How to fix Mac that is stuck on the Apple logo or loading bar during startup

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix Mac that is stuck on the Apple logo or loading bar during startup. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

If your Mac is stuck on the Apple logo, a progress bar (sometimes called a loading bar or spinning wheel), or a grey screen during startup, it usually means macOS is having trouble loading. This can be caused by software conflicts, corrupt system files, peripheral issues, or hardware problems. The good news is that most startup issues can be resolved without losing your data using the steps below.

Before You Begin

• Disconnect all unnecessary peripherals (USB drives, printers, external displays, dongles) except your keyboard, mouse, and power cable.
• Make sure your Mac has at least 20% battery, or is plugged into power.
• If your Mac is a notebook, try connecting the charger directly to a wall outlet rather than a power board.
• Allow at least 10–15 minutes on the loading screen before assuming it is truly stuck. macOS updates can take a while, especially on older machines.

Quick Fix Steps

Try these solutions in order. Move to the next one if the previous does not resolve the issue.

1. Force restart your Mac.
2. Boot into Safe Mode to clear caches and run repairs.
3. Reset NVRAM / SMC (Intel Macs only).
4. Use macOS Recovery to repair the startup disk.
5. Reinstall macOS without erasing your data.

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Force Restart Your Mac

A force restart clears the current memory state and is safe to perform.

• MacBook (with Touch ID) and Apple Silicon Macs: Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds until the Mac turns off. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again.
• iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro: Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds, then press it again to start up.

If your Mac boots normally, you are done. If it is still stuck, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads only the essential software macOS needs to run, performs disk checks, and clears certain caches that can cause startup problems.

1. Shut down your Mac (if it is on).
2. Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
3. Release the Shift key when you see the login window or desktop.
4. Sign in — you may be asked to log in twice.
5. Test your Mac by restarting normally. If it boots up without issues, the problem was likely a cache or software conflict.

Step 3: Reset NVRAM or PRAM (Intel Macs Only)

NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) stores settings like display resolution, startup disk selection, and recent kernel panic information. Resetting it can resolve startup issues on Intel-based Macs.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press the power button, then immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R.
3. Hold the keys for about 20 seconds. On Macs that play a startup chime, you can release the keys after the chime plays a second time. On Macs without a chime, release after 20 seconds.
4. Your Mac will restart. You may need to re-select your startup disk or adjust some settings.

Step 4: Reset the SMC (Intel MacBooks Only)

The System Management Controller (SMC) controls power, battery, and thermal management. Resetting it can resolve stuck startup behaviour on Intel-based MacBooks.

For MacBooks with a non-removable battery:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold Shift + Control + Option on the left side of the keyboard, then press and hold the power button at the same time.
3. Hold all keys for 10 seconds.
4. Release all keys, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

Step 5: Use macOS Recovery to Repair the Startup Disk

macOS Recovery includes tools that can repair your startup disk and reinstall the operating system without affecting your personal files.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command + R until you see an Apple logo or a spinning globe.
3. When the macOS Utilities window appears, select Disk Utility and click Continue.
4. Select your startup disk (usually named Macintosh HD) from the sidebar.
5. Click First Aid, then click Run.
6. When the repair is complete, quit Disk Utility and restart your Mac.

Step 6: Reinstall macOS

Reinstalling macOS replaces the system files but keeps your personal documents, apps, and settings intact.

1. Boot into macOS Recovery using Command + R (as described above).
2. Select Reinstall macOS and click Continue.
3. Follow the prompts and select your startup disk when asked.
4. Wait for the installation to complete — your Mac may restart several times.
5. After installation, sign in and confirm your files are still in place.

Troubleshooting

Mac Still Will Not Start After All Steps

If your Mac remains stuck after trying all the steps above, the issue may be hardware-related. Common culprits include:

• Failing or full internal SSD
• Faulty or insufficient RAM (Intel Macs)
• Logic board or power issues
• Damaged or swollen battery (MacBooks)

Try booting from an external macOS installer created on another Mac using DiskMaker X or the built-in createinstallmedia command. If your Mac starts up from the external drive, the internal drive or hardware is likely the cause.

Mac Shows a Spinning Globe Instead of Apple Logo

A spinning globe means your Mac is attempting to start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. This is normal if you held Option + Command + R or Shift + Option + Command + R. If you did not intend to do this, force shut down and try again with the correct key combination.

Mac Shows a Question Mark Folder

This means your Mac cannot find a bootable operating system. Boot into Recovery using Command + R and reinstall macOS, or use Option at startup to manually select a valid startup disk.

Mac Restarts Repeatedly or Shows a Kernel Panic

Kernel panic screens often display text in multiple languages. If your Mac restarts more than once during startup:

1. Boot into Safe Mode (as described in Step 2) and remove any recently installed software or peripherals that may be causing the conflict.
2. Check for macOS updates in System Settings > General > Software Update once your Mac is running normally.
3. Reset NVRAM (Step 3) and SMC (Step 4) if you have an Intel Mac.
4. If the issue persists, back up your data using Target Disk Mode or by removing the drive and connecting it to another Mac, then reinstall macOS.
5. Contact Apple Support or visit an authorised service provider if the problem continues, as this may indicate a hardware fault.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you have tried all the steps above and your Mac is still stuck, or if Disk Utility reports physical damage to your drive, it is time to contact Apple Support or book a service appointment. Avoid opening the Mac yourself, as this can void your warranty and cause further damage.

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