Flashing folder with question mark on MacBook Pro running macOS Monterey

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moussa271 Author

Level 1

4 points

Flashing folder with question mark on MacBook Pro running macOS Monterey

My MacBook Pro (2015) running macOS Monterey won’t start up — I get a flashing folder with a question mark on boot.

I’ve tried booting into macOS Recovery using Option + Command + R, but I’m unable to do any of the following:

Reinstall macOS Monterey
Restore from Time Machine
Access Safari
See any internal or external drives in Disk Utility (even with “Show All Devices” enabled)

Disk Utility shows internal SSD or any external drive I connect. But not able access.

Has anyone experienced this? Is it likely a failed SSD or something else? Any suggestions on how to proceed

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: moussa271

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Jul 31, 2025 1:07 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

139,835 points

Aug 1, 2025 7:58 AM in response to moussa271

If the Physical Device is Present in Disk Utility and

shows a reasonable, non-Zero size/capacity, but

... stays grayed out, it may need RepairDisk/FirstAid to work again.

Select in order and run RepairDisk/FirstAid on:

the physical device

the Container-Disk

each and every Volume

if it comes clean, it may work again.

if it fixes anything, run it again.

If it gets stuck and cannot fix all the damage:

A) If you have a trusted backup:

it may need to be completely ERASED, re-installed with a good macOS, and your files restored from backups.

B) If you do NOT have a trusted backup,

DO NOT ERASE --you will need to use an external drive and attempt to rescue some files.

Please let readers know what happens.

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Answer 2

WheelieNick

Level 8

45,845 points

Jul 31, 2025 3:08 AM in response to moussa271

What is happening if in disk utility, you go to your internal disk and try to enable it by option clicking on it and select enable?

It is an intel mac, so before trying anything else try and reset the NVRAM and SMC. If that is not working, it is most likely a failed SSD

How to reset NVRAM

Shut down your Mac.
Turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, R.
Release the keys after about 20 seconds, during which your Mac might appear to restart. For example, you might hear a startup sound more than once, or see the Apple logo more than once.
When your Mac finishes starting up, you might need to adjust any system settings that were reset.

How to reset the SMC

Laptops (no T2 chip) with non-removable batteries: Shut down and unplug your Mac. On the built-in keyboard, press and hold the Shift, Option, and Control keys on the left side and press the power button and hold all of these down for 10 seconds, then release the keys. Connect the power adapter and then turn the Mac on normally.

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Answer 3

moussa271 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 31, 2025 10:32 PM in response to WheelieNick

Thanks for the detailed steps. When I go to Disk Utility and option-click the internal disk to enable it, nothing seems to change—it stays grayed out and unmounted.

I’ll go ahead and try resetting the NVRAM and SMC as you suggested since it's an Intel Mac. If that doesn’t help, I’ll assume the SSD may have failed and look into replacement options.

Appreciate the guidance!

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