How to Fix MacBook Folder with Question Mark

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Does your Mac flash a folder with a question mark as soon as you turn it on? Generally, this folder stays on for a few seconds (up to a minute), and the Mac will boot up as usual in a while. This shouldn’t concern you unless you face this issue occasionally. Those unlucky users might still be unable to boot up their Mac.

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How Do I Fix This Issue?

A folder with a question mark denotes the Mac OS is unable to boot because a bootable volume cannot be found. To resolve this issue, you can load up the Recovery Mode and select the appropriate startup disk. If no startup disk is displayed, use the First Aid to attempt repairing your disk. If the issue continues to occur, you might want to reset the NVRAM. Let us discuss all the solutions one by one in the sequence you should follow them.

 

Method 1: Select Startup Disk

  1. Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
  2. Now click on the Startup Disk.
  3. Click the lock in the bottom and enter your password to unlock it.
  4. Select your Macintosh HD startup disk icon, and click Restart.

 

Method 2: Use Recovery Mode

  1. Press and hold the Power key until your Macbook shuts down.
  2. Wait for a few seconds and turn on the machine again.
  3. Press the Command + R keys simultaneously.
  4. Your Macbook will now display the Apple logo, and you will be prompted to enter the administrator password to login to the firmware.
  5. Mac should start into Recovery Mode. If you’re prompted to connect to a Wi-Fi network, connect to your Wi-Fi.
  6. Click the Apple menu, followed by Startup Disk.
  7. Select your startup disk by clicking the Macintosh HD icon.
  8. Click on Restart.

 

Method 3: Initiate Disk Repair

  1. Select macOS Utilities in the Recovery Mode.
  2. Select Disk Utility | Macintosh HD startup disk.
  3. Click the First Aid tab, and then click Repair Disk.
  4. The repair process should begin. Patiently wait for it to conclude.

 

Method 4: Reset Non-Volatile RAM

  1. Shutdown and start your Mac again.
  2. Press the Option + Command + P + R keys together, and continue to press these keys for the next 30 seconds.
  3. During this time your Mac will automatically reboot itself. On the second consecutive reboot release these keys as soon as your Mac displays the Apple logo or plays the startup sound.
  4. Once your Mac has booted up, you might notice that some important system settings relating to appearance, sound and date-time have been changed. You can set the optimum screen resolution, date-time settings and volume as earlier.

Note: Using the Option + Command + P + R key combinations may not work if your firmware is protected with a password. In such a case, you will need to first disable the firmware protection feature as follows:

  1. Restart your Mac.
  2. Press and hold the Command + R keys simultaneously.
  3. Release the keys when a lock icon appears on the screen.
  4. Enter your firmware password to log-in.
  5. Click the Utilities menu, and select Firmware Password Utility.
  6. Click Turn Off Firmware Password, and enter your firmware password.
  7. Now click the Apple menu, and then select Restart to reboot your Mac once again.
Raza Ali Kazmi
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Raza Ali Kazmi works as an editor and technology content writer at Sorcim Technologies (Pvt) Ltd. He loves to pen down articles on a wide array of technology related topics and has also been diligently testing software solutions on Windows & Mac platforms. If you have any question about the content, you can message me or the company's support team.