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Some Mac issues, such as those involving boot problems, can be caused by software or hardware issues. A good example is getting stuck at the blue screen or gray screen when you start up your Mac. The reason you're stuck could be a hardware or software problem; running the Apple Hardware Test can help you narrow down the cause.
The AHT can diagnose issues with your Mac's display, graphics, processor, memory, logic board, sensors, and storage.
Although we don’t like to think it happens, Apple hardware does fail from time to time, with the most common failure being RAM. Luckily, for most Macs RAM is easy to replace; running the Apple Hardware Test to confirm a RAM failure is a pretty simple task.
There are a number of ways to run the AHT, including a method to load the test from the Internet. But not all Macs support the Apple Hardware Test over the Internet; this is especially true of pre-2010 Macs. To test an older Mac, you first need to determine where the AHT is located.
Where Is the Apple Hardware Test Located?
The location of the AHT is dependent on the model and year of your Mac. The process of starting up the AHT also depends on which Mac you're testing.
2013 or Newer Macs
For all 2013 and newer Macs, Apple changed the hardware testing system to use a new hardware testing system called Apple Diagnostics. You can find instructions on how to use the new system at:
Using Apple Diagnostics to Troubleshoot Your Mac's Hardware?
Macs That Shipped With OS X Lion or Later
OS X Lion was released in the summer of 2011. Lion marked the change from distributing OS software on physical media (DVDs) to providing the software as a download. Before OS X Lion, the Apple Hardware Test was provided on one of the install DVDs that were included with a Mac, or on a special USB flash drive that was provided for the early version of the MacBook Air, which didn't have an optical media slot.
With OS X Lion and later, the AHT is included in a hidden partition on a Mac's startup drive. If you're using Lion or later, you're all set to run the Apple Hardware Test; simply skip down to the How to Run AHT section.
Note: If you have erased or replaced your Mac's startup drive, you will probably need to use the Apple Hardware Test over the Internet.
Macs That Shipped With OS X 10.5.5 (Fall 2008) to OS X 10.6.7 (Summer 2011)
OS X 10.5.5 (Leopard) was released in September of 2008. For Macs that were sold with OS X 10.5.5 and later versions of Leopard, or with any version of Snow Leopard, the AHT is located on the Application Install Disc 2 DVD that was included with the Mac.
MacBook Air owners who purchased their Macs during this time frame will find the AHT on the MacBook Air Reinstall Drive, a USB flash drive that was included with purchase.
Intel-Based Macs Purchased With OS X 10.5.4 (Summer 2008) or Earlier
If you purchased your Mac either in or before the summer of 2008, you will find the AHT on the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 DVD that was included with your purchase.
PowerPC-Based Macs
For older Macs, such as iBooks, Power Macs, and PowerBooks, the AHT is on a separate CD that was included with the Mac. If you can’t find the CD, you can download the AHT and burn a copy onto a CD. You will find both the AHT and instructions on how to burn a CD at the Apple Hardware Test Images site.
What to Do If You Can't Find the AHT Disk or USB Flash Drive
It's not uncommon for the optical media or USB flash drive to become misplaced over time. And of course, you won't notice that they're missing until you need them.
If you find yourself in this situation, you have two basic choices. You can give Apple a call and order a replacement disk set. You'll need your Mac's serial number; here's how to find it:
- From the Apple menu, select About This Mac.
- When the About This Mac window opens, click on the text located between OS X and the Software Update button.
- With each click, the text will change to show the current version of OS X, the OS X Build number, or the Serial Number.
Once you have the serial number, you can call Apple support at 1-800-APL-CARE or use the online support system to initiate a request for replacement media.
The other option is to take your Mac to an Apple authorized service center or an Apple Retail Store. They should be able to run the AHT for you, as well as help diagnose any issues you're having.
How to Run the Apple Hardware Test
Now that you know where the AHT is located, we can start the Apple Hardware Test.
