Troubleshooting · MacBook
MacBook troubleshooting
Common problems we see on refurbished MacBooks and what to try first.
Asks for someone else’s Apple ID (Find My Mac)
If macOS prompts for a previous owner’s Apple ID during setup, that’s on us — Find My Mac wasn’t fully cleared. Don’t try to bypass it.
Email [email protected] with your order number. We can remove the lock remotely or arrange a free return.
Won’t boot, or stuck on the Apple logo
- Hold the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black. Wait a few seconds, then press once to start.
- If it’s still stuck, boot into Safe Mode:
- Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4): hold the power button until startup options appear, then hold Shift while clicking your disk.
- Intel: hold Shift immediately after pressing the power button.
- If Safe Mode boots successfully, restart normally — often the issue is a stuck startup app.
- If Safe Mode also fails, contact us under warranty.
Wi-Fi keeps dropping
- Turn Wi-Fi off and on from the menu bar.
- Forget the network: System Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) next to the network → Forget, then rejoin.
- Delete the Wi-Fi network preferences: System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Details → TCP/IP → Renew DHCP Lease.
- Restart the router.
Fast battery drain
Open System Settings → Battery → Battery Usage to see what’s drained the most. Usual culprits:
- Browser tabs (especially with video or heavy ads)
- Spotlight indexing after a big import (settles within a day)
- Backup software (Time Machine, Backblaze) doing first backup
- Always-on screen brightness — drop it a few notches
Heads up
If your MacBook is losing 5%+ per hour with nothing running and the lid closed, that’s not normal. Check cycle count (see Battery Health article) and get in touch.
Won’t charge
- Try a different USB-C / MagSafe cable. Cable damage is the most common cause.
- Try a different USB-C port (some MacBooks have multiple).
- Reset the SMC (Intel Macs only) — Apple’s site has the key combo for your model. Not applicable to Apple Silicon Macs.
- If it still won’t charge from a known-good cable and adapter, contact us under warranty.
Still stuck?
Hit Chat to support on the right — our team will be back to you the same working day.
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