MacBook stuck on the login screen

Frustrated that your MacBook is stuck at the login screen? Although odd, this annoying issue isn't entirely uncommon.

If you've been searching the internet for a possible solution, look no further — these simple tips will help you solve it. Let's get your Mac back up and running.

What to do when your Mac is stuck on the login screen 

If your Mac is frozen on the startup screen or after you've entered your password, you might experience one of the following:

• Continuous login loading bar

• Frozen Apple logo 

• A spinning wheel on the Startup screen 

• Frozen screen after you enter your password

The cause is usually hard to pin down from the symptom alone, which is why the steps below will walk you through the likely culprits in order rather than guessing at one.

Thankfully, it's a well-known problem, and there's plenty we can do to solve it. But before we get started, make sure you've tried a quick Mac restart and checked that there isn't an issue with your power cable. If your Mac is one you can still log into sometimes, back it up while you have access. Then, work your way through the troubleshooting tips below.

Mac is stuck on login screen after entering password

1. Remove all connected peripherals

If you've got multiple external devices connected, these could be the reason why your MacBook Pro is frozen on the login screen. Disconnect everything safely, then press the power button until your Mac shuts down, and try logging in again.

2. Boot up in safe mode

Safe mode can help you identify and resolve software issues that occur on launch, so this is a great way to solve the frozen login screen. Here's how to boot your Mac in safe mode for different Mac models.

A Mac with Apple silicon

• Shut down your Mac from the main Apple menu.
• Once completely powered off, hold down the power button, only releasing it when Loading Startup Options appears.
• Now, select your desired volume.
• Hold down the Shift key and press Continue in safe mode.
• Now, your Mac will restart. Notice Safe Boot in the menu bar.

An Intel-based Mac

• Restart or turn on your Mac while holding the Shift key until the login window appears.
• Log into your Mac (you might be requested to do this twice).
• You'll see Safe Boot in the menu bar.

3. Manage your login items

If the problem still persists, remove any unneeded login items and launch agents that boot up every time you start your Mac.

Apple documents login items as a cause of startup problems — occasionally one can leave a Mac stuck during startup — and testing them is the documented way to find out whether one is behind it.

You can give your Mac some extra room to breathe by removing them. If you can reach the desktop (say, in safe mode), CleanMyMac's Performance feature lists them in one place.  

It shows you login items and launch agents so that you can see what starts up as you boot your MacBook. You can use it to turn off those you no longer need. If you haven't already, you can test CleanMyMac for 7 days — get your free trial here.

• Open the application and click Performance > Scan.
• Click View All Items.
• Review Login Items and remove those you no longer need.
• Repeat for Background Items.

4. Check for malware

Malware gets more sophisticated by the day. If you've tried all the above solutions, but it keeps happening, it's time to check for malicious software.

macOS includes XProtect, which detects and removes known malware and updates its signatures automatically. A dedicated scanner is a second opinion on top of it, not a replacement for it.

The application I just mentioned, CleanMyMac, has the Protection feature that also offers in-depth malware scanning and instant removal.

The handy Menu App gives you an instant overview of the last file scanned, any threats running in the background, and the current protection status.

1. Press the application's Menu icon (iMac icon) in your top menu bar.

2. Under Protection, press Check Now to run an instant scan and see your Mac's status.

MacBook won't let me log in with the right password 

If you are certain your password is correct, but your Mac won't accept it, not all hope is lost. Try these solutions.

1. Check the basics first

Before resetting anything, rule out the simple causes Apple lists. Check whether Caps Lock is on — the password field shows a Caps Lock symbol when it is. Check the Input menu in the corner of the login window so the keyboard is set to the right language. And make sure you are entering your Mac login password, not your Apple Account password.

If the password is still refused, enter it up to three times: macOS then offers the reset options it has for your Mac.

• If a question mark appears next to the password field, click it. You may see a password hint (if you set one) or a reset message.
• If you see no reset message and no question mark, check again after entering your password up to three times, then follow whichever reset option macOS presents.
• Enter your Apple Account details or the recovery key, then continue.
• Follow the onscreen instructions.

Tip: If no reset message appears after three attempts, restart your Mac and try again. If it still does not appear, you can reset the password from macOS Recovery — our guide to resetting an admin password walks through that route.

2. If macOS asks for your FileVault recovery key

Only if the reset option macOS shows you is the recovery-key one. It means the 24-character FileVault key you saved when you turned FileVault on, not an Apple Account recovery key, which will not work here.

• Select Reset it using your recovery key from the drop-down.
• Enter your recovery key and press Next.
• Now, follow the onscreen instructions.

Hopefully, these tips have solved your MacBook stuck on login screen issue. Once you can log in again, it is worth setting up regular backups so a future startup problem costs you nothing.