If the Apple logo appears but the MacBook never reaches the login screen, macOS started loading but got stuck. Common causes include an interrupted update, file-system problem, startup disk issue, or damaged system files.
This guide applies to Apple Silicon and Intel MacBooks on recent macOS versions.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if the progress bar stalls, the Mac restarts back to the Apple logo, or startup never finishes.
Force Restart and Wait
- Hold the power or Touch ID button for about 10 seconds until the screen goes black.
- Wait 10 seconds.
- Press power once to start again.
- Let the Apple logo sit for up to 15 to 20 minutes, especially after a macOS update.
- If it starts, check Software Update to confirm the update completed.
- If it hangs again, continue to Safe Mode.
Start in Safe Mode
- Shut down fully or force power off.
- On Apple Silicon, hold power for startup options, choose the startup disk, then hold Shift and click Continue in Safe Mode.
- On Intel, turn on the Mac and immediately hold Shift until the login screen appears.
- Expect Safe Mode to take longer because it runs checks and disables nonessential software.
- If Safe Mode works, restart normally and test.
- If Safe Mode also hangs, continue to Recovery.
Repair Disk or Reinstall macOS
- Enter macOS Recovery: power-button startup options on Apple Silicon, or Command + R on Intel.
- Open Disk Utility.
- Select Macintosh HD or the startup volume.
- Run First Aid.
- Restart and test.
- If First Aid cannot repair the disk or startup still hangs, return to Recovery and choose Reinstall macOS.
- Do not erase the disk unless you intentionally want to wipe data.
More Boot Loop Notes
Intel NVRAM Reset
On Intel Macs, Option + Command + P + R can clear stored startup settings. Apple Silicon handles this automatically.
External Startup Disk
Booting from an external installer or drive can show whether the Mac hardware works and the internal disk data is the problem.
Update Clue
If the loop started right after an update, reinstalling macOS often reapplies the system cleanly over existing data.
SSD Failure
If Disk Utility cannot see or repair the startup disk, the SSD or storage controller may need service.
Sources
- Apple Support: If your Mac does not finish starting up
- Apple Support: Use Disk Utility to repair a storage device on Mac
- Apple Support: Reinstall macOS