MacBook Pro can't find startup disk--but only sometimes

Question

MacBook Pro can't find startup disk--but only sometimes

Most of the time my MacBook Pro (2017, no touch bar, Big Sur) works just fine, but when I move it from place to place it sometimes then won't start up and gives me the error screen with a folder with a question mark inside it. I then have to reboot it a bunch of times, and I end up moving it around and jiggling it (go ahead and scold me), and then it works again.

I know that error means that it can't find a disk to start up with. The fact that this only happens sometimes makes me think it's a hardware issue, but I can't be sure. I tried the recommended fixes (e.g. resetting NVRAM) but am stuck. It also occasionally happens when I haven't moved the Mac. It's only shut down once or twice while I've been using it, but sometimes when it goes to sleep it, it won't come back on.

Does anybody know what might be going on?

Here is a problem report from one of the many times it's shut down:

Problem Report

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Oct 28, 2021 4:15 PM

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Answer 1

kamote0628

Community Specialist

Oct 29, 2021 4:30 PM in response to thenotoriouseig

Hi thenotoriouseig, We appreciate you reaching out to us. We understand that your device will intermittently startup to a folder with a question mark.

We also understand that you've already performed some steps, like resetting the NVRAM.

Have you had the chance to try the rest of the steps in the article below? If your Mac starts up to a question mark

If yes and the issue persists every time you move the device, we recommend that you reach out to us here so we can take a closer look into the issue: Get Support

Take care!

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MacBook Pro can't find startup disk--but only sometimes

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