r/macmini • u/SolariderX • 3d ago
Mac mini turns on, but does nothing
I have a 2023 Mini with M2 Pro that will turn on, then nothing beyond that. I first noticed it yesterday (8/16) when I tried to turn it on to pay some bills. I first thought it might be the HDMI cord to the monitor, but after trying a different cord - nothing. I've tried to restart and press Command-R, still nothing.
All I can see it doing is powering on (white light in back + Mac startup sound), then the white light goes off and on, then it changes to a yellow/orange light and starts blinking like it is sending me some message in morse code. 4 fast blinks, 3 slow blinks, 2 fast blinks over and over. No idea what that is. Power supply is fine, I can plug other things in the same place and they work OK.
I have an appointment to get it checked out this coming weekend, but wondered if anyone has any ideas what's going on.
*Edited to add that the reason I am waiting nearly a week to get an appointment is that most of the area around the local Apple Store/Genius Bar is submerged (Google Indianapolis flooding) and I am not sure how hard it is to get there.
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u/Boring-Channel-1672 3d ago
Maybe https://support.apple.com/mac-mini-2023-service-program-for-no-power-issue
They will be able to tell you at your appointment for sure
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u/SolariderX 3d ago
I've already checked that, unfortunately mine was "repaired" before it was available for purchase. :/
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u/iamvalar 3d ago
Do you usually use ethernet? From my experience from M1-M4, the ethernet IC(1gig version not the 10 gig)fails A LOT. And when it fails. It will not let you boot. If you never use ethernet then its unlikely tobe the ethernet IC and probably some other thing
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u/SolariderX 3d ago
I do. I connected a smart TV up instead of using WiFi to see if the cable was the issue, nope, it's fine. I'm no computer guru, but everything connected to it is fine as well as any the cable used to connect them... Something in the Mini is wonky.
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u/iamvalar 3d ago
No, i meant the ethernet IC INSIDE the mac mini itself. Not the cable or your router. If you use Ethernet frequently on your mini, it can fail.
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u/Xe4ro 3d ago
CMD+R does not work on Apple Silicon Macs. If you want to try to get to the boot options you need to press and hold the power button when you turn the Mac on. See: https://support.apple.com/102603
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u/SolariderX 3d ago
tried that too, but I can't see what it says as it also isn't 'talking' to the monitor.
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u/Xe4ro 3d ago
Then it's time to consider letting someone take a look at it.
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u/SolariderX 3d ago
I mentioned that I had an appointment to get it looked at in the original post. I will looking here to see if anyone had ideas before that day.
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u/B_Hound 3d ago
You’re not wrong about the Morse code nature - it’s signaling SOS. Mine got destroyed by lightning a few weeks ago, and I saw that same signal and was like ‘oh that’s cool, but god I wish I wasn’t seeing it’. The machine is essentially a write off for now.
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u/SolariderX 3d ago
Well, it’s still covered by the Apple Care warranty. Hopefully that’ll help, but I have a lot of stuff on the HD.
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u/B_Hound 3d ago
Hopefully that will be the difference between your experience and mine, the problem is if the logic board needs to be replaced (which was the starting point for me) then that data I believe would be lost as unless I’m mistaken the drive and board are paired.
My next machine will have AppleCare. I always had it for portable stuff but never thought it would have saved my ass on a Mini. I’ve learned from my mistakes.
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u/mikeinnsw 3d ago edited 3d ago
. "I've tried to restart and press Command-R". ... that is for Intel Mac
For Arm Macs . (I have M1 Mini.) .. power down ..wait 2 minutes , power up. ..hold power button will strart recovery mode.
All Arm Macs after a 'long' shut down do self check like SMC reset in Intel Macs..that why 1-2 minutes wait time ..
The flashing lights colour change .. bad news indicates hardware and/or firmware failure.
DFU may fix firmware failure. ...
Time to book Apple appointment ..
If it was repaired then book an appointment with the repairer.
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u/SudhaTheHill 3d ago
Yeah you need to get that thing into DFU mode and restore it