Mac Prohibitory Symbol on Startup Screen Mac🚫[4 Fixes]

Are you wary of the Mac Prohibitory Symbol? If you are fretting about what to do, relax! We have discussed multiple solutions in this guide to resolve the problem. These include resetting SMC and NVRAM, booting via the Recovery Mode, and more!

Introduction: Mac Prohibitory Symbol on Startup Screen🚫

Do you see a red circle with a slash "🚫" while your Mac boots up? That is the universal symbol indicating prohibition. It means the system has failed to access vital files on the disk and prohibits your entry into the system. It is one of the most wildly reported boot-up issues on Mac.

Are you wondering what the Mac Prohibitory Symbol is? The circle with a line through its Mac flashes when the system fails to locate a bootable macOS installation. Various reasons can lead to the occurrence of this error. Luckily, there are multiple solutions available too.

This guide will discuss Mac Prohibitory Symbol and how to fix this boot-up problem via different solutions.

Why Does a "Mac Prohibitory Symbol" Error Occur

Multiple causes explain the occurrence of the "Mac Prohibitory Symbol" Error. Let's take a look -

• 🗃️File system corruption: One of the primary reasons for the occurrence of the Mac Prohibitory Symbol is corrupted system files. It is vital to get rid of these files immediately as they may damage the system in the future.
• 💻MacBook startup errors: Another reason that can cause this problem is errors related to the system's startup. Another error can trigger this particular issue.
• 🔚macOS hasn't finished updating: If your latest update has finished mid-way, that might lead to this problem. In that case, updating the macOS is a must.
• 💽The external disk is not working correctly: Have you checked your external disk? Sometimes, the external disk can malfunction and lead to this error.

Solutions: How to Fix Circle with Line Through It Mac

Are you anxious to fix the "Mac Prohibitory Symbol" Error? We understand that the occurrence of the circle with a line through the Mac icon might cause concern. However, there are several solutions one can apply. Take a look -

• 00:29 - Disk Utility - First Aid
• 00:41 - iFixit KEXT article
• 01:31 - Booting into USB drive with macOS installed
• 03:36 - Moving the KEXT files
• 04:50 - Rebooting

Method 1. Reinstall macOS

The simplest solution is to get rid of the previously existing macOS and reinstall it. You can reinstall macOS from the Recovery Mode.

Here are the steps to follow –

Step 1. Restart your device.

Step 2. Press Command and R keys and hold them.

Step 3. When you come across the Apple logo, release the keys.

Step 4. Click on the "Options logo" to open the "Utilities" window

Step 4. From the macOS Utilities window, select the "Reinstall macOS" option.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Method 2. Repair the Macintosh with Disk Utility

Another effective method of fixing the Mac Prohibitory Symbol error is to use Disk Utility. Wondering how? Don't worry! We will explain it right here.

First Aid (present within Disk Utility) can scan the system and locate the issue. If possible, it can also repair the errors and resolve the problem.

To run First Aid, check out these steps –

Step 1. Restart MacBook and hold the Command R keys together to boot into Recovery mode.

Step 2. Select "Options" and click on"Disk Utility"

Step 3. Select View in the upper-left corner.

Step 4. Click on "Show All Devices".

Step 5. You will see a list of disks and volumes.

Step 6. Select the disk you want to scan.

Step 7. Choose "First Aid".

Step 8. Tap the "Run" button.

Step 9. Wait till the process is completed.

Method 4. Reset the SMC and NVRAM/PRAM

You can also reset SMC and NVRAM to resolve the Mac Prohibitory Symbol problem. However, the steps vary depending on the model you have.

To reset the SMC on a Mac with T2 security, you need to follow these steps –

Step 1. Shut down the system.

Step 2. Press the power button and hold it.

Step 3. Restart it.

That should reset the SMC. However, if that doesn't work, you must press the right Shift key, left Control key, and the left Option key and hold them simultaneously. At the same time, hold and press the Power button. After some time, release the keys and restart the system.

If you have an M2 or M1 Mac, you don't need to worry about resetting the SMC. That is because these models do not have the SMC. Now, in the case of resetting NVRAM or PRAM, there is no need for resetting it. That is because it happens on its own when the system is restarted.

However, for older systems, you need to follow these steps to reset NVRAM/PRAM –

Step 1. Shut down the system.

Step 2. Press the power key.

Step 3. Now, simultaneously press the option, command, R, and P keys.

Step 4. Release the keys when you hear the startup chime for the second time.

Method 5. Replace the Damaged Mac Hard Disk

Lastly, you can also replace the damaged hard disk from your system. Buy a suitable hard disk and ensure it is compatible with the system. Now, you can transfer all data to that hard disk and see if the issue is resolved.

Extra Tip: How to Recover Data When Mac Has Boot Issues

Several users report boot issues while operating on the system. Resolving the problem takes time, and thinking of critical data loss is not entirely wrong. In that case, opting for professional data recovery software is essential. For that, you can check out EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

The EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is a powerful data recovery program that aids in the recovery of data lost with ease. Irrespective of data loss, you can get it back without much hassle. These include system crashes, malware attacks, accidental deletion, etc. Besides, the software's user-friendly interface makes it perfect for novice users.

Highlights:

• Easy-to-use interface
• It can recover audio, video, image, etc.
• Scan Mode to locate and retrieve files Mac quickly
• Remote IT support

Do you want to use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac? For that, check out the steps listed below -

Step 1. Search for lost files

Select the disk location to search for lost files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device) on macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and the latest Sonoma. Click the "Search for lost files" button.

Step 2. Go through the scanning results

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results.

Step 3. Select the file(s) and recover

In the scan results, select the file(s) to preview and click the "Recover" button to have them back.

Final Words

Do you see a Prohibitory symbol while booting up the system? If that happens repeatedly, your system is facing some bootup-related error. It is vital to get the issue fixed right away. Otherwise, you won't be able to access your Mac.

While attempting to resolve the problem, you might face data loss. Choosing efficient data recovery software is an excellent way to regain your data. The EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is reliable, user-friendly and aids in data recovery with ease.

Check out EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac today!

Mac Prohibitory symbol FAQs

Are you eager to know more about the Mac Prohibitory symbol? In that case, read through the questions and answers listed below -

1. What does the circle with a line through it Mac mean on Mac?

The circle with a line through it, Mac, indicates the Prohibitory symbol. It means the system has failed to access vital files on the disk and prohibits your entry into the system.

2. How do I fix my Mac won't boot from USB?

You can apply multiple solutions to fix Mac failing to boot from USB. For instance, you must create a bootable USB properly. You can also enable the system to boot from an external hard drive.

3. How do I boot into Internet recovery on Mac?

To boot into Internet recovery on Mac, restart the system. Now, press the Option, Command, and R keys. Enter the password if you see the lock icon.

4. What do you do if your Mac won't boot after an update?

If your Mac won't boot after an update, don't worry! Numerous solutions are available such as force restarting the system, using the Recovery Mode, resetting the NVRAM, and more.