How to Fix Folder with Question Mark at Mac Startup Screen?

Sometimes, your Mac flashes a folder with question mark on startup screen instead of Apple logo. It’s not an issue unless Mac starts normally after this event. Usually, folder with question mark appears when Mac fails to locate its system software/boot directory. This problem can be easily resolved after your Mac booted completely. To do it,

  • Go to System Preferences and select Startup Disk
  • Set Mac startup disk and quit the screen

In rare cases, Mac stuck at the screen containing folder with question mark and won’t boot at all. Possible causes for this issue could be undetected HDD or corrupted OS/hard disk. So, follow these troubleshooting to make your Macintosh bootable.

1.OS X recovery mode:

  • Power off your Mac for a while
  • Turn it on and press Command +R keys together
  • Release keys when Apple logo appears
  • Get internet connection, if asked
  • Opt Startup Disk in macOS window
  • Choose the appropriate startup disk
  • Restart your Mac

You may fail to find the startup disk while following above procedure. It indicates that your disk need repair. If so, then fix your disk via next technique and set it as startup disk.

2. Disk Utility:

  • Track the first method and open macOS
  • Select Disk Utility and pick your startup disk
  • Release keys when Apple logo appears
  • Go to First Aid and click on Repair Disk button
  • Once your disk is fixed, go to Startup Disk in macOS
  • Proceed as indicated in method 1

If Disk Utility couldn’t find/repair your disk then you need to reformat the drive. But, ensure that you have a proper backup before doing so. If you don’t own backup then create one using Yodot Mac Data Recovery utility.

Yodot to Backup your Mac drives:

Yodot is the simplest way to recover non-bootable Mac drive data. The utility easily backs up files from inaccessible Mac HDD as well external drives. Your data will be in safe hands as this application is 100% virus-free. Any Mac user can use this software, as it has handy interface and offers sound technical assistance. The tool has beneficial options to smartly retrieve deleted Mac volume contents with no hassle. You can check out the link to know this program in detail.

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Steps to Backup Macintosh That Shows Folder with Question Mark:

  • Connect your Mac HDD with healthy Mac
  • Get Yodot Mac Data Recovery tool on that machine
  • Launch the toolkit and opt Volume Recovery
  • Pick the connected drive from list
  • Select all volumes
  • Go for Standard Scan and hit Skip button
  • Save entire data on another disk

Look after your hard drive:

  • Frequently check your disk and resolve issues at early stages
  • Store system files and user data separately
  • Double-check before installing unknown applications

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