Follow the prompts once Diagnostics opens
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On macOS 26 Tahoe or later, you'll also see the available diagnostic choices and can select the test that matches the problem you're investigating.
Key facts
- Be aware that Intel Macs can't run macOS 27 Golden Gate, so their time is limited
- Macs running macOS 26 Tahoe or later can offer individual diagnostics for hardware such as the built-in display, keyboard or trackpad
- On macOS 26 Tahoe or later, you'll also see the available diagnostic choices and can select the test that matches the problem you're investigating
- Apple Support or a repair technician can also start an online Apple Diagnostics session in some cases
Summary
If your MacBook is having major hardware problems, the Apple Diagnostics menu can help make sense of what's wrong. A MacBook that keeps shutting down, develops display problems or suddenly stops recognizing its keyboard can leave you guessing whether the problem is hardware or software. Before you get there, you need to know which type of MacBook you have, since the startup process differs between them. An older model may instead show Processor followed by an Intel chip. The experience inside Apple Diagnostics depends on your version of macOS, too. Before running the test, Apple recommends installing available macOS updates if your MacBook is usable enough to do so.