Fix: Mac Mini Not Booting or Starting Up

Apple’s Mac devices are considered one of the best and productivity-specific computers throughout the world. Apple produces its Mac computers with the best-in-class hardware and software. macOS is the official OS for Mac devices and Apple has fine-tuned it so much that an older CPU can also outperform just because of the software. Also, some of the Apple-specific software plays a significant role in providing an overall better user experience. Apple also launches a newer version of its macOS every year with newer features and security updates. Recently Apple launched its latest macOS Ventura with more stability and new features.

Well, even if Mac devices are considered the best, they have some issues too. A popular Mac device among users is the Mac Mini. The Mac Mini is considered to be the most value-for-money apple product with all the required features that a user needs, but without a display. Yes, you read it right, as many of you might not know, the Mac Mini is more of a mini computer-like device that required other input and output devices that are to be connected in order to use the device.

Recently an issue with the Mac Mini devices has been reported that causes the device not to boot up. A lot of users have complained about this issue on different social media platforms and forums. But, as you have guessed, the problem is pretty common and is solvable. You just have to follow the steps given below to overcome the issue easily.

Mac Mini Not Booting Up: Possible Reasons

There can be various reasons that can cause your Mac Mini to not boot up. As Mac Mini requires external I/O devices to work, there might be issues with those devices. There might also be issues with macOS. There might even be issues with the power cable or the motherboard itself. There are a plethora of reasons that can stop a Mac Mini to boot up. Also, in different chipsets, like in Intel Mac Mini and Apple M1 Mac Mini, the underlying issue may be different. We will discuss all the possibilities and solutions so you as a user will be able to fix it without any difficulties.

Fix 2: Boot your Mac Mini into Safe Mode

Safe Mode, as the name suggests, is a safer way of turning on a computer that disables all the third-party software so that a user can peek through the possible issues that might be caused by third-party software. Safe Mode also allows to use some of the extra features that are sometimes required to follow in order to fix an issue. Well, if you think that your Mac Mini is not turning on because of some third-party software, here is how to boot into Safe Mode and check for any possible errors:

For Apple Silicon Mac Mini (M1)

Press the power button and continue to hold it until you see the startup options. Now you have to choose the startup disk. Select Macintosh HD and then press and hold Shift and then click Continue in Safe Mode. Once booted, the text Safe Boot will be shown in the top right of the menu bar.

For Intel Mac Mini

In Intel Macs, it’s pretty easy to boot into safe mode. After pressing the power button, press and hold the Shift button and wait for your Mac to boot up.

If Safe Booting doesn’t help your Mac Mini to boot up, there might be some other issues that your device is facing.

Fix 3: Check if your Monitor is working or not

Yes, this can also be an issue with Mac Minis. As Mac Minis do not have a bundled display, they always rely upon an external monitor. A monitor failure can also lead to a black screen of death. Here are some troubleshooting methods that you can try:

Check the power supply of your Monitor.
Check the connection between your Mac Mini and Monitor.
If you are using a dongle, try removing that and checking if something is happening.
Remove all the cables and insert them again.
In the worst case, try with a different monitor and check if it’s working for you or not.

These were some troubleshooting methods that you should perform at least once before moving to the next solution. Also, if you have an HP monitor, you can refer to this solution.

Fix 4: Run Disk Utility and check for errors

Recovery Mode on Mac devices come in quite handy when we face a few different types of errors. It can help you reinstall macOS, downgrade to an older version, etc. Disk Utility is one of the options from Recovery Mode that helps you check for any possible errors in the Macintosh HD. It is like the Disk Checking of Windows that we face quite often. Here’s how to get into Disk Utility in different Mac Mini:

For Apple Silicon Macs

Press the power button and continue to hold it. Eventually, the Recovery Mode Page will appear.

For Intel Macs

First, hold the Command + R button on your external keyboard and press the power button. Hold the Command + R button until the Recover page appears.

How to Perform Disk Checking in Mac Mini?

Once you are on the Recovery Page, select the Disk Utility and click on continue.
Now you have to select your Disk Drive (Macintosh HD).
Once selected, click on First Aid from the Menu Bar.
A new popup will appear with either a success or a failure message.
If there is any error, there will be a Repair Disk process.
After the process will be over, you might be able to log in to your computer like before.

Fix 5: Reset your Mac’s SMC

A System Management Controller, popularly known as SMC can solve various power-related issues, and even some hardware-related issues sometimes. It has the duty of controlling different hardware-related tasks like charging, video output, LEDs, etc. Resetting the SMC on your Intel-based Mac Mini (as SMC is not available in M1 macs) can help you overcome all the issues at once. Here’s how to do it:

Unplug your Mac Mini.
Now hold the power button for 5 seconds.
Plug the Mac Mini back and turn on the switch.
Try to turn on your Mac Mini.

Once your SMC is reset, all the hardware-related tasks are also reset and it can help in reviving your Mac Mini.

Fix 6: Reinstall macOS

If any of the solutions didn’t help you, the last and final option you have is to reinstall macOS on your Mac Mini. You can even downgrade to the previous version that your Mac was running on. However, we will only be talking about the macOS reinstallation below. This is an easy task that is even easier than the abovementioned solutions. Here’s how to do it:

As we have already discussed booting into Recovery Mode, please follow the guidelines for your Mac Mini variant and boot into Recovery Mode.
Once you are in the Recovery Mode, select Reinstall macOS and click on Continue.
If it asks for your password, enter that and follow the onscreen instructions.
On the other hand, if it asks for the Installation Disk, select Macintosh HD and follow the instructions.

Final Thoughts

We have tried to provide all the possible solutions for the problem that are caused by different issues. If you have followed the solutions thoroughly, you will be able to log onto your system again without any problems. However, if these solutions do not help you, it is obvious that you might have an hardware issue or some other issue that can’t be fixed by yourself only. In this case, you will have to visit your nearest Apple Service Centre and get your Mac Mini diagnosed.

Fix: Mac Mini Not Booting or Starting Up

Mac Mini Not Booting Up: Possible Reasons

How to Fix Mac Mini Not Booting Up?

Fix 1: Check if your Mac Mini is Plugged in or not