GoKawiilApple Diagnostics tool helps isolate MacBook hardware faults during startup
Apple offers a built-in tool called Apple Diagnostics that tests a MacBook's internal hardware to determine whether issues like shutdowns, display glitches or keyboard failures stem from hardware or software. The tool isn't found in System Settings but is accessed during the startup sequence, and the steps differ depending on whether the machine uses Apple silicon or an Intel chip. On macOS 26 Tahoe and later, users can run individual tests on components like the display, keyboard or trackpad, while older systems run the full diagnostic automatically.
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As Macs age and hardware failures become harder to diagnose visually, having a native troubleshooting tool saves users time and money before seeking paid repairs. Knowing which chip and macOS version you're running is now essential just to navigate basic Apple support features, reflecting the growing complexity of Apple's diverging hardware lineup.
- Apple Diagnostics is accessed at startup, not through System Settings.
- Users must first identify whether they have an Apple silicon or Intel MacBook.
- macOS 26 Tahoe allows testing individual components like display or keyboard separately.
Apple MacBook Air (M4, 13-inch) — If Apple Diagnostics keeps flagging hardware trouble on an aging machine, the M4 MacBook Air is the natural upgrade. It runs current macOS, so you get the newer per-component diagnostics for the display, keyboard and trackpad built right in.
See Apple MacBook Air (M4, 13-inch) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Novak Božović, 2026-09-05
Published there as: “How to find your MacBook's diagnostic menu”
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