TroubleshootingHardware & printing

Computer troubleshooting and the 50% rule

The 50% rule helps identify a peripheral or cable that conflicts with a production Mac.

In this article

Use the 50% rule

  1. Shut down the computer and disconnect all external devices and cables except power, keyboard, mouse, and display.

  2. Start the computer and verify the original problem.

  3. Reconnect one device at a time.

  4. Restart after each newly connected device.

  5. When the problem returns, record the last device, cable, adapter, or hub added and contact Support with that result.

Choose the symptom

Computer has no power External monitor has a black screen Mac starts to a gray screen Mac shows a flashing folder Computer freezes intermittently
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