MacBook Air will not start up. Screen shows only the cursor and is movable. Keyboard is backlit

connected power

MacBook Air (M2, 2023)

Posted on Dec 31, 2023 10:09 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 31, 2023 10:39 AM

Hi there


Please try this


  1. Press and hold the power button on your Mac for about 10 seconds.* If your Mac is turned on, this turns it off.
  2. Press and release the power button and see if your Mac starts up.
  3. If your screen remains blank, press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds again to make sure that your Mac is turned off.
  4. Try to start up from macOS Recovery, then use Disk Utility in macOS Recovery to repair your startup disk. For details, see How to repair a Mac disk with Disk Utility.
    • If Disk Utility finds no errors, reinstall macOS.
    • If Disk Utility finds errors and repairs them, restart your Mac. If the issue returns after restarting, reinstall macOS.
  1. If you can't start up from macOS Recovery, your Mac might not be turning on at all. In that case, follow the steps for if your Mac doesn't turn on.
  2. If you're using an external display instead of a built-in display, make sure that the issue isn't with your external display

If the issue continues or you need help with any of these instructions, contact Apple Support.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 31, 2023 10:39 AM in response to Bluehornets61

Hi there


Please try this


  1. Press and hold the power button on your Mac for about 10 seconds.* If your Mac is turned on, this turns it off.
  2. Press and release the power button and see if your Mac starts up.
  3. If your screen remains blank, press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds again to make sure that your Mac is turned off.
  4. Try to start up from macOS Recovery, then use Disk Utility in macOS Recovery to repair your startup disk. For details, see How to repair a Mac disk with Disk Utility.
    • If Disk Utility finds no errors, reinstall macOS.
    • If Disk Utility finds errors and repairs them, restart your Mac. If the issue returns after restarting, reinstall macOS.
  1. If you can't start up from macOS Recovery, your Mac might not be turning on at all. In that case, follow the steps for if your Mac doesn't turn on.
  2. If you're using an external display instead of a built-in display, make sure that the issue isn't with your external display

If the issue continues or you need help with any of these instructions, contact Apple Support.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

MacBook Air will not start up. Screen shows only the cursor and is movable. Keyboard is backlit

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