You start up your MacBook expecting to hear that familiar start-up chime … except it doesn’t happen. Instead, you get a series of beeps. Your MacBook is making beeping noises and not turning on. What can you do? Don’t panic—we’ve got you covered.
At uBreakiFix® by Asurion, we know tech and can help with everything from repairing your MacBook® to walking you through how to add more memory. Here’s what you need to know about why your MacBook Pro® is beeping three times and how you can get it working as it should again.
What’s causing my MacBook to beep three times?
Those beeps indicate that there could be a serious problem inside your Mac. The three beeps you hear usually indicate a memory (RAM) issue in your MacBook—it could be that the memory is failing or got knocked out of its slot.
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How can I fix the MacBook three-beep problem?
You’ll want to target the memory inside your MacBook with these troubleshooting steps.
Perform a power cycle
A power cycle can help reset the hardware of your MacBook. Here’s how to perform one:
- Turn off your MacBook and unplug all connected accessories.
- Hold the Power button for 10 seconds, then release it.
- Press the power button again to turn on your MacBook.
Reset the NVRAM/PRAM
The Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM) or Parameter RAM (PRAM) on a MacBook stores information about settings and could be responsible for the beeping if corrupted. Resetting your MacBook NVRAM or PRAM does not erase your data—though it’s never a bad idea to back up first.
- Power off your MacBook.
- Press the Power button, then immediately press and hold the Option, Command, P, and R keys simultaneously for about 20 seconds. This action will reset the NVRAM/PRAM.
If you've tried these steps and still need a little help, we're right around the corner. Schedule a repair at the nearest uBreakiFix® by Asurion store and our certified experts can get your device back up and running as soon as the same day.