MacBook won't turn on
MacBook is dead, no chime, no screen, no fan, no response to power button
In short: A MacBook that won't power on can be anything from a flat battery to a failed logic board. Most cases are recoverable. We diagnose at no fault-finding cost beyond the £75 diagnostic fee, which is deducted from any subsequent repair.
What’s happening
Several common causes, ordered roughly by frequency:
- Flat or failed battery, combined with a charger that isn’t delivering power. The MacBook needs some minimum charge to boot. Try a different USB-C charger and cable, leave it plugged in for at least 30 minutes before retrying.
- SMC (System Management Controller) needs resetting. Apple silicon MacBooks: simply hold the power button for 10+ seconds, release, then press once. Intel MacBooks: there’s a specific SMC reset sequence per model.
- Logic board fault. Caused by liquid damage (which may have happened months ago and only now caused failure), a failed component on the board, or a power-delivery issue.
- Failed display. The MacBook is actually running but the screen isn’t lighting up. Listen for a startup chime or fan noise; shine a torch at the screen to see if there’s a very faint image.
What to do first
Try the obvious. Different charger. Different cable. Long press the power button (10+ seconds) to force a power cycle. Leave plugged in overnight.
If none of that works, bring it in. We diagnose at the logic-board level and tell you whether it’s economical to repair.
What we do
Workshop diagnostic with a known-good charger, voltage probe on the logic board, and inspection for any liquid damage signs or visible component failure. We can usually tell you within 30 minutes of opening the MacBook whether it’s a recoverable repair or not.
Most “won’t turn on” MacBooks are recoverable, often for less than the cost of a replacement. The exception is severe liquid damage caught late, where the corrosion has spread across the board.
How we quote
We don’t publish fixed prices for “won’t turn on” repairs because the underlying cause varies enormously. The £75 diagnostic fee covers a proper assessment. If the repair is economical we provide a written quote before any work starts. If it isn’t, you pay only the diagnostic and we’ll quote on data recovery from the failed machine instead.
Sound like your Mac?
Bring it in or call. We diagnose at workshop or onsite, with an honest assessment before any work starts.