Find the power button on your MacBook, iMac or Mac mini

Why it happens

MacBooks don't have a separate switch on the side, so the top-right key does the job, and on newer models it also reads your fingerprint. Desktop Macs have a small round button on the computer itself rather than on the keyboard. It's easy to miss because it's flush with the case.

How to fix it

1. On a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, open the lid. Recent models start up as soon as you lift it or plug in the charger.

2. If the screen stays dark, press the top-right key on the keyboard once. That's the Touch ID button, and it's also the power button. A quick press is enough.

3. On an iMac, reach round the back. The button is near the bottom, on the left side as you face the screen.

4. On a Mac mini from 2024 or later, the button is on the underside, near a back corner. Older Mac mini models and Mac Studio have it on the back.

5. Wait for the Apple logo or the login screen. On a desktop Mac, check that the display is switched on and its cable is plugged in.

Still not fixed?

1. If nothing happens, plug in the charger that came with your Mac, leave it for 15 to 30 minutes, then press the power button again. A completely flat battery needs some charge before it will start.

2. Still dark? Hold the power button for about 10 seconds, let go, then press it once more. This turns off a Mac that's on but stuck on a black screen.

3. On a desktop Mac, try a different power socket and make sure the power cable is pushed firmly into the back of the computer.

4. If your Mac still won't start after all of this, contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. The battery, charger or another hardware part may need repair.