

If the Mac has been unused for a while, connect it to a known-good charger and leave it for at least 30 minutes to an hour before trying the power button. Severely depleted batteries need time to regain enough charge for startup.

Try a Different Charger

If possible, try borrowing a known-working charger. This is one of the quickest ways to rule out a charger problem. Make sure you're using the correct wattage charger for your model.

Check the Charging Port

Look for debris in the charging port. On USB-C ports, lint and dust can accumulate and prevent proper connection. Use a wooden or plastic toothpick to gently remove any debris—never use metal.

Reset the SMC (Intel Macs)

For Intel MacBooks, an SMC reset can sometimes resolve power issues. The process varies by model—generally involving holding specific key combinations while connecting power. This resets low-level hardware management but won't fix actual hardware failures.

Force Restart Attempt

Hold the power button for 10 seconds. If the Mac was in some confused state, this forced shutdown might allow a fresh start. Then wait a few seconds and try pressing the power button normally.

Check for Swollen Battery Signs

Look at your MacBook from the side on a flat surface. If the bottom case is raised, if the trackpad seems elevated or doesn't click properly, or if there are gaps around the edges, you may have a swollen battery. If you suspect this, do not attempt to use or charge the Mac—seek professional help immediately.

What Not to Do

Some common reactions can make the situation worse. Here's what to avoid.

Don't Open the Mac Without Proper Knowledge

Modern MacBooks are complex, and improper disassembly can cause additional damage. Ribbon cables are fragile, components can be damaged by static electricity, and battery connectors require proper handling. If you're not experienced with electronics repair, leave it to professionals.

Don't Attempt to Jump-Start the Battery

We've seen people try to bypass the battery or connect external power directly to internal components. This can cause serious damage to the logic board and creates safety risks.

Don't Force Chargers or Connections

If a charger isn't fitting properly or you're not getting a connection, forcing it can damage the port. USB-C and MagSafe connections should be smooth and easy.

Don't Assume It's the Battery and Order Parts

Many people order replacement batteries assuming that's the problem, only to install them and find the issue persists. Without proper diagnosis, you might spend money on parts you don't need while the actual problem remains unfixed.

Don't Use Rice If There Was Liquid Exposure

Rice doesn't effectively dry electronics, and the starch dust can create additional problems. If liquid damage is suspected, professional assessment is needed to properly clean and address any corrosion.

When Professional Repair Is Needed

If the basic troubleshooting steps don't work, or if any of the following apply, professional diagnosis is the appropriate next step.

• The Mac still won't respond after trying a different charger and extended charging
• There was any liquid exposure, even minor, even if it was weeks ago
• You notice any signs of a swollen battery
• The Mac shows brief signs of life (fans, lights) then shuts down
• There's any burning smell or unusual heat from specific areas
• The Mac stopped working during a power surge or electrical storm
• You have important data on the Mac that isn't backed up
• You've tried resets and other basic steps without success

Professional diagnosis can identify the actual cause and determine whether repair is feasible and economical. Many power issues that seem catastrophic turn out to be repairable at reasonable cost.

How We Diagnose Power Issues

When you bring a Mac with power issues to our workshop, here's how we approach diagnosis.

Initial Assessment

We start by understanding the history—when did it stop working, was there any event that preceded it, any liquid exposure, any unusual behavior before the failure. This context helps guide our investigation.

Power Path Testing

Using specialized equipment, we measure the power path from the charging port through to the logic board. We can identify where power is flowing, where it's being blocked, and measure voltages at various points. This tells us which part of the power chain has failed.

Visual Inspection

We open the Mac and inspect for obvious issues—corrosion, burnt components, damaged cables, swollen batteries, debris. Many problems are visible on careful inspection.

Component Testing

If initial testing points to the logic board, we can test individual components in the power management circuitry. This determines whether the issue is repairable at component level or requires board replacement.

Data Assessment

If data recovery is a concern, we assess whether the drive can be accessed. Sometimes we can recover data even from a Mac that won't boot by accessing the drive directly.

Typical Repair Solutions

Depending on diagnosis, here are the common repair paths for Macs that won't turn on.

Battery Replacement

If the battery has failed, replacement restores normal operation. This is common in MacBooks that are several years old or have high cycle counts. Battery replacement is generally straightforward.

Charging Port Repair

Damaged or corroded charging ports can often be repaired or replaced. On some models the port is a separate component; on others it's part of a larger assembly.

Keyboard/Power Button Repair

If the power button or keyboard ribbon cable is the issue, keyboard replacement resolves it. On newer MacBooks this can be more involved due to the integrated design.

Logic Board Repair

Many logic board power issues can be repaired at component level—replacing a failed chip, capacitor, or other component rather than the entire board. This is typically far more economical than board replacement.

Logic Board Replacement

In cases of extensive damage or failure of components that can't be individually replaced, board replacement may be necessary. We can often source quality used boards as a more economical option than new.

Liquid Damage Cleaning and Repair

For liquid damage, thorough cleaning to remove corrosion followed by repair of any damaged components. Success depends on the extent of the damage and how quickly it's addressed.

Affected Mac Models

Power issues can affect any MacBook, but certain models have known patterns.

MacBook Air

• MacBook Air 11-inch (2010-2015) - Various models
• MacBook Air 13-inch (2010-2017) - Various models
• MacBook Air 13-inch Retina (2018-2020) - Intel models
• MacBook Air M1 (2020), M2 (2022), M3 (2024)

MacBook Pro 13-inch

• MacBook Pro 13-inch (2009-2012) - Non-Retina models
• MacBook Pro 13-inch Retina (2012-2015)
• MacBook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar (2016-2020)
• MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 (2020), M2 (2022)
• MacBook Pro 14-inch M1 Pro/Max (2021), M3 series (2023)

MacBook Pro 15-inch and 16-inch

• MacBook Pro 15-inch (2008-2012) - Non-Retina models
• MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina (2012-2015)
• MacBook Pro 15-inch with Touch Bar (2016-2019)
• MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019-2021) - Intel and M1 models
• MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 series (2023)

Model-Specific Issues

Some models have known issues—certain 2016-2017 MacBook Pro models had keyboard issues that could affect the power button. Some 2011-2013 MacBook Pro models had GPU failures that could prevent startup. Knowing your specific model helps in diagnosis.

Related Problems

Power issues often overlap with or lead to other MacBook problems. These related guides may also be helpful:

• MacBook Battery Issues - When the problem is specifically battery-related
• MacBook Liquid Damage - If there was any liquid exposure
• MacBook Startup Errors - When the Mac powers on but won't boot properly
• MacBook Screen Issues - If the Mac powers on but the display doesn't work
• MacBook Data Recovery - When data access is the priority

For help understanding technical terms, see our MacBook Repair Glossary. For real repair examples, see our Repair Case Studies. If you're weighing your options, our Repair Options Guide compares Apple repair to independent repair.