Macbook air 13 beeps when turned on. What to do, the MacBook does not turn on. MacBook video problems and their treatment

We choose the MacBook for its simplicity: Apple laptops do not require too much attention and study of technical details. Even in the event of a failure, it is often enough to simply restore the system and not worry about the rest ... However, even Apple users may need service, for example, if the MacBook beeps and does not turn on, it is hardly possible to solve the problem with a regular recovery.

Such sounds when starting up a MacBook may indicate, first of all, the failure of individual system components. In the system, in case of hardware problems, there are several basic sound signals with the help of which the device informs about certain malfunctions:

If your MacBook emits one long beep or three short beeps at intervals of five seconds,this speaks of RAM problems:

the memory module is out of order and the system cannot detect it,

memory failed the data integrity test.

In both cases, it is necessary to check the contact of the RAM and the slot and, if necessary, replace the module or repair the connectors / contact tracks responsible for the memory.

Long beep when the power button is held downindicates that the system is updating the EFI firmware.

If your MacBook beeps with an “SOS” signal(three short beeps, three long and three short beeps again), this indicates a damaged EFI firmware memory.

In both cases, the firmware installation process will take some time, during which it is not recommended to perform any actions with the MacBook. For models prior to 2008, EFI recovery may require the installation disc that came with your computer.

If your MacBook beeps, but the sound is not coming from the speaker, or it contains a different code, the cause may be various components of the laptop: there are several typical MacBook malfunctions, accompanied by characteristic sounds when the laptop is turned on:

Hard drive failure. In this case, you can fix the problem by replacing the drive yourself.

Cooler wear. A malfunction of the cooling system can significantly affect the performance of the computer, and therefore its functioning in this mode is impossible. The malfunction is eliminated by repairing or replacing the cooler.

Malfunction of the video card. It can be caused by overheating of the computer, as a result of which the graphics module most often fails. Eliminated by replacing the video chip or the entire video card, depending on the nature of the damage.

Failure of the motherboard. It can be associated with both overheating of the computer and exposure to liquid. In the first case, component repair or complete replacement of the board will be required; in case of liquid penetration, the malfunction is eliminated by cleaning the board from oxides.

Also, the problem may be of a different nature. The specialists of the service center will help to diagnose the malfunction most accurately. But, despite the seeming seriousness, it is not worth putting an end to the laptop ahead of time: if the MacBook beeps, in most cases this is the result of not the most serious damage, and the repair will not take much time and money.

Articles

Reading time: 7 minutes

Let's take a look at the reasons why your MacBook won't boot after updating your Mac OS system in this article. There are clearly software errors that could have happened due to the fault of Apple itself, or incorrect actions on your part (settings and the update process).

In some cases, the matter can be complicated by the failure of internal modules due to overheating. In such cases, it is better to contact the service center in your city.

This article applies to all MacBook Pro and Air models released in different years. There may be some differences in architecture or description of the Mac OS version.

Reasons why MacBook won't boot after update

The device can behave in a similar way due to a number of different errors. Let's take a look at them:

Ask your question to a specialist

Do not know how to solve a problem in the operation of your gadget and need expert advice?

• Installing updates for the Mac OS operating system (or the laptop installed it on its own, if the auto-update option is activated).
• When you restart (turn on) your device, a black screen was displayed instead of the download bar.
• Looking at this black screen, you heard 3 long beep-beep-beep sounds repeated every 5 seconds.

The official Apple website has symptoms and a description of this error. Three consecutive signals, which are repeated with a five-second pause, indicate that the RAM could not pass the data integrity check.

It turns out that the problem is related to the RAM of the device. Judging by user reports, most often this error is given by the following devices: MacBook Pro a1278, a1260, MacBook Air a1466. Let's consider ways to solve the problem.

Resetting SMC Parameters

If the MacBook does not turn on and beeps, then this is a signal of an error with RAM, which can be resolved by resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) settings. Follow one of the algorithms, depending on the type of device used.

MacBook with non-removable battery

MacBook with removable battery

Such devices are rare, but still consider the algorithm of actions:

Mac Pro, Mac mini, iMac

In this situation, it is even easier to reset the parameters of the system control controller:

• We turn on the device. If it doesn't respond, turn it off by pressing and holding the power button for 10 seconds.
• We take out the power cord from the outlet or device.
• We wait 15 seconds.
• Reconnect the power cord.
• We wait another 5 seconds, after which we turn on the Mac in the usual way by pressing the power button.

