How to Fix a Mac Laptop Stuck on a Boot Screen

Mac OS X Mavericks provides advanced recovery options to circumvent boot problems and regain access to data on your computer. A MacBook that hangs on the boot screen can indicate several possible issues. By starting with the most common and simplest resolutions and moving to more advanced troubleshooting steps, you can fix your MacBook safely. Contact a professional technician to diagnose complicated issues.

MacBooks come with a special type of memory that stores many low-level settings for your MacBook. Sometimes you need to restore the NVRAM to get your computer functioning again. NVRAM controls many functions, including the speaker volume, screen resolution and the startup disk selection. When your MacBook can't find the startup disk, it can hang on the boot screen indefinitely. Reset the NVRAM by powering down the MacBook; restart and immediately hold down the "Command-Option-P-R" keys simultaneously. When you hear the start-up chime a second time, release the keys.

After resetting the NVRAM, you may need to select the startup disk. This issue usually affects computers with more than one hard drive. Start the computer as normal and hold down the "Option" key as the computer starts. When the Startup Manager displays, use the left or right arrow keys to cycle between hard drive options. Select the main hard drive, usually called Macintosh HD, and press the "Return" key. Wait for your computer to boot into the operating system.

Safe Mode disables all but the most important applications that your computer needs to run. Starting in Safe Mode also includes an automatic disk check to verify and repair any issues with the operating system software. If you boot into Safe Mode successfully, you can then shut down your computer and attempt to boot normally. To start in Safe Mode, shut down your computer and press the power button to restart; after you hear the start-up chime, press and hold the "Shift" key. Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple logo.

Use Disk Utility to check the status of your hard disk and make sure that you don't have a failing hard drive. Shut down your computer; restart and then hold down the "Command-R" keys until you see the OS X Recovery utility screen. Select the "Disk Utility" option and select the "First Aid" tab. Select your hard drive from the sidebar and then click "Repair" to diagnose and repair the disk. If you have a failing hard drive, a notice displays telling you to back up your system and reformat the hard drive.

Reinstalling Mac OS X fixes any corrupt system files and repairs the operating system without deleting your files, applications and other data. Restart and hold down the "Command-R" keys. After you access the OS X Recovery utility, you may need to select a Wi-Fi network so that your Mac can download the latest installation files. Select the "Reinstall OS X" option, click "Continue" and then follow the onscreen prompts to complete the reinstallation of your operating system.