Why Won’t My Password Work on My MacBook?

As a Mac user, there’s nothing more annoying than dealing with a Mac password not working. Whether you’re using a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or any other Mac, password problems can be a real pain.

This guide will go through the reasons why your Mac password won’t work and step by step solutions to get you back in.

Before we get to the solutions, let’s go through some common reasons why your Mac password won’t work:

1. Incorrect password: Sometimes the simplest answer is the correct one. You might be typing the wrong password.
2. Caps Lock is on: Caps Lock can cause problems if you don’t know it’s on.
3. Language or keyboard layout changed: If your keyboard settings have changed, it could be interpreting your password differently.
4. Software glitch: Sometimes system bugs can get in the way of the login.
5. FileVault encryption: If FileVault is enabled, it can cause login problems.
6. User account corruption: In rare cases your user account can become corrupted.

Now let’s get to the solutions.

Basic Troubleshooting

1. Check Your Password

First check you’re typing the correct login password. Mac passwords are case sensitive so make sure you’re using the right combination of upper and lower case characters.

2. Check the Caps Lock Key

Look for the Caps Lock icon in the password field. If it’s on, press the Caps Lock key to turn it off and try your password again.

3. Check Your Keyboard Settings

Check if your keyboard layout has changed:

1. Click on the input menu in the top right of your screen (it looks like a flag or language abbreviation).
2. Select your language keyboard.

4. Restart Your Mac

Sometimes a simple restart can fix login issues:

1. Press the power button until your Mac shuts down.
2. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
3. Try logging in once your Mac is back on.
4. During the restart process, you will see the Apple logo with a progress bar appearing below it.

Advanced Solutions

If the above doesn’t work, try these:

1. Reset Your Password

If you’re sure you’re typing the right password but it’s still not working, you may need to reset it. Here’s how:

For Apple Silicon Macs:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press the power button until you see “Loading startup options.”
3. Click “Options” and then “Continue.”
4. Select your startup disk and click “Next.”
5. Click “Forgot all passwords?” and follow the on-screen instructions.

For Intel Macs:

1. Restart your Mac and immediately hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode.
2. Select “Macintosh HD” (or your startup disk name).
3. From the top menu, choose Utilities > Terminal to open the terminal window.
4. Type resetpassword and press Return.
5. Follow the password resetting prompt to create a new password.

2. Use Your Apple ID to Reset Your Password

If you’ve linked your Apple ID to your Mac user account you can use it to reset your Apple ID password:

1. At the login screen click on the question mark icon in the password field.
2. Click on the arrow next to “reset it using your Apple ID.”
3. Enter your Apple ID and password.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new password.

3. Boot into Safe Mode

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. For Intel Macs: Turn it on and immediately press and hold the Shift key.

For Apple Silicon Macs: Press and hold the power button until you see startup options, then select your startup disk and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”

3. Release the Shift key when you see the login window.
4. Try logging in with your password.

4. Check for File System Errors

Password not working issues can be caused by file system errors. Here’s how to check and repair:

1. Restart your Mac in Recovery Mode (above).
2. Select Disk Utility from the macOS Utilities window.
3. Select your startup disk (usually Macintosh HD) and click “First Aid.”
4. Follow the prompts to check and repair any issues.

If Nothing Works

If none of the above work you may need to take more drastic measures:

1. Create a New User Account

Creating a new admin account using the admin password will get you back into your Mac:

1. Boot into Recovery Mode.
2. Open Terminal from the Utilities menu.
3. Type resetpassword and press Return.
4. Click the “+” icon to create a new admin user.
5. Restart your Mac and log in with the new user.

2. Factory Reset

As a last resort, if you are experiencing issues with your MacBook password, you may need to factory reset your Mac. This will erase everything on your Mac:

1. Boot into Recovery Mode.
2. Select “Reinstall macOS” from the macOS Utilities window.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS.

How to Avoid Password Issues in the Future

To avoid password problems in the future:

1. Use a password manager to store your passwords securely.
2. Enable Touch ID if your MacBook has it for easy logins.
3. Back up your data with Time Machine regularly.
4. Keep your macOS up to date.

Additionally, it’s important to be familiar with the available password reset options, such as using your Apple ID or selecting specific options during the Mac restart process.

Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all of the above and still can’t get into your Mac, then contact Apple Support. They can help you further and may be able to recover your data if needed.

Don’t worry, password issues are fixable. Most Mac users will be able to get back into their Mac using these steps. Always prioritize your data and consider using FileVault and two-factor authentication for your Apple ID to secure your Mac and its contents.