- Insert the appropriate DVD or USB flash drive into your Mac.
- Shut down your Mac, if it's on.
- If you're testing a Mac portable, be sure to connect it to an AC power source. Do not run the test from the Mac's battery.
- Press the power button to start your Mac.
- Immediately hold down the D key. Be sure the D key is pressed before a gray screen appears. If the gray screen beats you to the punch, wait for your Mac to start up, then shut it down and repeat the process.
- Continue to hold the D key until you see a small icon of a Mac on your display. Once you see the icon, you can release the D key.
- A list of languages that can be used to run the AHT will appear. Use the mouse cursor or the Up/Down arrow keys to highlight a language to use, and then click the button in the bottom right-hand corner (the one with the right-facing arrow).
- The Apple Hardware Test will check to see what hardware is installed in your Mac. You may need to wait for a bit for the hardware probe to complete. Once it's complete, the Test button will be highlighted.
- Before you press the Test button, you can check what hardware the test found by clicking on the Hardware Profile tab. Look through the list of components to ensure that your Mac's major components are showing up correctly. If anything appears to be wrong, you should verify what your Mac's configuration should be. You can do this by checking Apple's support site for the specifications on the Mac you are using. If the configuration information doesn't match up, you may have a failed device that will need to be checked and repaired or replaced.
- If the configuration information appears to be correct, you can proceed to the testing.
- Click the Hardware Test tab.
- The AHT supports two types of tests: a standard test and an extended test. The extended test is a good way to find issues with RAM or graphics. But even if you do suspect such a problem, it's probably a good idea to start with the shorter, standard test.
- Click the Test button.
- The AHT will start, displaying a status bar and any error messages that may result. The test can take a while, so sit back or take a break. You may hear your Mac's fans rev up and down; this is normal during the testing process.
- The status bar will disappear when the test is finished. The Test Results area of the window will display either a "No trouble found" message or a list of problems found. If you see an error in the test results, take a look at the error code section below for a list of common error codes and what they mean.
- If everything seems OK, you may still want to run the extended test, which is better at finding memory and graphics problems. To run the extended test, place a check mark in the Perform Extended Testing (takes considerably more time) box, and click the Test button.
Ending a Test in Process
You can stop any test in process by clicking the Stop Testing button.
Quitting the Apple Hardware Test
Once you finish using the Apple Hardware Test, you can quit the test by clicking either the Restart or Shut Down button.
Apple Hardware Test Error Codes
The error codes generated by the Apple Hardware Test tend to be cryptic at best, and are meant for Apple service technicians. Many of the error codes have become well known, however, and the following list should be helpful:
| Error Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 4AIR | AirPort wireless card |
| 4ETH | Ethernet |
| 4HDD | Hard disk (includes SSD) |
| 4IRP | Logic board |
| 4MEM | Memory module (RAM) |
| 4MHD | External disk |
| 4MLB | Logic board controller |
| 4MOT | Fans |
| 4PRC | Processor |
| 4SNS | Failed sensor |
| 4YDC | Video/Graphics card |
Most of the above error codes indicate a failure of the related component and may require having a technician look at your Mac, to determine the cause and the cost for a repair. But before you send your Mac off to a shop, try resetting the PRAM as well as resetting the SMC. This can be helpful for some errors, including logic board and fan problems.
You can perform additional troubleshooting for memory (RAM), hard disk, and external disk problems. In the case of a drive, whether internal or external, you can try to repair it using Disk Utility (which is included with OS X), or a third-party app, such as Drive Genius.
If your Mac has user-serviceable RAM modules, try cleaning and reseating the RAM. Remove the RAM, use a pencil eraser to clean the RAM modules' contacts, and then reinstall the RAM. Once the RAM is reinstalled, run the Apple Hardware Test again, using the extended testing option. If you still have memory issues, you may need to replace the RAM.
Published: 2/13/2014
Updated: 1/20/2015
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