Mac Prohibitory Symbol Fix

If your Mac shows the prohibitory symbol, reinstalling macOS in Recovery Mode is known to fix the issue. Try the following steps:

1. Restart your Mac.
2. Press and hold Command + R.
3. Once you see the Apple logo, release the keys.
4. Click on Options.
5. Open Utilities to allow macOS reinstallation while in Recovery Mode.

What does a prohibition symbol that Mac shows during startup mean?

A Mac circle with a line is the prohibition symbol. This means your startup disk has an incompatible or corrupted macOS installed. To fix it, boot your device in macOS Recovery. Then use Disk Utility to scan and repair your startup disk.

Common causes of the prohibitory symbol on Mac

That pesky MacBook circle with slash is usually linked to system glitches or compatibility issues. Damaged system files can interrupt proper startup, while an incompatible macOS version might not function correctly. Additionally, startup issues can lead to boot failures.

Below, we’ll explore the common causes to help you understand how they can affect your daily activities on Mac:

• Corrupted macOS files
• Outdated or incompatible macOS versions
• Issues with bootable disk or startup drive        

Now. read on each of them in more detail.

1. Corrupted macOS files

When macOS files become corrupted, it can prevent your device from booting up correctly, leading to the dreaded prohibitory symbol. In some cases, we’ve noticed that damaged files are interfering with the operating system’s ability to load—not ideal!

2. Outdated or incompatible macOS versions

Running an outdated or incompatible macOS version can also prompt the prohibitory symbol to pop up at startup. If your MacBook or iMac cannot recognize the installed version, it won’t boot properly.

3. Issues with bootable disk or startup drive

Another culprit we’ve noticed that can cause the circle with a line symbol is issues with the bootable disk or startup drive. This usually happens if the disk is corrupted or failing, leading to boot errors.

A note from our experts: 

 

For a quicker solution to fix the prohibitory symbol on Mac, we recommend using MacKeeper’s Premium Services. Our experts can walk you through the troubleshooting process efficiently, saving you time and reducing the chances of errors.

 

Here’s how MacKeeper’s Premium Services can help you fix system issues:

1. Download MacKeeper.
2. Go to Premium Services.
3. Click on Chat Now.
4. In the chat box, describe the system issues you're facing to receive tailored advice.

How to fix prohibitory symbol on MacBook

If you're seeing the prohibitory symbol, don't worry—there are several ways to fix it. Below, we’ll walk you through different troubleshooting methods to recover your Mac and get it running uninterrupted.

Here are the methods we’ll walk through together:  

1. Restart your Mac in safe mode.
2. Check your startup disk.
3. Repair macOS using recovery mode.
4. Reset NVRAM/PRAM.
5. Run First Aid.
6. Consult Apple support.

1. Restart your Mac in safe mode

Safe Mode is a special startup option on your Mac designed to help you fix various software-related issues, including the prohibitory symbol.

Here’s how to easily restart your Mac in safe mode:

1. Restart your Mac.
2. Upon startup, hold down Shift until you see the Apple icon.
3. Release Shift when you see the login window.
4. Log back into your Mac.

An extra tip from us: 

 

You’ve restarted your device, but now your Mac is stuck on the Apple Logo—this is a common nuisance that can be resolved. Our attached blog article will walk you through the steps.

2. Check your startup disk

Your MacBook or iMac may be showing the prohibitory symbol due to issues with your startup disk—this is where your macOS is installed. Therefore, if it’s not set up correctly, it can lead to boot failures.

Here’s how to check you are using the right startup disk:

1. Power on your Mac and immediately hold down Option.
2. Wait for the Startup Manager to appear.
3. Select Macintosh HD.
4. Click Enter to boot from your selected disk.

3. Repair macOS using recovery mode

To fix the prohibitory symbol, you may need to repair macOS using Recovery Mode. This process checks for system file corruption that may be preventing proper startup.

Here’s how to repair macOS using Recovery Mode:

1. Turn on your Mac.
2. Press and hold Command + R.
3. Select Reinstall macOS from the macOS Utilities window.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your Apple OS.

A helping hand from our team: 

 

If macOS recovery mode is not working, we suggest reading through our attached piece first to ensure you’re entering the set-up mode correctly.

4. Reset NVRAM/PRAM

Another effective troubleshooting method we’ve noticed that can prevent the prohibitory symbol is resetting the NVRAM/PRAM. This can resolve system errors that might be interfering with your startup.

Here’s how to reset NVRAM/PRAM:

1. Power down your Mac.
2. Turn it back on and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R.
3. Hold the keys for about 20 seconds, then release them.

5. Run First Aid

If you’re still experiencing errors, we suggest running First Aid. It scans your disk for errors and repairs them, often repairing disk corruption that is preventing macOS from booting correctly.

Here’s how to run First Aid:

1. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R to boot into Recovery Mode.
2. In macOS Utilities, select Disk Utility.
3. Choose Macintosh HD.
4. Click First Aid, then click Run.
5. Once finished, restart your Mac.

Important: 

 

Is your Mac still running slow after fixing the prohibitory symbol issue? Be sure to check Mac Activity Monitor to see if a resource-heavy process is behind the lag.

6. Consult Apple support

Still seeing the Mac circle with line? It may be time to contact Apple Support to check for any hardware or software issues. They can help resolve the problem and get back to your usual activities. Here’s how to get in touch with Apple Support:

1. Visit the official Apple Support website.
2. Scroll down until you see Get support and press Start Now.
3. Describe your issue in the search box to find the right troubleshooting support

Get your Mac running again

Facing the prohibitory symbol on Mac can be frustrating, so we hope this post has provided helpful solutions to fix any issues you experience. Our top recommendation is to try and repair macOS in Recovery Mode—it‘s the most effective way to repair startup issues.

For a faster, hassle-free solution, MacKeeper’s Premium Services provide expert support to help you diagnose and resolve any Mac-related glitches or system problems you’re facing, ensuring your device runs smoothly.