Press the power button on the back or side of your Mac
The power button on a Mac desktop is usually a circular button located on the back of the machine, near the bottom. On some older models, it may be on the side. Press it once and hold for a moment — you do not need to hold it for more than a second. The Mac will begin its startup sequence when ready.
You will see the Apple logo appear on the screen within a few seconds, followed by a progress bar. This is normal. The startup process typically takes 30 seconds to two minutes, depending on how much data your Mac has and how long it has been since the last shutdown.
If nothing happens after you press the button, check that the power cable is firmly connected to both the Mac and the wall outlet. A loose cable is the most common reason a Mac will not start.
Key Takeaways
- The power button on a Mac desktop is a circular button on the back or side of the machine, and you press it once to start up.
- The startup process takes 30 seconds to two minutes, and you will see the Apple logo and a progress bar on the screen.
- If the Mac does not start, check that the power cable is connected firmly to both the machine and the wall outlet.
- Once the Mac finishes starting up, you may be asked to enter your password or select a user account before you can use it.
- If the Mac starts but the screen stays black, try pressing a key on the keyboard or moving the mouse to wake the display.
What happens after the Apple logo appears
After you see the Apple logo, your Mac is loading its operating system into memory. The progress bar below the logo shows how far along this process is. During this time, you should not turn off the Mac or unplug it — doing so can damage files and prevent the Mac from starting properly the next time.
When the startup is complete, you will see the login screen. If your Mac has multiple user accounts, you will need to click on your account name and enter your password. If there is only one account, you may be taken directly to the desktop.
The screen is black or stays asleep after startup
Sometimes the Mac starts up but the display does not turn on. This usually means the monitor is in sleep mode or the display cable is loose. Try pressing any key on the keyboard or moving the mouse — this often wakes the screen.
If the screen is still black, check that the monitor's power cable and video cable are both connected firmly. The video cable connects the monitor to the Mac and is usually a thick cable with connectors on both ends. Reseat both cables by unplugging them and plugging them back in firmly.
If you still see nothing on the screen after reseating the cables, try a different monitor if you have one available. This will tell you whether the problem is with the Mac or with the monitor itself.
Restarting a Mac that is already on
If your Mac is already on and you want to restart it, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select "Restart." A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm. Click "Restart" again. The Mac will close any open programs and restart itself.
If a program is not responding and you cannot restart normally, you can force a restart by holding down the power button for 10 seconds until the Mac shuts down, then press the power button again to turn it back on. This should be a last resort, as it can cause data loss if you have unsaved work.
Turning off a Mac instead of restarting
To shut down your Mac completely, click the Apple menu and select "Shut Down." A dialog will ask you to confirm. Click "Shut Down" again. The Mac will close all programs and turn off completely.
You can also hold down the power button for several seconds until the Mac shuts down, though this is less safe than using the menu because programs do not get a chance to save their work. Always use the Apple menu shutdown when possible.
What to do if the Mac will not turn on at all
If you press the power button and nothing happens — no lights, no sound, no Apple logo — the problem is likely power-related. Check that the power cable is plugged into a working outlet by plugging in another device, like a lamp. If the outlet works but the Mac still does not start, try a different power cable if you have one available.
If a different cable works, your original cable is faulty and needs to be replaced. If the Mac still will not start even with a working cable and outlet, the power supply inside the Mac may have failed. At this point, you will need to contact Apple Support or take the Mac to an authorized repair shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take a Mac to fully start up?
A typical Mac takes 30 seconds to two minutes to start up completely, depending on how much data is stored on it and how long it has been since the last shutdown. Older Macs or those with a lot of files may take longer. If startup takes more than five minutes, something may be wrong.
Do I need to shut down my Mac every day?
No. Modern Macs are designed to run for long periods. Many people leave their Macs on all the time or put them to sleep instead of shutting them down. Sleep mode uses very little power and lets your Mac wake up quickly when you need it.
What is the difference between sleep and shutdown?
Sleep mode turns off the display and most of the Mac's functions but keeps it powered on, so it wakes up when ready when you press a key or move the mouse. Shutdown turns off the Mac completely and uses no power, but startup takes 30 seconds to two minutes the next time you turn it on.
Can I turn on a Mac by pressing a key on the keyboard?
No. You must use the power button to turn on a Mac. Pressing a key on the keyboard will only wake a Mac from sleep mode, not turn it on from a complete shutdown.
What should I do if the startup progress bar gets stuck?
If the progress bar does not move for more than five minutes, try holding down the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown, then press the power button again to restart. If the problem happens repeatedly, the Mac may have a hardware issue and should be checked by Apple Support.