kd1010

Q: Why did my MacBook screen turn black and start beeping three times?

When I was in the middle of using my computer, the screen turned black and began to beep three times then pause then beep three times continuously. About 15 minutes earlier it had shut down and when it turned back on a screen came up that said "your computer restarted because of a problem" and did not indicate what the problem was. I am not sure what to do and have not tried turning it on since then. I am studying abroad right now and will not be home for another month so I do not have access to an Apple Store. Please help!!

MacBook Pro

Posted on Apr 13, 2016 11:09 PM

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Q: Why did my MacBook screen turn black and start beeping three times?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by ManSinha,

    ManSinha ManSinha Apr 13, 2016 11:11 PM in response to kd1010
    Level 6 (10,250 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 13, 2016 11:11 PM in response to kd1010

    Try to turn it on and hold the Cmd + R keys and see if you can start it in Safe Mode

  • by GhonaZ,

    GhonaZ GhonaZ Apr 14, 2016 2:59 AM in response to kd1010
    Level 2 (433 points)
    Windows Software
    Apr 14, 2016 2:59 AM in response to kd1010

    3 beeps are indicative of a ram failure.

    Have you changed your RAM sticks or anything recently?

    what happens if you turn it back on? do you keep getting the 3 beeps or does the machine sometimes start up normally?

     

    You can do a apple hardware test to see if it detects anything wrong with your RAM. Using Apple Hardware Test - Apple Support

    If the hardware test can't detect anything the problem may be gone (or it may remain undetected by the apple hardware test)

    However, back up all your important stuff to prevent any data loss.

    If the problem persists:

    Depending on the model that you have you can acces the RAM sticks and take them out. if your model is before 2013 this is the case. You can take out one of the RAM modules and see if the machine boots. also try this with the other RAM module. you can then verify if the problem is in one of the ram modules.

     

    Hope this helps!

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 14, 2016 4:06 AM in response to kd1010
    Level 9 (52,516 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 14, 2016 4:06 AM in response to kd1010

    Based on your description, your MBP had a kernel panic, probably due to a RAM problem.  Log and post it here per these instructions:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201753

     

    Ciao.