MacBook folder with question mark issue

Question

Level 1

8 points

MacBook folder with question mark issue

Hey!

I was wondering if anyone would help me with a problem I am currently having with my 2017 15” MacBook Pro (version 10.14.3).

What happens is that the folder with a question mark logo is flashing when I turn on the computer, and I haven’t been able to fix it yet.

I’ve tried:

Entering recovery mode, and selecting mackintosh HD as my startup disk, but it didn’t work (it did load until where I type my password, but It later restarted again and the logo reappeared)
Going into recovery mode, and reinstall the macOS, but it also didn’t work (the download would begin but the MacBook will later restart again)
Resetting my NVRAM
applying first aid to the ssd, but it just got stuck in “ref. Tree” for a while and later on restarted again.

Im all ears for any suggestions you guys might have, and I will be trying anything you guys recommend I do. :)

MacBook

Posted on Mar 19, 2019 4:05 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

WordWeaver777

Level 4

1,159 points

Mar 19, 2019 4:40 PM in response to bautimar

I apologize. My mistake. I should have realized from your previous comments that you would not be able to install EtreCheck.

Going by your results thus far, it really sounds like you need to wipe your hard drive in Disk Utility, and then do a clean install while in Recovery Mode. Unless you have a bootable backup drive with all of your important files on it though, that could be a problem for you.

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 19, 2019 4:17 PM in response to bautimar

It might be helpful if you install EtreCheck, save its system report for your machine, and share it here so that others can get a clearer idea regarding what might be going on with your machine.

If even reinstalling the OS doesn't resolve your issue, that is indeed problematic. Did you install on top of your current OS, or did you erase the disk and do a clean install?

What about resetting the SMC?

I hope the above helps. Let me know. Thanks!

Reply

Answer 3

bautimar Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 19, 2019 4:28 PM in response to WordWeaver777

Hey! I don’t know if I will be able to download EtreCheck because I’m not even able to get into the computer, because every time I try to log in it restarts the computer and the folder logo comes back up. Is there any other way to download that or must I be able to get into the computer?

as to the download of the os, I was trying to download it on top of my current os, but I was never capable of finishing it, because every time I tried, it said “approximately 10 minutes remaining”, but it restarted and again, that annoying folder icon came back.

I haven’t tried to reset the SMC, so I will be doing that now!.

Im sorry if my first post wasn’t so clear, and I hope this may have cleared some things!. Thank you for your help!

Reply

Answer 4

Mar 19, 2019 4:57 PM in response to bautimar

Sorry you may be forced to take that route. I know what it is like to lose important stuff due to situations like this. That is why it is so important to invest in at least one or two backup drives, and then use Time Machine, Carbon Copy Cloner or some other app to dutifully back up our files every single day. It's a hard lesson learned when we don't.

Reply

Answer 5

bautimar Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 19, 2019 4:51 PM in response to WordWeaver777

What a bummer!. Don’t worry and thank you for your help!. I will try and see if I will be able to recover some files, but if not I guess I will have to wipe my hard drive :)

Reply

MacBook folder with question mark issue

Similar questions