How to Resolve the Issue of a Mac Flashing a Folder with a Question Mark on Startup? [Works for macOS 13/12/11]

If you encounter a Mac flashing folder with a question mark, it signifies that your Mac is unable to find the startup disk and therefore cannot boot the macOS. Below is a quick navigation to six solutions for this error.

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A blinking folder with question mark Mac is undoubtedly one of the most distressing issues you can encounter. This symbol indicates that your Mac is unable to identify its startup disk or has no designated startup disk, preventing it from booting up. This issue might occur if your hard drive fails or you start your Mac from an external disk and subsequently disconnect it.

Possible Causes for Mac Folder with Question Mark Flashing: 1. Missing System Volume: The flashing question mark on a folder icon indicates that your Mac cannot find the startup disk or the necessary system files to boot up. 2. Corrupted Startup Disk: The startup disk might have become corrupted due to a software issue, virus attack, or unexpected shutdown. 3. Incorrect Boot Order: Your Mac might be attempting to boot from an incorrect or non-existent volume if the boot order in the BIOS/EFI settings is not set properly. 4. Unmounted Volume: The primary drive could be unmounted or disconnected during the boot process, causing the flashing folder with a question mark. 5. Damaged File System: The file system (HFS+, APFS) on the startup disk might be damaged, preventing the Mac from reading essential system files. 6. Incompatible Hardware or Software: Installing incompatible hardware or software updates can lead to this issue. 7. Firmware or Kernel Panic: A firmware or kernel panic error can cause the Mac to fail to start up properly, displaying the flashing folder. 8. Third-Party Boot Managers: If you're using third-party boot managers like rEFInd or Clover, issues with these tools can result in the flashing folder. 9. macOS Update Issues: An interrupted or failed macOS update can leave your system in an inconsistent state, causing this problem. 10. Physical Damage: Damage to the hard drive or SSD, such as broken connections or internal damage, can lead to the flashing folder. To resolve this issue, try booting from a macOS installer, using Disk Utility to repair the disk, or restoring from a backup. If the problem persists, professional assistance may be required.

There are numerous potential causes behind the Mac folder with a question mark issue. This error typically occurs when the Mac is unable to locate its boot drive. Here are a few reasons why you might encounter this problem:

• The hard drive/disk has failed
• The macOS has become corrupted
• The file system has sustained damage

These elements can all be categorized under hardware- or software-related issues. The remedy can vary from simple to complex, depending on the root cause of the Mac question mark folder problem.

Recover Data from Unbootable Mac with Question Folder

When a MacBook displays a question mark folder on its screen or encounters other issues with MacOS not booting, there is a risk of data loss or corruption. Forcing the device to restart could result in the loss of your files and data.

The first priority is data recovery, which can prevent irreversible data loss during Mac repair when it fails to boot normally. To accomplish this, you can utilize data recovery software such as the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac or similar tools. These software allow you to create a bootable disk and recover your data after restarting your system.

The steps below will guide you through booting your Mac and recovering your data using the tool Data Recovery for Mac.

First, you need to enter Recovery Mode on your Mac:

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Step 1. Launch the Tools Software in Recovery Mode

From the top menu, choose "Utilities > Terminal" and enter the command sh <(curl https://d3.tools.com/mac/boot.sh). Press "Return". Wait for the application to open, which may take a few minutes.

Note: If the Terminal shows "No such file or directory" or "Could not resolve host," please check that you have typed the command correctly, make sure your Mac has a stable internet connection, and confirm that your macOS version is not below macOS 10.15.

Step 2. Select the Volume on Your Mac Hard Drive

Choose the volume where your missing data is stored and click "Search for Lost Files." The tool's software will promptly locate all recoverable data on the selected volume.

Step 3. Select the Lost Data You Want

The tools software categorizes the scanned recoverable data by file type and storage path. To locate the desired data, click on "Type" or "Path" in the left panel. Afterwards, select the checkboxes in front of the data you wish to recover.

Step 4. Recover and Save Data on an External Disk This step involves retrieving your lost or damaged data and saving it onto an external hard drive. Here's how you can do it: 1. **Connect the External Disk**: Plug in your external hard drive into your computer using a USB cable or other appropriate connection method. 2. **Launch Data Recovery Software**: Open the data recovery software you've installed in Step 2. 3. **Select the External Drive**: In the software interface, look for the option to select the external disk as the target for data recovery. Make sure not to choose the original drive from which you're recovering data to avoid overwriting any lost files. 4. **Scan the External Drive**: Initiate a scan of the external hard drive. The software will search for all recoverable files on the drive. 5. **Preview and Select Files**: Once the scan is complete, you can preview the found files. Choose the ones you want to recover and mark them for retrieval. 6. **Save the Recovered Files**: Click on the 'Recover' or 'Save' button to start the process of transferring the selected files to your external hard drive. Be patient as this may take some time depending on the size of the files. 7. **Verify the Recovered Data**: After the transfer is finished, disconnect the external hard drive safely and check the recovered files to ensure they are intact and usable. Remember, it's crucial to have a reliable backup solution in place to prevent future data loss. Regularly backing up your important files to an external disk can help safeguard against unexpected data disasters.

