Mac · Repair guide

How to fix a Mac stuck on the Apple logo

8 fixes, easiest first5 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

If a macOS update is installing, give it time, even overnight. Otherwise, hold the power button for up to 10 seconds to turn the Mac off, unplug all accessories, and turn it on again; if it still sticks, repair the disk with Disk Utility in macOS Recovery.

What it means

When a Mac starts, it shows the Apple logo and a progress bar while it loads macOS from its startup disk. If it stays on that screen for a long time or keeps restarting, something is stopping macOS from loading, such as an update still installing, a connected accessory, disk errors or damaged system software. Most cases can be fixed without losing your files.

Common causes

  • A macOS update or upgrade that is still installing
  • A connected accessory or its cable, such as a printer, drive or USB hub
  • Errors on the startup disk
  • Login items or other software that loads at startup
  • Damaged macOS system files
  • A hardware problem

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01If a macOS update is installing, give it timeEasy

  1. If you started a macOS update or upgrade, the Apple logo and progress bar can stay up much longer than usual.
  2. The bar may move slowly or stop for long periods, and the screen may go blank and come back a few times. This is normal during an update.
  3. Keep the Mac plugged into power and leave it alone. If it is late, let it run overnight.
  4. Only move on to the next fix if nothing has changed after several hours.

Why it helps: Turning a Mac off in the middle of an update can cause more problems than waiting.

02Force the Mac off and turn it back onEasy

  1. Press and hold the power button for up to 10 seconds, until the Mac turns off. On a MacBook with Touch ID, press and hold Touch ID.
  2. Wait a few seconds.
  3. Press the power button once to turn the Mac back on.
  4. Watch whether it gets past the Apple logo to the login window.

Why it helps: A fresh start often clears a one-off hang during startup.

03Unplug all accessoriesEasy

  1. Turn the Mac off with the power button.
  2. Disconnect everything you don't need to start up, such as printers, external drives, USB hubs, docks and adapters.
  3. Keep only the power cable, and on a desktop Mac the keyboard, mouse and display.
  4. Turn the Mac on. If it starts normally, plug devices back in one at a time to find the one causing the problem.

Why it helps: Apple notes that a connected device or its cable can stop a Mac from finishing startup.

04Start up in safe modeMedium

  1. Turn the Mac off first: press and hold the power button for up to 10 seconds.
  2. Apple silicon Mac: press and hold the power button until you see Loading startup options. Select your startup disk (usually Macintosh HD), press and hold Shift, then click Continue in Safe Mode.
  3. Intel Mac: turn the Mac on and immediately press and hold Shift. Let go when the login window appears.
  4. Log in. You should see red Safe Boot text in the top-right corner of the login window, and you may need to log in twice.
  5. Safe mode checks the startup disk, clears some caches and stops extra software from loading. Restart normally from the Apple menu and see if the problem is gone.
  6. If the Mac starts in safe mode but not normally, remove recently added apps or login items in System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions.

Why it helps: If the Mac gets past the logo in safe mode, the cause is usually software that loads at startup.

05Repair the startup disk with Disk UtilityMedium

  1. Turn the Mac off first: press and hold the power button for up to 10 seconds.
  2. Apple silicon Mac: press and hold the power button until you see Loading startup options, then click Options and Continue.
  3. Intel Mac: press the power button, then immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R until you see an Apple logo or a spinning globe.
  4. If asked, choose your disk and a user, then enter that user's password.
  5. In the Recovery window, select Disk Utility and click Continue. Choose View > Show All Devices if you can.
  6. Select the last volume listed under your startup disk (often Macintosh HD - Data), click First Aid, then Run. If a button is dimmed, skip that item.
  7. Repeat for each item above it in the sidebar, up to the disk itself. Then quit Disk Utility and choose Apple menu > Restart.

Why it helps: Disk errors are a common reason a Mac cannot finish loading macOS.

06Run Apple DiagnosticsMedium

  1. Shut down and disconnect everything except the keyboard, mouse, display and power.
  2. Apple silicon Mac: press and hold the power button (or Touch ID) until you see Options, let go, then press and hold Command (⌘)-D until the Mac restarts.
  3. Intel Mac: turn the Mac on and immediately press and hold D. If that doesn't work, use Option (⌥)-D. Let go when you see a progress bar or a language choice.
  4. Follow the onscreen instructions. Write down any reference code shown, as Apple or a repair shop will ask for it.

Why it helps: It checks whether a hardware problem is stopping the Mac from starting.

07If you have an Intel Mac, reset NVRAM and the SMCMediumResets settings

  1. Skip this on an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or later): Apple says these resets don't apply and aren't needed.
  2. NVRAM: shut down, turn the Mac on and immediately press and hold Option, Command, P and R together for about 20 seconds, then let go. Some settings such as sound volume may need setting again.
  3. SMC on a desktop Mac: shut down, unplug the power cord for 15 seconds, plug it back in, wait 5 seconds, then turn it on.
  4. SMC on a laptop with the Apple T2 chip: shut down, hold the left Control, left Option and right Shift keys for 7 seconds, then also hold the power button for another 7 seconds. Let go, wait a few seconds and turn it on.
  5. SMC on a laptop without the T2 chip: shut down, hold the left Shift, Control and Option keys plus the power button for 10 seconds, let go, then turn it on.

Why it helps: On Intel Macs these resets clear stored settings and power management that can affect startup.

08Reinstall macOS from macOS RecoveryAdvanced

  1. Apple says reinstalling macOS does not remove your apps or personal files, but back up first if you can.
  2. Start up in macOS Recovery the same way as for Disk Utility above.
  3. Select the option to reinstall macOS, click Continue and follow the onscreen steps. Use Wi-Fi or Ethernet when asked.
  4. If asked to pick a disk, choose Macintosh HD, not Macintosh HD - Data. If asked to unlock the disk, enter your Mac login password.
  5. Keep the Mac plugged in with the lid open. It may restart several times and the screen may stay blank for minutes.
  6. Do not choose to erase the disk unless Apple or a repair shop tells you to: erasing deletes all your files.

Why it helps: A fresh copy of macOS replaces damaged system files while keeping your data.

Check it's fixed

  • The Mac gets past the Apple logo to the login window or desktop.
  • It starts normally several times in a row, including with your accessories plugged back in.
  • Disk Utility First Aid reports no errors.

When to get help

If the Mac is still stuck after reinstalling macOS, or Apple Diagnostics shows a reference code, contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Don't erase the disk if you have files you haven't backed up.

Questions

How long should a Mac stay on the Apple logo during an update?

It can take much longer than a normal startup, and the bar may pause for long stretches. Apple suggests starting updates in the evening so they can run overnight if needed.

Will reinstalling macOS delete my files?

No. Reinstalling macOS from Recovery keeps your apps and personal files. Erasing the disk is a different step and does delete everything.

Is my Mac Apple silicon or Intel?

If you can get to the desktop, choose Apple menu > About This Mac. A Mac with Apple silicon lists a chip such as M1, M2 or later; an Intel Mac lists an Intel processor.

My Mac shows a question mark or a circle with a line through it instead. Is that the same problem?

No. Those symbols mean the Mac can't find or can't use its startup disk, which needs different steps from Apple Support.

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