You press the power button on your MacBook and nothing happens. Is the button broken, or does the MacBook simply not turn on? That is an important difference. On newer MacBooks the power button is also the Touch ID sensor, which changes the repair. This article explains how to find out whether the button is to blame, how to turn the MacBook on anyway and how a broken button is repaired.
Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam, including when the power button or Touch ID no longer works.
The button or the MacBook?
- Close the lid and open it again. Most MacBooks from 2018 turn on by themselves when you open the lid.
- Connect the charger. Many MacBooks also turn on as soon as you connect power.
- Check whether the keyboard or screen responds if it is asleep.
If the MacBook turns on in one of these ways, it works and the button is probably to blame. If it does not turn on in any way, read MacBook will not turn on.
The button feels different
- The button no longer clicks, feels soft or is stuck.
- It only works if you press very hard or at an angle.
- There is dirt or stickiness around it, for example after a spilled drink.
Gently clean the edge of the button with a slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Do not use spray.
Touch ID does not work, the button does
Then it is a different problem: the fingerprint sensor itself or the settings. Read Touch ID not working.
Without the button: how to get by
- Turning on: open the lid or connect the charger.
- Shutting down: via the Apple menu, Shut Down.
- Locking: Control + Command + Q, or via the Apple menu.
- Logging in: with your password instead of Touch ID.
The tricky part is that a force restart and opening startup options on a Mac with an Apple chip need the button. See shutting down, restarting and sleep.
After water damage
A drink running over the keyboard often reaches the button at the top right. Then the button can stick or the contact underneath can corrode. Turn the MacBook off immediately and have it checked. See liquid spilled.
An external Touch ID button
If the button does not work and you still want to log in with your fingerprint, a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID can help. It works with Macs with an Apple chip. It does not fix the broken button itself, but it is a handy stopgap if you work at a desk a lot. Logging in with your password always remains possible. Note: after a restart macOS always asks for your password first, even when Touch ID works.
How is the button repaired?
On MacBooks with Touch ID the button is paired with the logic board, for security. A new button works as a power button, but Touch ID only works once the button is paired with the logic board. That is why we first try to repair the original button or its cable. On older MacBooks without Touch ID the button is part of the keyboard.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
We test whether it is the button, the cable, the keyboard or the logic board, and tell you beforehand what the repair costs. More on our page about MacBook will not turn on.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my MacBook without a working power button?
Yes, with the lid and the charger. But restarting after a freeze becomes difficult.
Why does my MacBook turn on when I open the lid?
That is normal on MacBooks from around 2018.
Does Touch ID keep working after a repair?
If the original button goes back in, yes. A new button needs to be paired.