Click the "Recover" button. A pop-up window will appear, asking you to "Please select a target location to save." Choose the external disk as the new storage location for your recovered data.

6 Solutions for the Apple Folder with Question Mark that Appears on Startup

If your macOS is unable to locate the startup disk, it could be due to issues encountered while attempting to start your Mac, which results in a flashing folder with a question mark. Even after restarting, the Mac question mark folder icon persists. In this section, we will explore every aspect of the issue and provide six methods to resolve the Mac startup problems.

You can watch the video tutorial to learn how to resolve the issue with a Mac folder displaying a flashing question mark.

• 0:29 - Check for Startup Options
• 00:42 - Startup Manager
• 01:01 - Run Internet Recovery
• 01:31 - Running First Aid
• 02:13 - Backup and Restore

Fix 1: Check System Preferences to Re-select Mac Startup Disk If your Mac is having trouble booting from the correct disk, you can try re-selecting the startup disk in System Preferences. Here's how: 1. **Boot into macOS Recovery**: First, restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the `Command` + `R` keys until you see the Apple logo. This will boot your Mac into macOS Recovery. 2. **Open System Preferences**: Once in macOS Recovery, click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Preferences." 3. **Select Startup Disk**: In System Preferences, click on the "Startup Disk" icon to open it. 4. **Choose the correct disk**: In the Startup Disk window, you should see a list of available disks. Select the one you want your Mac to start up from (usually the macOS installer or your main macOS volume). If you're not sure which one to choose, look for the one with the macOS version you're currently using or the most recent one. 5. **Restart your Mac**: Click on the "Restart" button to apply the changes and boot your Mac from the selected disk. After your Mac restarts, it should boot from the chosen startup disk. If the issue persists, proceed to the next fix.

If your MacBook can't turn on and displays a folder with a flashing question mark, you can manually select the correct startup disk from System Preferences.

Step 1. Select Startup Disk in System Preferences from the Apple menu.

Step 2. Select the Startup Disk icon, usually labeled as Macintosh HD.

Step 3. Click "Restart" to see if the flashing question mark folder is no longer visible on your Mac.

Solution 2: Reset NVRAM

< a href="/computer-instruction/nvram-reset.html">Resetting the NVRAM or PRAM is crucial as a solution if your Mac's startup disk becomes corrupted. You can attempt these steps:

Step 1. First, shut down the MacBook and wait for more than 20 seconds.

Step 2. Press and hold the power button along with the option keys: Command + Option + P + R.

Step 3. When you see the Apple logo again, let go of the keys.

Step 4. Once your Mac finishes starting up, you've completed the NVRAM reset.

Solution 3: Restart Mac in Recovery Mode

Since your startup disk has failed, you won't be able to boot your Mac normally. When you encounter the flashing folder with a question mark, indicating that the Command + R isn't functioning as expected, how do you resolve this issue? In such a situation, you can access your Mac's Recovery Mode to troubleshoot.

Step 1. You can boot into Mac Recovery mode using different keys, depending on whether your Mac is based on Apple silicon or an Intel CPU.

• Apple silicon: After turning on your Mac, press and hold the power button until the startup options menu appears. Select Options and then Continue.
• Intel processor: After turning on your Mac, press and hold the Command + R keys until an Apple logo or another image appears.

Step 2. Enter a password to proceed. Next, you can boot into macOS Recovery mode.

If you manage to boot your Mac into Recovery Mode, select Disk Utility from the window to repair the Startup disk. Proceed to Fix 4 for a detailed guide.

Solution 4: Repair Your Mac Hard Drive with Disk Utility

Disk Utility can scan the connected disk and fix issues when it finds them. Now, attempt to repair your Mac's startup disk by following these steps:

Step 1. Turn off your Mac and unplug all peripherals.

Step 2. Select Disk Utility from the macOS Utilities window in Mac Recovery Mode.

Step 3. Next, run Disk Utility to scan and repair the Mac startup disk.

