If a MacBook Pro does not seem to turn on, Apple's article says: make sure the power cable is undamaged and plugged into a working outlet, try another compatible cable or adapter, press and hold the power button (Touch ID on a laptop) for about 10 seconds, then press it normally, and unplug every accessory before repeating. If something appears on screen, a flashing question mark for instance, the Mac is on but not starting up and the startup page applies; if the screen stays blank, the blank-screen page applies. Apple says the SMC reset is for Intel-based Macs, not Apple silicon. On a Pro, unplug the HDMI cable, SD card and Thunderbolt devices as well as the adapter, since any of them can hold up startup.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch will not turn on or start”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
No power reaching the Mac
What separates it The MagSafe or adapter light is dark and nothing responds
How to confirm Apple says to check the cable, the outlet and try another adapter; a 14-inch needs 70W or 96W and a 16-inch 140W
- 2
A flat battery
What separates it The Pro was left unused or ran completely flat
How to confirm Charge it for a while before the first start; see the charging page
- 3
An accessory blocking startup
What separates it The Pro works after unplugging hubs, drives, SD cards and displays
How to confirm Apple says to unplug all accessories, then repeat the power button steps
- 4
A stuck startup
What separates it Something appears on screen but never reaches the login window
How to confirm Apple says a flashing question mark or logo means it is on but not starting up; use the startup page
- 5
A logic-board, battery or display fault
What separates it Nothing works after every step above and the Mac still behaves the same way
How to confirm Apple says if the Mac still does not turn on, it might need service
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which MacBook Pro you have and the last thing that happened before the fault
- Whether the charger light comes on and whether the Pro gets warm or the fans spin
- What appears, if anything, when you hold the power button
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the power path
ReversibleTest the outlet with a lamp and try another compatible cable or adapter, so you know whether the accessory is faulty.
Hold the power button
ReversiblePress and hold it (Touch ID) for about 10 seconds, then press and release it normally.
Unplug everything
ReversibleUnplug everything, by removing HDMI, SD cards, drives, hubs and displays, then repeating the power button steps.
Charge for a while
ReversibleLeave the Pro on a known-good adapter before trying again, since a flat cell looks like a dead Mac.
Look for signs of life
ReversibleLook for signs of life, and note any lights, fan noise, warmth or a faint image under a flashlight.
Try Recovery
ReversibleIf something appears, hold the power button until Loading startup options appears and choose Options to reach macOS Recovery.
Book service
ReversibleIf nothing works after all of this, Apple says the Mac might need service, so back up if you can and book an appointment.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Power path
- MagSafe 3 or Thunderbolt, with 70W or 96W adapters for the 14-inch and a 140W adapter for the 16-inch per Apple's tech specs. The power button doubles as Touch ID.
- No SMC reset
- Apple's article says an SMC reset is for Intel-based Macs; the M3 and M4 Pros need a restart or power button hold instead.
- Part numbers
- No part number is involved. Apple identifies the Mac by model and serial number under About This Mac, or on the underside.
- Repair cost
- iFixit's table lists Apple's US estimate for a MacBook Pro battery replacement at $249, and Apple quotes logic-board repairs after diagnosis.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 family), MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3 family).
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If it will not turn on after a known-good adapter, a 10-second power button hold and unplugging accessories, contact Apple
- !If it smells of burning, is hot or swollen, stop and take it to Apple the same day
- !If the battery is the cause, iFixit lists Apple's US battery estimate at $249 for MacBook Pro models
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Power cable, external display, 10-second power button hold, accessories and SMC on Intel Macs.
Blank screen at startup, Recovery, firmware and service.
Outlet, wattage and the 60-second rest.
What each startup screen means.
72.4-watt-hour battery, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, 24 hours video, Center Stage camera and display support.
100-watt-hour battery, 140W adapter, Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC and ProMotion.
Table of Apple's out-of-warranty battery cost for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models, from Apple's shared estimates as of February 2025.
Exact questions
Common questions
The light is amber but the Pro will not start. Why?+
Apple says amber on the MagSafe connector means charging is underway or on hold. Leave it to charge a while, then try the power button again.
Does the adapter matter?+
Yes. A low-wattage adapter may not start a flat Pro under load; Apple lists 70W or 96W for the 14-inch and 140W for the 16-inch.