A MacBook Pro that won't turn on may need to be serviced at the Apple Store, but before you take it in, try a few things to see if the problem is something simple you can fix.

A MacBook Pro that won't start up at all is different from one that starts up and freezes on a blue or black screen. Information in this article applies to any MacBook that won't start at all.

How to Fix a MacBook Pro That Won't Turn On

Press the Power button on the MacBook Pro and listen for sounds from the fan or humming or whirring noises. If you hear anything or see lights on the keyboard, your Mac is starting up just fine, but your display has a problem that may require professional help. However, if you hear and see nothing, these fixes may get your MacBook Pro back up and running.

1. Check the power connections. If your MacBook Pro won't turn on at all, then the first thing to check is that it's plugged in. Wait a few minutes before turning on the Mac again. Don't forget to check the power outlet with a lamp or another device to make sure the outlet functions correctly.

2. Swap out the power cable or adapter. If the Mac is plugged in and doesn't turn on, the power cable may be faulty. Swap it with a known working cable to help pinpoint the problem.

3. Charge the battery. If you run your laptop on battery power, the battery may be dead. Plug in the laptop and wait at least 10 minutes while the battery charges before starting the MacBook on battery power. If you can't charge the battery, take the MacBook to an App Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for a replacement battery. Here's how to go about replacing your MacBook Pro's battery.

4. Turn up the screen brightness. It's possible the MacBook Pro is turned on, but you can't see it. Press the F2 key at the top of the keyboard to make the screen brighter. On MacBook Pros with the Touch Bar, the brightness control is on the Touch Bar, If the Touch Bar isn't lit up, the MacBook Pro isn't turned on.

5. Remove all accessories and peripherals from the Mac. A problem with a printer, external drive, USB hub, or mobile device-or one of the cables-could prevent the Mac from starting.

6. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC). The SMC controls much of the basic functionality of a Mac, from its display and lights to its fan and Power button. Resetting it sometimes resolves whatever stops the MacBook Pro from turning on. The method differs for MacBook Pros from 2009 or earlier or for the recent MacBook Pros with the T2 security chip.

Causes of a MacBook Pro Not Turning On

When a MacBook Pro doesn't turn on at all, the problem is often related to the power from a wall outlet and the cable that supplies it to the Mac or its battery. However, there are other possible culprits.

• How can I safe boot a MacBook Pro that won't turn on?

  With the power off, press and hold theShiftkey. Press the power button to start the MacBook Pro, then release the Shift key when you see the login window or desktop. A safe boot starts the MacBook Pro with only a bare minimum of extensions. It disables most fonts, and deletes caches.

• How do I hard restart a MacBook Pro?

  To hard restart a MacBook Pro with an M1 chip, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. In the startup window, selectOptions>Continue>Disk Utility. To perform a hard restart on a MacBook Pro with an Intel chip, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. Then press and release the power button and quickly press and holdCommand+Runtil you see the Apple logo > run Disk Utility.