Rearranging RAM

This method is suitable for those Mac devices where the RAM can be replaced, and it is not soldered on the motherboard, as is now done on most models. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

To fix the problem where your MacBook won't boot after an update, you can use Boot in Safe Mode. Thus, you can identify various software errors in the system. In this mode, the kernel of the system is loaded with important functions.

When the device is booted in safe mode, the file system is checked for errors, and they are eliminated whenever possible. Therefore, booting your Mac into Safe Mode and then performing a graceful soft restart may resolve the issue.

To boot your Mac in Safe Mode, press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard when you turn on your computer until the boot progress bar appears. In Safe Mode, the boot time of macOS takes significantly longer than the standard boot of the system.

Your Mac may not boot due to a problem with the hard drive. The easiest way to check your hard drive is to use Disk Utility.

First, turn off the device. To start Disk Utility, you need to go to OS X recovery mode. When you turn on the device, hold down the Command + R keys.

If all is well, you will be taken to the MAC OS X Utilities screen like the screenshot below. There you need to click on "Disk Utility", then click on the name of the built-in hard drive, which is located on the left side of the screen and start the verification process by selecting Verify Disk on the bottom right of the screen. We are waiting for the verification to complete.

Increase

If any faults are found, you will be prompted to correct them. To confirm your intentions, click on "Repair Disk". Then restart the MacBook again.

If suddenly, whatever you do, the MacBook does not turn on, you do not need to rush to the service center. It is quite possible to try to "reanimate" him at home - typical problems are known and it is quite easy to fix them. The only exceptions are mechanical damage and flooding with any liquid, be it simple water, chemical liquid, alcohol or sweet drink.

Another reason to immediately contact the service is the smell of burning and cotton.

Most often, the charger and the power connector, the controller, are affected, less often - a short circuit and a system error. The most rare but severe case is a crack in the motherboard or hard drive.

Avoiding Display Malfunction

First of all, you need to check the screen - perhaps the computer itself is in order, but there is a problem with the display.

How you can check it:

• fan and disk noise are heard when the power button is pressed;
• after pressing the power button, you can hear the OS boot melody;
• if there are on / sleep indicators, they are lit with the corresponding light;
• if you press Caps Lock, the corresponding indicator will light up.

In this case, you need to check the operation of the display in accordance with the instructions on the Apple website, or contact a service center.

Power problems

Much more often it happens that the MacBook has stopped turning on due to power problems.

If the computer does not turn on, then here is a simple check algorithm that you need to perform:

• Is the computer plugged into a power outlet? is the socket working properly? it's easy to check.
• Are the power cord and adapter connected? usual forgetfulness and loose connection can be the reason for the lack of charge;
• is everything ok with the power cord? if you have a spare or analog charger, it makes sense to try charging your mac with it;
• Are there any accessories (printer, storage device, phone) connected to the computer? turn them off and try pressing the power button again;
• after pressing the power button, hold it for 10 seconds and then press it again.

If these simple steps did not help, you will have to understand in more detail why the computer does not work.

no power

Most often, the problem is very simple and consists precisely in nutrition. Failure of the socket, uninterruptible power supply, "pilot" happens most often.

To check this, it is enough to connect a known working device to them, and it is best to simply reboot the uninterruptible power supply. If you are using an extension cord, it makes sense to try plugging the power cord directly into an outlet.

It is also worth remembering that overuse of extension cords, tees, surge protectors and additional blocks increases the load on the home power grid and can provoke a short circuit.

Charging does not work

Sometimes the reason lies in the charger. Kinks and pinches caused by strong bending or crushing of the cord, for example by a door, render the power cord unusable. The most vulnerable spots: folds of the cord, connection to the adapter, at the plug.

If, upon visual inspection, everything is intact, it is worth trying to clean the connector from dust and at the same time check the integrity of the connector itself: bending or falling out of the plug means a complete malfunction of the power cord. It didn't help either - it's time to change the charger or to a service center, there is definitely an opportunity to diagnose the cause of the breakdown.

The battery is out of order

If the computer is already several years old, it may not turn on due to the exhaustion of the battery. It usually has an indicator that should light up while charging - with a fully working charge, it makes sense to check this.

By the way, there are prerequisites for a battery breakdown - a too fast discharge recently, a discrepancy between the charge indicator data and the real operating time, and so on. In this case, the Mac can only be repaired by replacing the used battery.

Video: Apple MacBook does not work

Resetting parameters

A special memory or controller error can also prevent the Mac from turning on. The fix is ​​simple, just a keyboard shortcut and a reboot.

