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Flashing folder with a ?

After trying to reset computer to factory settings it couldn’t restore, so I followed the instructions to restore files and got the flashing folder with a ?

followed the steps on support and didn’t help. Anything else I can do from home?

Posted on Oct 4, 2022 3:52 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 4, 2022 3:56 PM

According to Apple:

A folder with a flashing question mark means that your startup disk is no longer available or doesn't contain a working Mac operating system.



If the question mark is persistent, and your Mac does not start up normally:

  1. Press and hold the power button on your Mac for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off.
  2. Every Mac has a power button. On notebook computers that have Touch ID, press and hold Touch ID.
  3. Use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk. Follow the steps for a Mac with an Intel processor.
  4. If Disk Utility found no errors or repaired all errors, reinstall macOS.


Need more help?

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 4, 2022 3:56 PM in response to rashelle288

According to Apple:

A folder with a flashing question mark means that your startup disk is no longer available or doesn't contain a working Mac operating system.



If the question mark is persistent, and your Mac does not start up normally:

  1. Press and hold the power button on your Mac for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off.
  2. Every Mac has a power button. On notebook computers that have Touch ID, press and hold Touch ID.
  3. Use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk. Follow the steps for a Mac with an Intel processor.
  4. If Disk Utility found no errors or repaired all errors, reinstall macOS.


Need more help?

Flashing folder with a ?

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