Macbook won't start after SMC reset

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Level 1

6 points

Macbook won't start after SMC reset

Hello everyone,

I have a 2017 macbook Pro, without touch bar.

I was experiencing some "freezing" episodes every time the computer went to sleep while having about 30% battery charge or less (such problems would never happen at full charge).

As the battery passed the 800 cycles, I thought that that's where the problem was and replaced it in a repair shop. However the problem persisted. So I decided to reset the SMC. This made everything worse.

The macbook won't start anymore, showing the question mark image and the fan is on at maximum speed at all time. So I tried to reset the NVRAM and PRAM. Nothing changed.

Therefore, I tried to access the recovery mode, but the macbook would automatically go into the Internet recovery made, without the possibility of choosing the pre-installed MacOs recovery.

Once the internet recovery is done, the apple logo appears and it seems to be loading. However, once the loading is completed, the question mark appears again, instead of actually starting.

My question is, why did this happen? I don't think that resetting SMC, NVRAM and PRAM are supposed to do this? Could it be linked to the battery being not original?

Thank you all in advance

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.3

Posted on May 16, 2022 3:01 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

ku4hx

Level 7

23,592 points

May 16, 2022 5:49 AM in response to Ales-sio

My suggestion is you take it back to the repair shop and ask them to make it right. 800 cycles is a pretty big number, but the deciding factor is battery health. There is seldom a need to replace the battery until it drops to 80% capacity. You can of course replace it any time you wish.

If the repair shop was not Apple certified and used a non Apple supplied battery, this problem is not surprising. 3rd party batteries are substandard to those Apple supplies.

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Answer 2

May 16, 2022 5:56 AM in response to Ales-sio

Ales-sio wrote:

Hello everyone,

I have a 2017 macbook Pro, without touch bar.

I was experiencing some "freezing" episodes every time the computer went to sleep while having about 30% battery charge or less (such problems would never happen at full charge).

As the battery passed the 800 cycles, I thought that that's where the problem was and replaced it in a repair shop. However the problem persisted. So I decided to reset the SMC. This made everything worse.

The macbook won't start anymore, showing the question mark image and the fan is on at maximum speed at all time. So I tried to reset the NVRAM and PRAM. Nothing changed.

Therefore, I tried to access the recovery mode, but the macbook would automatically go into the Internet recovery made, without the possibility of choosing the pre-installed MacOs recovery.

Once the internet recovery is done, the apple logo appears and it seems to be loading. However, once the loading is completed, the question mark appears again, instead of actually starting.

My question is, why did this happen? I don't think that resetting SMC, NVRAM and PRAM are supposed to do this? Could it be linked to the battery being not original?

Thank you all in advance

Try resetting the SMC How to reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

Try resetting NVRAM/PRAM Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

(get at least two-three rounds of the chimes when holding the NRAM Reset)

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Outside the USA

https://locate.apple.com/country

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Answer 3

Ales-sio Author

Level 1

6 points

May 17, 2022 2:53 AM in response to Ales-sio

UPDATE

The repair shop has removed and reinstall the battery and now the computer is working fine again, without having to re-install anything. I asked if this would happened again if resetting the SMC again. I was simply advised to don't reset the SMC and that, if this happens again, it means that there is a problem with MacOs and should be re-installed.

My theory is that, as the battery is not original and the SMC contains information about the battery, the computer freaks out when having to re-write information about a battery that does't recognise. Therefore I get the fun on at full speed and a computer that doesn't turn on because the SMC can't be re-written correctly, due to an unrecognised piece of hardware.

Does any of this make sense or are just crazy ideas? Haha. Apologies for my lack of technical knowledge and terms. Hopefully you still understand what I mean.

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Macbook won't start after SMC reset

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