MacBook Pro Cannot Log In – How to Fix It

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If your MacBook Pro is not letting you log in, it could be due to a forgotten password, a software issue, or a corrupted user account. This guide provides step-by-step solutions to fix the issue and regain access to your Mac.

Restart Your MacBook

Restarting can fix temporary glitches that prevent login.

Steps to Restart
  1. Click the Apple menu and select Restart.
  2. If the Mac is frozen, press and hold the Power button until it shuts down, then turn it back on.

Check Keyboard and Caps Lock

Ensure the Keyboard is Working
  • Try typing the password in the username field to see if the keys register correctly.
  • Use an external keyboard if the built-in one is unresponsive.

Turn Off Caps Lock
  • Check if Caps Lock is on, as passwords are case-sensitive.

Reset Your Mac Password

If you forgot the password, you can reset it using the following methods.

Reset Password Using Apple ID
  1. Click ? or Reset Password on the login screen.
  2. Select Reset using Apple ID.
  3. Follow the prompts to reset your password.

Reset Password via macOS Recovery
  1. Turn off the MacBook.
  2. Press Command + R, then press the Power button to boot into Recovery Mode.
  3. When the macOS Utilities screen appears, select Terminal from the Utilities menu.
  4. Type: 
    resetpassword
  5. Press Enter and follow the instructions to reset your password.

Boot into Safe Mode

If the MacBook is stuck on the login screen, Safe Mode can help identify issues.

Steps to Boot in Safe Mode
  • Intel Mac: Hold Shift while pressing the Power button.
  • Apple Silicon Mac: Press and hold the Power button until startup options appear, then select Safe Mode.
  • Log in and restart normally to see if the issue is resolved.

Reset NVRAM and PRAM

If login issues persist, resetting NVRAM/PRAM may help.

Steps to Reset NVRAM/PRAM (Intel Macs Only)
  1. Shut down the MacBook.
  2. Press and hold Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds.
  3. Release the keys and restart the Mac.

Repair Disk Errors

A corrupted disk may prevent login. Disk Utility can check and repair errors.

Steps to Run First Aid
  1. Boot into Recovery Mode (Command + R during startup).
  2. Select Disk Utility > Macintosh HD > First Aid.
  3. Click Run and wait for the process to complete.

Create a New User Account

If the user account is corrupted, creating a new one may fix the issue.

Steps to Add a New User
  1. Boot into Recovery Mode.
  2. Open Terminal and type: 
    resetpassword
  3. Select Create a New User and follow the instructions.
  4. Restart and log in with the new account.

If none of these solutions work, contact Apple Support for further assistance.