Mac Mini Cannot Load At Startup

[ugadawgs311]

My Mac Mini will not load past the Apple Logo startup screen. The white progress bar is completely full, but nothing else happens. I've tried restarting multiple times, uninstalling the RAM and reinstalling, removing all power cords, removing all USB connections, etc., but nothing has worked.

Since it's a Mini without a wired keyboard, I'm unable to start in Safe Mode. Any tips here? Thanks!

 

[rm5]

My Mac Mini will not load past the Apple Logo startup screen. The white progress bar is completely full, but nothing else happens. I've tried restarting multiple times, uninstalling the RAM and reinstalling, removing all power cords, removing all USB connections, etc., but nothing has worked.

Since it's a Mini without a wired keyboard, I'm unable to start in Safe Mode. Any tips here? Thanks!

Well a wired keyboard (or a good wireless one) is kinda your only option at this point, because it sounds like you might need to reinstall macOS and/or reset PRAM/NVRAM (if it's an Intel Mac)

 

[ugadawgs311]

Well a wired keyboard (or a good wireless one) is kinda your only option at this point, because it sounds like you might need to reinstall macOS and/or reset PRAM/NVRAM (if it's an Intel Mac)

That’s what I was thinking too. Once I get a wired keyboard, is the best option to try to start in safe mode?

I have a couple wireless keyboards, but I’m not sure if those will connect…

 

[rm5]

That’s what I was thinking too. Once I get a wired keyboard, is the best option to try to start in safe mode?

I have a couple wireless keyboards, but I’m not sure if those will connect…

Yes. Try starting up in Safe Mode when you figure out your keyboard.

 

[fisherking]

do you have an apple keyboard? you can plug that into usb and it will work for startup options (ie resetting nvram, or safe mode).

which mini is this?

EDIT: i have a satechi keyboard, but bought a basic apple wireless one cheap on ebay, just for those moments i need to do things like safe mode...)

 

[chrfr]

That’s what I was thinking too. Once I get a wired keyboard, is the best option to try to start in safe mode?

I have a couple wireless keyboards, but I’m not sure if those will connect…

Do you have an Apple Silicon (M1/M2) or Intel Mac mini?

 

[ugadawgs311]

do you have an apple keyboard? you can plug that into usb and it will work for startup options (ie resetting nvram, or safe mode).

which mini is this?

EDIT: i have a satechi keyboard, but bought a basic apple wireless one cheap on ebay, just for those moments i need to do things like safe mode...)

I have a wireless/Bluetooth Apple keyboard. Do you think that will work, or will it need to load up first in order to turn on Bluetooth?

EDIT: this is a mid-2012 Mac Mini... she's barely hanging on haha

 

[fisherking]

I have a wireless/Bluetooth Apple keyboard. Do you think that will work, or will it need to load up first in order to turn on Bluetooth?

again, which mini is this? if it's an intel mac, try this: plug into usb, reboot, hold the shift key... boot should take longer,
you would get to the finder with "safe boot' in red letters upper right. no need to turn bluetooth off, the keyboard should be seen by usb.

or try resetting the nvram: reboot, hold command-option-P-R thru 2 chimes (or for about 15 seconds).

google 'safe boot' or 'reset nvram' if you want more info.

or just.... call apple, they will help 👍

 

[ugadawgs311]

again, which mini is this? if it's an intel mac, try this: plug into usb, reboot, hold the shift key... boot should take longer,
you would get to the finder with "safe boot' in red letters upper right. no need to turn bluetooth off, the keyboard should be seen by usb.

or try resetting the nvram: reboot, hold command-option-P-R thru 2 chimes (or for about 15 seconds).

google 'safe boot' or 'reset nvram' if you want more info.

or just.... call apple, they will help 👍

Sorry, didn't see your question till after I posted... this is a mid-2012 Mac Mini... she's barely hanging on haha.

When you say "plug into usb," what are you referring to? It's an old Bluetooth keyboard, so there's no usb dongle to plug in. It would have to be somehow stored in the Mini's memory I guess to be able to "see" the keyboard.

 

[fisherking]

Sorry, didn't see your question till after I posted... this is a mid-2012 Mac Mini... she's barely hanging on haha.

