How to Find Your MacBook’s Diagnostic Menu

A MacBook that constantly shuts down, develops display issues, or suddenly stops recognizing its keyboard can leave you guessing whether the problem is hardware or software. Apple Diagnostics can refine this by testing the hardware inside the Mac. Despite the “diagnostic menu” wording you can see online, it’s not something you’ll find buried in the system settings. You access it when your Mac starts up.

Before getting there, you need to know what type of MacBook you have, as the boot process differs between them. Open the Apple menu and select About this Mac. If you see Chip followed by the name of an M-series processor, you have an Apple Silicon Mac. An older model may instead display Processor followed by an Intel chip. Apple also maintains a list of Mac models powered by Apple silicon if you’re still unsure.

The experience in Apple Diagnostics also depends on your version of macOS. Macs running macOS 26 Tahoe or later may offer individual diagnostics for hardware such as the integrated display, keyboard, or trackpad. On earlier versions, the diagnostic test runs automatically.

Before running the test, Apple recommends installing available macOS updates if your MacBook is usable enough to do so. Once done, turn off the machine and disconnect external devices. Leave only necessary connections such as power and Ethernet, as well as a keyboard, mouse or external display if applicable. Place your MacBook on a hard, flat surface with good ventilation.

On a MacBook with Apple siliconhold down the power button (the Touch ID button also serves as the power button on MacBooks that have it). Hold down the key until the boot options screen appears and you see Possibilitiesthen release the button. Press and hold Command (⌘) and D until the Mac restarts into Apple Diagnostics.

On a MacBook Intelturn on the computer and immediately press and hold D. Release the key when you see a progress bar or when prompted to select a language. If this shortcut doesn’t work, reboot and try holding both Option (⌥) and Dwhich can start Apple Diagnostics over the Internet.

Follow the instructions once Diagnosis opens. Your MacBook may ask to connect to Wi-Fi if it’s not connected. On macOS 26 Tahoe or later, you’ll also see the available diagnostic choices and can select the test that matches the issue you’re investigating. Earlier versions usually start testing automatically.

Apple Support or a repair technician can also start an Apple Diagnostics session online in some cases. Unless you run it at their request, choose Run offline.

Apple Diagnostics is a hardware troubleshooting tool. It can identify potential faults involving internal components, displaying specific codes for areas such as memory, batteries, cameras, keyboards, trackpads, storage, displays and wireless hardware.

What it can’t do is just as useful to understand. It does not test external hardware such as a connected USB accessory, and it is not designed to detect problems caused by macOS, applications, or software extensions. If a certain app keeps crashing or an external drive disconnects repeatedly, for example, Apple Diagnostics probably won’t have anything useful to report. Apple’s Mac troubleshooting documentation makes this distinction explicit.

It also changes how you should interpret a clean test. The reference code ADP000 means Apple Diagnostics found no issues. This doesn’t prove that everything is fine with your MacBook; this means that the test did not identify a problem with the hardware being checked. This always leaves software, an external accessory, or another cause on the table.

When Diagnostics returns a component-specific code, you can search for it to see what part of the MacBook it relates to. This will indicate whether Apple recommends troubleshooting or additional service.

If Apple Diagnostics returns one or more reference codes, keep them. Apple’s Reference Codes page explains what they mean and, if so, what to do next. Codes are also useful if you contact Apple Support or take your MacBook to an Apple Store, Apple Authorized Service Provider, or independent repairer.

If the diagnostics don’t identify a hardware problem, but your MacBook is still misbehaving, the next step depends on the symptoms. One option is macOS Recoverysometimes described informally as a Mac’s “repair mode.” Recovery is different from Apple Diagnostics: it provides tools to repair the startup disk with Disk Utility, reinstall macOS, or restore from a Time Machine backup.

To access macOS Recovery on an Apple Silicon MacBook, turn it off and hold the power button until the startup options appear. Select PossibilitiesSO Continue. On an Intel MacBook, immediately turn it on and hold Command (⌘) and R until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. Be aware that Intel Macs cannot run macOS 27 Golden Gate, so their time is limited.

This difference can save you from solving a bad problem. Apple Diagnostics is the place to start when you suspect an internal hardware failure. If the hardware test comes back with no issues, software troubleshooting or macOS recovery may be the most helpful next step. For minor issues, simple tips to speed up your Mac may be enough.