Plug in the original charger for at least 15–30 minutes and check the cable and outlet. Make sure it's not just the display: listen for fans, look for the keyboard backlight, press Caps Lock, or connect an external display. Then hold the power button (Touch ID) for 10 seconds and try again. Intel MacBooks can also have their SMC reset. If there are still no signs of life, especially after a spill, it's usually a logic board fault, which can often be repaired with your files intact.
Is it really off?
A Mac with a dead display can look completely off while it's actually running. Before assuming the worst, turn the screen brightness all the way up, since a dimmed display can look black in a bright room. Then check for signs of life:
- Listen for fans or a startup sound.
- Look for the keyboard backlight, or press Caps Lock and see if its light comes on.
- Connect an external display. If you get a picture there, the MacBook's screen or its backlight is the problem, not the whole computer.
Check the power
- Use the charger and cable that came with the MacBook, plugged straight into a wall outlet.
- Try a different outlet, and inspect the cable for damage.
- On models with MagSafe, check that the connector's light comes on.
- If the battery is completely drained, leave it charging for at least 15–30 minutes before trying again.
Force a restart
Press and hold the power button (Touch ID on newer models) for 10 seconds, release it, wait a few seconds, then press it again normally.
Intel and Apple silicon Macs are different
Apple silicon (M1 and later): there's no SMC reset. Shutting down fully, waiting about 30 seconds and starting up again does the same job. If the Mac still won't start, Apple silicon Macs can sometimes be revived from another Mac using Apple Configurator. Reviving doesn't erase data, but it's an advanced step.
Intel MacBooks with the T2 chip (most 2018–2020 models): shut down, then press and hold left Control, left Option and right Shift for 7 seconds. Keep holding them and also press and hold the power button for another 7 seconds. Release, wait a few seconds, and turn the Mac on. Older Intel models use a different key combination, so follow Apple's instructions for your model.
If it got wet
If liquid was spilled on it, don't keep trying to turn it on. Liquid plus power causes short circuits that spread damage across the logic board. Unplug it and get it cleaned as soon as you can.
Don't put it in rice or use a hair dryer. Rice doesn't remove the residue that causes corrosion, and heat can damage the battery. Coffee, soda and juice are worse than water because sugar and acid speed up corrosion.
Signs it's the logic board
- No fans, no lights and no response with a known-good charger.
- It died after a spill, even days earlier.
- It gets warm in one spot while it's off and plugged in.
- There's a burning smell.
- The trackpad is pushed up or the case is bulging, which can mean a swollen battery. Stop charging it.
Your files and the repair
On Apple silicon and T2 Macs, the internal storage is encrypted and tied to the logic board, so getting your files back means repairing the board until it starts up. That's exactly what board-level repair does, and it usually costs far less than a new Mac.
If your files are backed up with Time Machine or iCloud, you're protected either way. If they aren't, don't let anyone erase or replace the logic board until you've discussed data recovery. Once the original board is gone, the data usually goes with it.
A dead MacBook is a free check: we diagnose it before quoting. See MacBook repair, or book your MacBook repair.
Frequently asked questions
My MacBook screen is black but I can hear it running. What's wrong?
The Mac is on, but the display or its backlight has failed. Connect an external display to confirm, then get the screen or backlight circuit repaired.
Is it worth repairing a MacBook logic board?
Usually. A board-level repair often costs a fraction of a new Mac and keeps your files and setup.
Can you recover files from a MacBook that won't turn on?
Often, yes. On newer Macs the storage is tied to the board, so we repair the board until it starts, then copy your files.
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