When you say "plug into usb," what are you referring to? It's an old Bluetooth keyboard, so there's no usb dongle to plug in. It would have to be somehow stored in the Mini's memory I guess to be able to "see" the keyboard.

not familiar with the older apple BT keyboards (i come from a life of macbooks). there's no usb charging, it has actual batteries?

you can look on amazon or ebay, find an older usb apple keyboard. but if i were you, i'd call apple, see what they can suggest...

 

[ugadawgs311]

not familiar with the older apple BT keyboards (i come from a life of macbooks). there's no usb charging, it has actual batteries?

you can look on amazon or ebay, find an older usb apple keyboard. but if i were you, i'd call apple, see what they can suggest...

No USB charging here, there are actual batteries ha.

Would any USB keyboard work? I have a few of those lying around, but I thought the keyboard would have needed to be set up with the Mini first so that it would recognize it when powered on.

 

[for this]

I tested using an Apple Wireless Keyboard (the one that uses 2 AA batteries), late 2012 i5 Mini, Mojave, no wired keyboard connected.

When you hear the boot chime, immediately press the shift key. The Mac will do safe boot.

The preferable USB keyboards are Apple USB keyboards. Although other brands should work but it may have some setbacks. For example, only modifier keys on one side may work as startup keys. I have an Apple ADB keyboard connected through an iMate ADB to USB adapter. Only the Option key on the left works to boot into Startup Manager. And while both Shift keys work to boot into Safe Boot in OS X, none of them can boot OS 9 with Extensions Off [update: OK, found the cause for the shift key not working to boot with extensions off in OS 9, it conflicts with my USB Wacom], I have to use an Apple USB keyboard for that. The iMate may have something to do with the issue.

Would any USB keyboard work? I have a few of those lying around, but I thought the keyboard would have needed to be set up with the Mini first so that it would recognize it when powered on.

No biggie, once you plug it in, you will be automatically asked to press some keys (probably the Shift keys) to identify the keyboard layout.

 

[fisherking]

i think it's always worth it to have an usb apple keyboard (newer bluetooth ones do work over usb) for 'emergency' startup moments....

 

[ugadawgs311]

i think it's always worth it to have an usb apple keyboard (newer bluetooth ones do work over usb) for 'emergency' startup moments....

Do you mean a wired USB keyboard or wireless? I have a few wireless USB keyboards that I plan to try, but unfortunately none of them are Apple keyboards.

 

[for this]

I have a wireless/Bluetooth Apple keyboard. Do you think that will work, or will it need to load up first in order to turn on Bluetooth?

It will work and as I've said I use it occasionally to perform boot options.

This explains why it works.

How to manage OS X boot options with wireless keyboards

If you have a Bluetooth keyboard, OS X may ignore keystrokes at startup for booting into Safe mode and other optional boot environments.

www.cnet.com

"Apple's Bluetooth hardware controllers activate after all of the system's self-tests at boot complete and the EFI firmware loads successfully, which is indicated by the system playing the standard Mac startup sound. It is at this point that the system will accept boot variables, either stored in the PRAM or those being sent via keyboard inputs."

(Some boot arguments command lines at the end of the article no longer work in newer macOS due to new security restrictions, though)

The setback of a bluetooth keyboard is you have a short window of time to press the startup key(s), which is when you hear the boot chime. Pressing it too soon or too late and it will not be registered.

With a wired keyboard, I can start pressing the key even before I click the restart button and it will work.

 

[ugadawgs311]

Ok, just tried the wireless, Bluetooth, Apple keyboard and nothing happened. I pressed and held the shift key as soon as the startup sound started. Progress bar just continued to load as normal and will eventually get stuck at 100% full.

I guess my next option is a wired keyboard off Amazon or eBay.

 

[DeltaMac]

Is that wireless Apple keyboard working? Check for fresh batteries on an older one, or make sure the batteries are charged on a newer keyboard.
Can you try an NVRAM reset with that bluetooth keyboard?
Power off the mini.
Press and release the power button on the mini- and immediately press and hold Option-Command-P & R.
You should hear a boot chime. Keep holding the same 4 keys until you hear the boot chime 2 more times, then release all keys, going to the shift key. You do want to hold the left shift key now.
Success (?)
If the reset also does not work (try this a couple of times), then you would continue looking for a wired USB.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Do you have a USB keyboard?
If so, why don't you just plug it in and TRY IT?