System Management Controller (SMC)

Sometimes the system control controller is to blame for the refusal to work, you can correct the situation by resetting its parameters. To do this, while the power cord is connected, you must simultaneously press the combination "Shift" + "Control" + "Option" and the "Power" button. Release all buttons at the same time.

In this case, the lamp on the adapter either stays on without blinking, or turns off - this is normal. After this restart, you can turn on the computer.

PRAM and NVRAM (whatevertheyare)

A dedicated section of PRAM / NVRAM can also create a power-on-incompatible error.

What to do then?

1. press the "power" button;
2. press and hold the "command" + "option" + "p" + "r" buttons until the gray screen turns on;
3. hold the buttons for the entire reboot and until the mac again emits a boot melody;
4. release the buttons.

Power Manager

If an error occurs during power up (unsafe shutdown, emergency shutdown, short circuit), Power Manager, which prevents the Mac from turning on, can also be restarted.

• first take out the battery;
• press the "power" button;
• wait a couple of seconds, release;
• insert the battery back;
• press the "Power" button again. The computer should start downloading.

Other reasons

There are many reasons why the MacBook does not turn on. This can be damage to the power circuit, and the soldering of the board, or simply that it clogged with dust and overheated. Even an improper shutdown can make subsequent startup nearly impossible. But it's usually much easier.

Separately, it should be said about the boot error after the update - in this case, the MacBook turns on, but only until the gray screen or the loading screen that does not end.

MacBook does not turn on after update

If the computer has not been updated for a long time, and then had to install fresh upgrades on the old version of the OS, the MacBook may not turn on or turn on, but not boot.

Photo: gray screen with "perpetual" loading

In this case, it is best to boot into Safe Mode - just turn on your Mac while holding down the Shift button. Did not work out? Then you will have to format the data using a special utility, instructions for using it can be found on the official Apple website.

MacBook overheated

If the computer is already several years old or it is hot outside, then it is not surprising that it refuses to turn on. Most likely, it has overheated.

If the computer is new, just let it cool down. In no case should you apply cold objects to it or put it in a cold room for this, this can provoke the appearance of microcracks in the boards due to temperature differences. After a couple of hours at room temperature, you can try restarting it.

If it is at least a year old, it makes sense to take care of cleaning it. You can do this yourself, if you have the necessary skills, or at a service center. But, while the computer is under warranty, it can only be disassembled in the warranty service, otherwise free service will be impossible. Routine cleaning to prevent such problems is carried out at least once a year.

There are connected devices

An abundance of connected devices can be powered by the Mac's battery, preventing it from turning on. These are smartphones, tablets, external hard drives, flash drives, external Bluetooth modules, webcam, printers and other accessories.

Also, errors in their work are possible, affecting the launch. It's easy to check - turn off all unnecessary and start the computer.

Making a forced reboot

If the computer shows at least some signs of life, you can try to forcibly restart it.

To do this, when connecting the Magsafe power supply, you need to:

1. press shiftt + control + option / alt + power.
2. if it is an old mac then use the combination "control" + "enter".

Video: MacBook Repair

Defective north or south bridge

If the MacBook overheats regularly, then it may not turn on due to damage to the bridge - this is the controller on the motherboard. There are two of them, they are connected to the board by buses, and the northern one is also directly connected to the processor. Damage to any of them requires a mandatory call to the service.

Only specialist diagnostics and replacement of the affected part will help here.

RAM module incorrectly installed

If there was an upgrade to the OP before the problem, then the module may have been installed incorrectly. To check this, just pull it out and insert it again, referring to the instructions. Did not help? Then return the old module as the new one may be faulty or incompatible. After such a replacement, the Mac should turn on.

The reason that the MacBook does not turn on can be many problems. It is best to find out what preceded the breakdown: unsafe shutdown, complete discharge, overheating, physical breakdown, or flooding.

Even if everything was outwardly normal, it is better to ask your family or colleagues if they have touched the computer, if there has been a blackout, or a strange smell. Depending on this, different methods of restoring work are used.

The only exception is mechanical damage and liquid ingress.

In this case, you should not try to solve the problem yourself, but it is best to remove the battery and take your Mac to a service center as soon as possible. Sometimes repairs may not be required - routine cleaning may well return the MacBook to working order.

Let's not talk about Apple's reliability for the 100th time. Everything breaks down.

But this case is strange, almost paranormal - at least, it seems so when it happens to you.

Given: new MacBook in excellent condition and without repair. Sit, work behind him. Suddenly once - he turned off. Without warning, the screen went out and the power went out.