Fix 5: Reformat Mac Startup Disk If none of the previous solutions work, you may need to reformat your Mac's startup disk. This will erase everything on your hard drive and reinstall a fresh copy of macOS. Please note that this is a drastic step and should only be done as a last resort, as it will result in the loss of all data and applications. Here's how to reformat your Mac's startup disk: 1. **Backup Your Data**: Before proceeding, ensure you have backed up all important files and data using Time Machine or another reliable backup method. 2. **Boot into Recovery Mode**: Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the `Command` + `R` keys until you see the Apple logo. This will boot your Mac into Recovery Mode. 3. **Disk Utility**: In the Utilities menu, select "Disk Utility." 4. **Select Startup Disk**: In the left sidebar, choose your startup disk, usually named "Macintosh HD" or something similar. 5. **Erase Disk**: Click the "Erase" button at the top. A new window will pop up. Choose a format (APFS for macOS High Sierra and later, or macOS Extended (Journaled) for earlier versions), give your disk a new name if desired, and click "Erase." 6. **Reinstall macOS**: Close Disk Utility and return to the main Recovery Mode screen. Select "Reinstall macOS" (or "Reinstall OS X" for older versions). Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install a fresh copy of macOS. 7. **Restore from Backup**: After the installation is complete, set up your Mac as a new device or restore from your Time Machine backup. Make sure to reinstall your apps and update to the latest software version. Remember, reformatting is a last resort, and it's crucial to back up your data beforehand. If you're still experiencing issues after reformatting, there might be a hardware problem, and you should contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider or visit an Apple Store for further assistance.

If Disk Utility can't repair the issue with the startup disk, you might need to reformat it. This process will erase all data on the startup disk, so ensure you back up your data if feasible.

To initiate the reform, boot your Mac into Recovery Mode and proceed to Disk Utility, just as Fix 3 and Fix 4 instructed.

Step 1. In Disk Utility, select Macintosh HD and choose Erase.

Step 2. In the pop-up window, you'll find an option to change the disk name and format.

Step 3. Pressing Erase Volume Group, which removes all data from your hard drive.

When it’s done, quit Disk Utility. You should now see your new SSD on your desktop.

Fix 6: Reinstall macOS from USB Drives

If the Mac startup disk remains unresponsive after repair, you can attempt to reinstall macOS to address the issue of the flashing question mark folder on startup.

Since your Mac is unable to boot normally, you'll need to install macOS from a USB drive. To do this, download the installation files on another device and initiate the reinstallation process from the USB.

Step 1. First, format an external USB drive that you'll use to store the macOS installer.

Step 2. Download the macOS installer from another Mac or Apple's website.

Step 3. Create a bootable USB disk using Terminal by typing the following command lines:

Lastly, boot your Mac from the USB drive. After reinstallation of macOS, you can verify if the issue of the Mac flashing a folder with a question mark has been resolved.

In Summary

After implementing the above solutions, you can resolve the Mac startup issue without losing your data by applying the modifications. It's crucial to remember to back up your data or restore it as soon as possible. The tool "Data Recovery Wizard for Mac" can be immensely helpful in this regard.

FAQs: Mac Shows Folder with Question Mark Flashing

Here are 4 questions regarding the "Mac flashes" folder with a question mark. Find the answers below: 1. What does a question mark in the Mac flashes folder indicate? 2. How do I resolve the issue of a question mark appearing on the flashes folder? 3. Can a question mark on the folder signify a problem with my Mac's system files? 4. Is it safe to delete the flashes folder with a question mark, or should I seek professional assistance? Check the provided source for the corresponding answers to these questions.

1. What does a folder with a question mark mean on a Mac?

When you power on a Mac, instead of displaying the Apple logo, the screen shows a flashing question mark in the center. This issue signifies damage to the startup disk and can affect various Apple Mac computer models, such as the MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air.

2. Why do I see a flashing folder with a question mark after replacing the hard drive? This issue typically indicates that the computer is unable to find a valid operating system on the newly installed hard drive. Here's what the flashing folder with a question mark signifies: 1. **No Bootable System**: The computer is not recognizing a bootable system volume or the necessary boot files are missing. 2. **Missing OS**: The new hard drive doesn't have an operating system installed, or the previous one wasn't transferred properly. 3. **Incorrect Partitioning**: The hard drive might not be formatted or partitioned correctly for the Mac's file system (e.g., HFS+ or APFS). 4. **Boot Loader Issue**: There could be a problem with the boot loader, which is responsible for starting the operating system. To resolve this issue, you can try the following steps: - **Reinstall macOS**: If you have a macOS installation media or access to Recovery Mode (press and hold Command + R during startup), you can reinstall the operating system. - **Verify Disk**: Use Disk Utility (available in Recovery Mode) to check and repair the disk if needed. - **Check Connections**: Ensure that the hard drive is connected properly and recognized by the system. - **Format and Partition**: If the drive is new or not compatible, format it using Disk Utility and create a suitable partition. - **Restore from Backup**: If you have a Time Machine backup or a clone of your previous drive, restore from that. Remember that data loss may occur if you proceed without a backup, so it's crucial to ensure you have your important files secured.

Due to the "Mac no startup disk" error, your Mac is unable to load the macOS from the hard drive into memory to start up the operating system. The appearance of the question mark folder symbol indicates that:

• Issues related to the hardware of your startup hard disk or logic board
• Software problems occur when the startup disk does not contain a functional copy of macOS

3. How do I fix it if my Mac starts up with a question mark?

You can attempt these remedies and adhere to the comprehensive guideline provided above.

• Repair the startup disk in macOS Recovery
• Make the startup disk appear in Disk Utility
• Reset NVRAM on your Mac
• Reinstall macOS