I'd do the same with EVERY KEYBOARD you can get your hands on right now.

 

[ugadawgs311]

I tried now on a Bluetooth, Apple keyboard and a wireless USB Windows keyboard. Neither worked. No safe mode startup, just the normal Apple logo and white progress bar.

I guess I’ll have to get a wired USB keyboard next.

Edit: maybe something like this: Macally Full Size USB Wired Keyboard for Mac and PC - Plug & Play Wired Computer Keyboard - Compatible Apple Keyboard with 15 Shortcut Keys for Easy Controls & Navigation of Macbook Pro/Air, iMac https://a.co/d/iH4XiJ7

 

[fisherking]

I tried now on a Bluetooth, Apple keyboard and a wireless USB Windows keyboard. Neither worked. No safe mode startup, just the normal Apple logo and white progress bar.

I guess I’ll have to get a wired USB keyboard next.

Edit: maybe something like this: Macally Full Size USB Wired Keyboard for Mac and PC - Plug & Play Wired Computer Keyboard - Compatible Apple Keyboard with 15 Shortcut Keys for Easy Controls & Navigation of Macbook Pro/Air, iMac https://a.co/d/iH4XiJ7

get an APPLE wired keyboard. but again, i have a current apple bluetooth keyboard; plugging it in to usb works for startup needs. a macally keyboard is not an apple keyboard...

 

[ugadawgs311]

get an APPLE wired keyboard. but again, i have a current apple bluetooth keyboard; plugging it in to usb works for startup needs. a macally keyboard is not an apple keyboard...

I was really trying to avoid the $100 price tag for an Apple keyboard when there are plenty other cheaper options, but if an Apple brand is the only thing that’ll work, that may be my only option.

 

[jdblas69]

I tried now on a Bluetooth, Apple keyboard and a wireless USB Windows keyboard. Neither worked. No safe mode startup, just the normal Apple logo and white progress bar.

I guess I’ll have to get a wired USB keyboard next.

Edit: maybe something like this: Macally Full Size USB Wired Keyboard for Mac and PC - Plug & Play Wired Computer Keyboard - Compatible Apple Keyboard with 15 Shortcut Keys for Easy Controls & Navigation of Macbook Pro/Air, iMac https://a.co/d/iH4XiJ7

Any USB wired keyboard should work. Whenever I need to boot up and use some keyboard commands. I just plug in one of my windows USB keyboards I have kicking around and never had a problem.

 

[fisherking]

I was really trying to avoid the $100 price tag for an Apple keyboard when there are plenty other cheaper options, but if an Apple brand is the only thing that’ll work, that may be my only option.

you can find refurbished apple keyboards on ebay, amazon.... i bought a recent model on amazon (i only need it for startup troubleshooting etc)

 

[for this]

I tried now on a Bluetooth, Apple keyboard and a wireless USB Windows keyboard. Neither worked. No safe mode startup, just the normal Apple logo and white progress bar.

The Mac might have already started to boot into Safe Mode but somehow it stopped.

In newer macOSes' Safe Mode booting, you won't see or know it is Safe Mode until you reach the log in screen. The word "Safe Boot" in red will appear in the monitor's upper right corner. If you set it to log in automatically before, the log in screen (with the red Safe Boot) will still appear when you boot in Safe Mode.



I mean while you're waiting for your wired keyboard. You can test if your wireless keyboards work or not by doing other boot options such as PRAM reset. If you hear the second boot chime, then it works.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Pick up a used Macally keyboard.
Something like this will be "all you need":

Macally iKey Apple Macintosh Mac USB Keyboard Blue Clear 104 Keys 2x USB Ports | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Macally iKey Apple Macintosh Mac USB Keyboard Blue Clear 104 Keys 2x USB Ports at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Hmmm... the guy who put up this ad wants $30 for shipping.
I'd look at some OTHER ads...

Do you have a GoodWill or thrift shop anywhere near?
Might be able to find an old USB keyboard for $5-10...