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I tried the reset and I'm still getting the flashing question mark

I did the reset with option, command, p and r, and I'm still getting the flashing question mark. What do I do now?

MacBook Air

Posted on Jul 13, 2022 3:34 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 13, 2022 6:03 PM

..diholgui..


A routine instruction path has specific things to attempt; and IF where not a success

others need to be worked through; at least to a point of whether Hardware or Software

could be determined the cause. Hardware takes different path than Software to resolve.


If your Mac starts up to a question mark - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/HT204323


"..A folder with a flashing question mark means that your startup disk is

no longer available or doesn't contain a working Mac operating system."


Some of newer instructions cover Apple Silicon hardware. Otherwise

the information may have to be interpreted ~ as though for Intel-mac.

IF the question mark appears only briefly, before your Mac starts up normally:

  1. Reset NVRAM.
  2. Make sure that your preferred startup disk is selected in Startup Disk preferences.

IF the question mark is persistent:

If the question mark stays on your screen, and your Mac does not start up normally:


1] Press and hold the power button on your Mac for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off.

(Every Mac has a power button. On notebook computers that have Touch ID, press and hold Touch ID.)

2] Use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk. (Follow the steps for a Mac with an Intel processor.)

3] If Disk Utility found no errors or repaired all errors, reinstall macOS.

4] If you still need help, please contact Apple Support.


Apple Support links may show both Silicon, and Intel-based instructions, where they may differ.


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 13, 2022 6:03 PM in response to diholgui

..diholgui..


A routine instruction path has specific things to attempt; and IF where not a success

others need to be worked through; at least to a point of whether Hardware or Software

could be determined the cause. Hardware takes different path than Software to resolve.


If your Mac starts up to a question mark - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/HT204323


"..A folder with a flashing question mark means that your startup disk is

no longer available or doesn't contain a working Mac operating system."


Some of newer instructions cover Apple Silicon hardware. Otherwise

the information may have to be interpreted ~ as though for Intel-mac.

IF the question mark appears only briefly, before your Mac starts up normally:

  1. Reset NVRAM.
  2. Make sure that your preferred startup disk is selected in Startup Disk preferences.

IF the question mark is persistent:

If the question mark stays on your screen, and your Mac does not start up normally:


1] Press and hold the power button on your Mac for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off.

(Every Mac has a power button. On notebook computers that have Touch ID, press and hold Touch ID.)

2] Use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk. (Follow the steps for a Mac with an Intel processor.)

3] If Disk Utility found no errors or repaired all errors, reinstall macOS.

4] If you still need help, please contact Apple Support.


Apple Support links may show both Silicon, and Intel-based instructions, where they may differ.


Jul 13, 2022 3:46 PM in response to diholgui

Follow these steps, testing after each step:


If that didn’t help, then I recommend service.


Service Checklist:



Click ▶︎ Start a Service Request. ⚛️



Need more help?



Click ▶︎ Check Repair Status. 🔧

I tried the reset and I'm still getting the flashing question mark

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