You try to turn it on, but it doesn't respond at all. No way. Long press on the power button, connect the charging cable, change the charger. Just zero reaction.

Do not rush to go to the service just yet. And in general, do not rush. Perhaps this problem can be solved right now.

I faced Mac suddenly shutting down 2 times in 1 week

I believe in randomness, so I think I was just "lucky." But any of you can be in this place.

A week ago, a colleague of mine experienced the above issue on his MacBook Pro. The computer just turned off out of the blue and no longer showed any signs of life. I tried different chargers, cables, open and close the lid. Useless.

A few days later, the situation repeated itself with me and the 12-inch MacBook. Only the circumstances are different.

I didn't have a sudden shutdown. The MacBook had 2% battery remaining when it went out. I didn't think anything bad, put it in my bag and forgot it. In the evening I put it on charge.

I open it in the morning, try to turn it on - zero reaction.

The laptop just seemed completely dead. It's a strange feeling - there was just a computer, and now a piece of metal with buttons. And it seems that you are not to blame.

If you experience something like this, do not despair: most likely, the matter is in the failure of the SMC controller.

What is an SMC controller, why is it needed?

Literally, SMC stands for System Management Controller, that is, system management controller.

This is a chip on the motherboard that performs several specific tasks. Quoting Apple's official website, SMC is responsible for:

• reaction to pressing the power button
• reaction to opening and closing the display lid on Mac laptops
• battery resource management
• temperature control
• the operation of the sudden movement sensor (SMS)
• ambient light sensor operation
• keyboard backlight
• status indicator control
• battery status indicators
• Select an external (instead of internal) video source for individual iMac displays.

SMCs are found on all Intel-based MacBooks. Under ideal operating conditions, they function without problems.

But for some, SMC may start to get stupid. The reason not to guess and diagnose at home. These can be problems after an unsuccessful update or restoring the system from a backup, or power surges when recharging the battery. Or something else.

If it is extremely difficult to determine the cause of the failure of the SMC controller, then you will notice the problems themselves almost immediately.

Referring again to the official Apple website for a list of situations requiring a reset of the SMC controller:

• The computer fans spin at high speeds, although the computer is not heavily loaded and ventilated properly.
• The keyboard backlight is not working properly.
• Status light (if present) is not lit properly.
• The battery lights (if present) do not work correctly on Mac notebooks with a non-removable battery.
• The display backlight does not respond correctly to changes in ambient light.
• My Mac doesn't respond when I press the power button.
• The Mac notebook does not respond correctly to closing or opening the lid.
• Your Mac suddenly goes to sleep or shuts down and cannot be turned on.
• The battery is not charging properly.
• Your MacBook or MacBook Pro won't charge through the built-in USB-C port.
• MacBook or MacBook Pro does not recognize external devices connected to its built-in USB-C port.
• The MagSafe power adapter LED (if equipped) does not correctly display the current charging status.
• Your Mac is unusually slow despite not being overly CPU intensive.
• A Mac that supports Target Display Mode does not switch to Target Display Mode or back as expected, or switches unexpectedly.
• The lighting around the I / O ports on a Mac Pro (Late 2013) does not turn on when the computer is moved.

Okay, huh? Reading this entire list makes you want to immediately reset the SMC settings on your Mac, no matter how it works. Suddenly it gets better.

Fortunately, the SMC reset procedure is safe, non-negative, and is often used by Apple service centers as a first step in resolving owner complaints. No data or settings will be lost. All files will be in place.

As you might guess, it was the SMC reset that helped my colleague and me revive our MacBooks. Only the procedure was not as simple as it was described on the Apple website.

How do I reset SMC on my Mac?

If you have a MacBook with a non-removable battery: turn off your MacBook (if it is on), hold down the CMD (command) + Option (alt) + Shift keys on the left side of the keyboard, and the power button with your other hand. Keep it all pressed for 10 seconds, then release. Turn on your Mac as usual.

If your MacBook has a removable battery: throw it out, it's time to upgrade. Okay, seriously, you need to turn off the beech, remove the battery from it, hold down the power button for five seconds, then release it, insert the battery pack back and turn on the laptop in a normal way.

If you have a desktop Mac, iMac, and Mac mini: turn it off, take out the power cable, wait 15 seconds. Insert the cable back. Wait another 5 seconds, turn it on as usual.

If you have an iMac Pro: turn off, hold down the power button for 8 seconds, release it for 2 seconds and then just press.

Mac computers do not report that the SMC settings have actually been reset. If your problem persists, although it is mentioned in the reasons for resetting, try again. Once again.

