How to install macOS on a Mac that won't turn on?
Aug 01, 2025 am 03:43 AM
If the Mac cannot be turned on, you can try the following methods to install macOS: 1. First check whether the power supply, charging cable and adapter are normal; 2. Try to reset the SMC; 3. Use macOS Recovery (Command R) to reinstall the system; 4. Use Internet Recovery (Option Command R) to install it remotely; 5. Use another Mac to create a bootable USB drive and install it. If all are invalid, it may be a hardware failure and needs to be sent for repair.
If your Mac won't turn on and you need to install macOS, there are a few methods you can try depending on what's actually wrong. A Mac that doesn't power on could be due to a dead battery, hardware failure, or a corrupted system preventing it from booting normally. If the hardware is still functional, though, you may be able to install macOS using recovery tools or an external drive.
Check the basics first
Before jumping into advanced steps, make sure the issue isn't something simple:
- Check the power source — Make sure the charger is plugged in properly and the outlet works.
- Try a different cable or adapter — Sometimes the MagSafe or USB-C cable might be faulty.
- Look for signs of life — Any lights, fan noise, or screen flickers? These can hint at whether power is reaching the logic board.
- Reset SMC (System Management Controller) — This helps with power-related issues. The method varies by Mac model, so look up instructions specific to yours.
If the Mac still won't start at all, it might be a hardware problem. But if it powers on but doesn't fully boot, keep going.
Use macOS Recovery to reinstall the OS
If your Mac turns on but doesn't boot up properly, you can often reinstall macOS using macOS Recovery :
- Turn on your Mac and immediately hold down Command R keys until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.
- Once in Recovery Mode, you'll get a utility window with options like “Reinstall macOS,” “Disk Utility,” and “Terminal.”
- Use Disk Utility to check or erase your startup disk if needed.
- Then choose “Reinstall macOS” and follow the on-screen instructions.
Note: This requires that your Mac can at least reach the Recovery environment. If it doesn't respond when holding Command R, move to the next option.
Try Internet Recovery for a remote install
If your Mac can't access local Recovery Mode, Internet Recovery might work. It loads recovery tools from Apple's servers instead of your drive:
- Connect your Mac to power and make sure it's connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Option Command R .
- Keep holding those keys until you see a spinning globe and a progress bar — this may take a while.
- Once loaded, you'll get the same Recovery tools as before: Disk Utility, Reinstall macOS, etc.
This method works even if your internal drive is completely wiped or damaged, as long as the firmware is intact and the machine can power on.
Use an external macOS installer if needed
If neither Recovery Mode works, another option is to create a bootable macOS installer on a USB flash drive using another Mac:
- Get a USB drive with at least 16GB of storage.
- Download the macOS installer from the App Store (like Monterey, Ventura, or Sonoma).
- Open Terminal and use the
createinstallmediacommand to make the USB bootable (you can find exact commands online based on macOS version). - Plug the USB into the affected Mac and turn it on while holding the Option key .
- Select the USB drive as the boot device and proceed with installation.
This method gives you full control and works even if the internal drive has no working OS.
If none of these methods work and your Mac still won't show any sign of life, it might be a hardware issue like a failed logic board or power component. In that case, getting it checked at an Apple Store or authorized repair shop would be the next step.
But if it does respond to one of these methods, you should be able to reinstall macOS and get back up and running.
The above is the detailed content of How to install macOS on a Mac that won't turn on?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
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