How can I deal with the startup chime, no boot, and white screen of death issue on my MacBook?
How can I deal with the startup chime, no boot, and white screen of death issue on my MacBook?
Recently, I’ve been experiencing a frustrating issue with my MacBook. Whenever I try to turn it on, I hear the startup chime but then it won’t boot up properly. Instead of loading normally, it just gets stuck on a white screen, sometimes referred to as the ‘white screen of death’. It seems like it’s trying to start up, but it just can’t get past this blank white display. I’ve tried shutting it down and restarting it multiple times, but nothing seems to change. The screen stays stubbornly white, and I can’t get my MacBook to function properly. This issue has been incredibly disruptive, as I rely on my MacBook for both work and personal tasks. I’m not sure what’s causing this or how to fix it, and it’s starting to worry me.
8 Answers
Reinstall macOS itself. A clean installation can fix software-related problems causing startup issues. Follow these instructions:
1. Turn off your MacBook.
2. Turn it on and immediately hold down Command + Option + R to start in Internet Recovery mode.
3. When you see the macOS Utilities screen, select Reinstall macOS.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the operating system.
Try booting your MacBook in Safe Mode. Safe Mode runs checks and prevents certain software from automatically loading, which can sometimes pinpoint or resolve issues. To enter Safe Mode, start your MacBook and immediately press and hold the Shift key while it boots. Keep holding the Shift key until you see the login window. This process clears out system caches and could potentially solve problems causing the white screen. After logging in, observe if the issue persists. If the system loads properly, consider removing any recently installed apps that could be causing the problem.
Disconnect all peripherals and perform a power cycle. Sometimes USB devices or other peripherals interfere with the boot process. Unplug everything from your MacBook, including the power adapter:
1. Wait for a couple of minutes.
2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to make sure the MacBook is completely off.
3. Reconnect only essential items like the power adapter and try turning it on again.
You might want to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your MacBook. The SMC controls hardware functions like power management and display settings, and it can occasionally become corrupted. Here’s how you can reset it:
1. Shutdown your MacBook completely.
2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release.
3. Wait a few seconds and then restart your MacBook.
Alternatively, if you have an older MacBook with a removable battery:
1. Shut down your MacBook and disconnect the power adapter.
2. Remove the battery.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
4. Reinstall the battery, connect the power adapter, and turn on your MacBook.
Try resetting the Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM). NVRAM stores settings like sound volume, display resolution, and startup disk selection which could be affected. To reset NVRAM:
1. Shut down your MacBook.
2. Turn it on and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R.
3. Keep holding these keys for about 20 seconds. The system may restart during this process.
4. Release the keys and let your MacBook boot normally.
If you’re comfortable with a bit more technical involvement, use Disk Utility in macOS Recovery mode to repair the startup disk. This tool can address file system issues causing the startup failure. Follow these steps:
1. Turn off your MacBook.
2. Turn it on and immediately hold down Command + R to boot into Recovery mode.
3. When the Utilities window appears, select Disk Utility and click Continue.
4. Choose your startup disk from the sidebar and click on the First Aid button.
5. Click Run to start the disk repair process. After the process completes, restart your MacBook.
Consider running Apple Diagnostics or Apple Hardware Test to check for hardware issues. These tools are designed to identify if a defective component is causing the startup problem. Follow these steps:
1. Turn off your MacBook and disconnect all external devices except for the keyboard, mouse, display, and connection to AC power.
2. Turn on your MacBook and immediately press and hold the D key.
3. Release the D key when you see a progress bar or a screen indicating you are entering Diagnostics mode.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the test. If any issues are found, follow the recommendations provided.
If none of the above methods work, professional assistance may be required. Visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider. They have the tools to diagnose deeper hardware issues or complicated software corruption that might be causing your MacBook’s startup chime, no boot, and white screen of death problem.