Damn it, try ten times. Because for some unknown reason, it rarely happens the first time.

Personally, about the sixth attempt brought me success. The Mac suddenly turned on, started charging, and generally behaved as if nothing terrible had happened.

What if resetting the SMC didn't work and the Mac still won't turn on?

I highly recommend trying to reset the SMC at least five times. This observation is confirmed by numerous topics in Western forums. For some reason, the keyboard shortcut window is very small in newer MacBooks.

Many of you have probably heard that Apple's operating system is famous for its reliability and low number of errors and failures that occur during operation. However, Mac OS, unfortunately, is not perfect and one day it may just not boot up for no reason.

Without a doubt, this behavior of your Mac can be caused by a number of different errors, which need to be eliminated in different ways, but the author of this article has recently been increasingly faced with a situation where MacBook won't boot after next operating system update(Mac OS Sierra in this particular case) and emits three loud squeaks at the same time repeating at regular intervals.

Unfortunately, this can happen to each of us, and there is often no time to contact the service center and, of course, not cheap. Fortunately, there is an easy way to try before taking your Mac somewhere. Judging by the reviews on foreign forums, he helped many to save money on contacting the service, more than once he helped such a "hint" and the author of this article. We will talk about him. So what if your MacBook won't turn on?

Manifesting an error while booting a Mac

As mentioned above, a computer can behave in a similar way due to a number of different errors (at least 4, judging by the help on the Apple website).

However, in our case, the sequence of actions and symptoms of the patient looks like this:

1. you have installed an update for the Mac OS operating system (or the computer installed it itself, if you have auto-update enabled);
2. when you turn on (reboot) your MacBook, instead of the expected operating system boot bar, you saw only a black (well, slightly gray, the side illumination of the monitor still turns on) screen;
3. Looking at this "light black" screen, you hear three long beep-beep-beep sounds repeated every 5 seconds.

Having carefully studied the official Apple website, we find the symptoms and a description of our error:

"Three consecutive beeps, repeated with a five-second pause: the main memory has not passed the data integrity check."

Okay, okay, this is a RAM error on our MacBook. But the officials somehow forgot to offer a solution. But we found it, and it turned out to be as easy as shelling pears. Of course, it's not a fact that this method will help you 100%, but it's worth a try, because many have it works.

By the way, judging by the discussions on foreign forums, the following MacBook models most often give this error and do not turn on: MacBook Air a1466, MacBook Pro a1278 and a1260. It is from the first that we write this article.

The solution to the problem is to reset the SMC parameters

So if your MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro won't turn on and beeps- this signals an error related to random access memory (RAM), which can most often be resolved by resetting the system management controller (SMC) parameters.

Depending on which device you have, follow one of the algorithms below.

If you have a MacBook with a non-removable battery

And these are the majority of modern models, then the algorithm of actions for you is as follows:

If you have a MacBook with a removable battery

Although such, in my opinion, have not been produced for a long time, but just in case - we act as follows:

If you have an iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro

That is, one of the stationary computers from Apple, then it is even easier to reset the system management controller (SMC) parameters:

If you use the appropriate method for your Mac, you will most likely see the familiar Mac OS boot window - this means that the problem has been resolved.

What does an SMC reset affect

If you are not very well versed in computers or are simply faced with such a procedure for the first time, then before doing the steps described above, a completely reasonable question may arise: "Will I lose important data or settings on my MacBook as a result of a reset, because this procedure is somewhat similar to "hard reset" on some gadgets? "

We hasten to reassure you - no, you will not lose anything important. If you are really interested, then take a look at the list of functions for which the system management controller (SMC) is responsible, the parameters of which we reset:

• reaction to pressing the power button;
• reaction to opening and closing the display lid on Mac notebooks;
• battery resource management;
• temperature control;
• sudden movement sensor;
• ambient light sensor;
• keyboard backlight;
• status indicator control;
• battery status indicators;
• Select an external (instead of internal) video source for individual iMac displays.

Alternative option - swap the RAM

If the above option did not help and your MacBook still does not start, then you should try an alternative method. However, it is not suitable for any Mac computer, but only for those whose RAM can be replaced, and not soldered to the motherboard (as is done in most modern Mac models).

If you have one of these computers, then this option may well help you, you just need to know how to get to the RAM slot. The algorithm of actions is very simple:

That's all. Now you know what to try first if your Mac won't start and beep. We hope that one of the above options will help you solve this problem and save a significant amount of money on contacting the service center.