Freezing Loading Bar Upon Booting

Issue/Question

What should I do when a Mac has a frozen progress bar when first booted up?

Environment

  • Mac OS 10.10+

Cause

A Mac that had a recent power event of some kind (loss of power, hard shutdown etc) can experience this issue, resulting in the progress bar beneath the Apple logo freezing and not progressing to the login screen. An SMC reset is also a possible solution to other power related issues that an NVRAM reset does not fix.

Resolution

Mac Laptops with Non-Removable Battery

Mac notebook computers that have a battery you should not remove include: MacBook Pro (Early 2009) and later, all models of MacBook Air, MacBook (Late 2009), and MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015).

  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Plug in the MagSafe or USB-C power adapter to a power source and to your computer.
  3. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift + Control + Option keys and the power button at the same time for 10 seconds.
  4. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
  5. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

Note: On MagSafe power adapters, the LED might change states or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC.

Mac Laptops with Removable Battery

Older MacBook and MacBook Pro computers have removable batteries.

  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Disconnect the MagSafe power adapter from the computer if it's connected.
  3. Remove the battery.
  4. Press and hold the power button for five seconds.
  5. Release the power button
  6. Reconnect the battery and MagSafe power adapter.
  7. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

Mac Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, and Xserve

  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Unplug the power cord.
  3. Wait fifteen seconds.
  4. Attach the power cord.
  5. Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.

 

If an SMC reset does not fix the issue please contact the ITS Service Desk.

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