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I purchased a Late-2011 MacBook Pro 15" used a month ago. At the time of purchase, I successfully ran the Apple Hardware Test.

I've since installed a new SSD and aftermarket RAM. The computer appears to be functioning normally (I'm typing this post on it), but I'd like to run the full hardware test to verify everything is OK.

But I can't seem to get it to load into the hardware test. I've tried holding down D before pressing the power button on as well as right before the grey screen comes up. I'm confused because I've done this before without any problems.

Is there something obvious I'm doing wrong or is there a way I can check for problems that would stop the AHT from starting?

Additional info by @gentmatt:

The last time I have performed the Apple Hardware Test, my MacBook Pro was running 10.7.2. As of today, I'm running 10.7.3.

The AHT loaded even after I had installed my custom SSD and RAM. But not this time.

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    Honestly, AHT is useless junk. It's not worth your time stressing over it not working.
    – Dan Barrett
    Commented Apr 29, 2012 at 12:46
  • I suppose AHT has some uses, but mostly I just want the time back I spent trying to use it and then trying to see what the messages mean if it actually finds something (or dealing with the occasional false positive result.) Or what @DanBarrett said.
    – bmike ♦
    Commented Dec 6, 2012 at 2:03
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    I'll just leave it here, cause that's what helped me in the long run. I tried it all, D, cmd-D, option-D, nothing worked, until I stumbled on this link: github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest. After installing missing AHT files, just pressing D worked on my MacPro5,1.
    – favoretti
    Commented May 27, 2015 at 5:16
  • ^^^ This comment should be the accepted solution.
    – hyperknot
    Commented Mar 20, 2018 at 0:47
  • What irritates me is that it is not clear if D is shift+d or just d. If it's shift+d why doesn't anybody name it like that :(
    – Trace
    Commented Jul 20, 2018 at 15:03

14 Answers 14

Reset to default
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Pressing ⌥+D right after pressing the power button and before the gray screen appears works on my late-2011 15" MBP. This forces an internet-based hardware test, which will work even if you've lost the the local hardware test software. (It will probably work over WiFi, but you have more chance of success with ethernet.)

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    It does also work over WiFi
    – joscas
    Commented May 2, 2014 at 19:35
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    I have a iMac mid-2011, boot failing - and it's not the 'D' that Apple says, but Option-D that starts the H/W Test. I can connect by Ethernet or WiFi.
    – JezC
    Commented Oct 23, 2014 at 12:14
  • Can confirm it works over wifi and is quick to download (couple of minutes on a not particularly fast cable connection).
    – Foliovision
    Commented Aug 28, 2016 at 20:10
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Same thing here (similar model MBP, same mods). Learned that Option+D does the trick. However, if you get what I see, the AHT fires up and then says that it doesn't support this model of machine. No funny business, it's an Apple MBP (no hackintosh here), but I added a OCZ Vertex 3 and I've tried pre-8GB RAM kit (stock) and post, no difference.

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    I get this exact same issue: "AHT does not support this machine." I think this means you're supposed to run apple diagnostics, but for some reason have AHT installed instead.
    – Zach
    Commented Mar 10, 2014 at 18:19
  • Option-D worked for me as well on an early 2011 MBP 17 inch. I've got after sales RAM and a Samsung 840 512 GB SSD in there and had not trouble getting to Apple Hardware Test.
    – Foliovision
    Commented Aug 28, 2016 at 20:09
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Its Option + D that works for me. Macbook Pro, Late 2011 model running Mavericks.

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I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro 13", which I first replaced the hard drive (totally blank and repartitioned), then installed Mountain Lion, then upgraded to Mavericks.

There appear to be two parts to the problem:

1) Swapping out a raw hard drive causes the loss of a hidden diagnostics/recovery partition (that I never bothered to look for, and which doesn't appear to be visible using Disk Utility.

2) The Apple KB article for Apple Hardware Test - http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201257 - appears to be incorrect. The correct sequence to invoke the AHT is:

OPTION-D during a restart.

Performing a restart and holding OPTION-D eventually produced a "Internet Recovery" screen, and then automatically started the AHT by itself (the quaint, OS9-styled screen).

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  • Option-D and entering my wifi password did the trick. Cool OS 8 look.
    – Foliovision
    Commented Aug 28, 2016 at 20:06
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Click on your embedded link again - the answer is just beyond the instructions for the "normal" startup method that you've been unsuccessful with:

Additional Information
Apple Hardware Test is included on the DVDs that are shipped with some Macintosh computers. If the copy on your hard drive becomes unavailable, use the DVDs to run Apple Hardware Test.

That should get you going.

If you are running Lion and do not have install DVDs, try re-installing your old RAM (assuming you have it) and running AHT.

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    I would bet that many people have inadvertently erased their HD based diagnostics without realizing it. Thanks for pointing out the need to use the original media when the expected keys are not summoning AHT at boot.
    – bmike ♦
    Commented Nov 12, 2012 at 12:52
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Just to check, do you have internet access when you are doing the hardware test? According to you link

An Internet-enabled connection via Ethernet or Wi-Fi is required to use this feature.

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  • The problem is - for me at least - that it won't boot into the AHT, not that I can't connect.
    – Dave
    Commented Apr 13, 2012 at 14:49
  • The last time that I've done the AHT, an Internet connection was established via Wi-Fi. But this time, neither Wi-Fi nor ethernet will work.
    – gentmatt
    Commented Apr 13, 2012 at 17:02
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Had the same problem listed here on my iMac Pro, and it turns out that if you have a firmware password set, then the hardware diagnostics system won't work at all, and there is no indication of this, but a nice fellow named Felix from Apple was able to suss that out with me.

To disable firmware password or check its status, you need to restart the system while holding down Cmd+R. Note: If a firmware password is set, a screen will show and ask you to input the password. Once you do that, you're greeted with various options like Disk Utility or Install macOS. Ignore them and follow the instructions below:

  • Select Utilities > Startup Security Utility from the menu bar
  • Select Enter macOS Password and enter your Mac’s admin password (for newer macs/macOS)
  • Select Turn Off Firmware Password
  • Enter the current firmware password
  • Exit the Startup Security Utility.
  • Open the Apple menu and select Restart to exit macOS Recovery.
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    @JoyJin I didn't verify the answer, I just edited it :-) But you are right, the linked page describes the wrong thing.
    – nohillside ♦
    Commented Mar 25, 2022 at 12:39
  • Eliot, please list the instructions required to disable the Firmware password.
    – nohillside ♦
    Commented Mar 25, 2022 at 12:41
  • @JoyJin Well, I'm not going to reboot my Mac just to verify :-) But they look ok, thanks.
    – nohillside ♦
    Commented Mar 25, 2022 at 13:10
  • The solution entered looks correct to me, as in that is what I recall I encountered when I did it. I thought the link I provided was correct, but in any case, when you get into the recovery mode, you want to find where it directs you to set your firmware security. Also note: you will know right away if this could be the issue, because, as the editor wrote, you will see a password screen. Specifically, there will be a gray padlock icon with a field below it. I believe it's your root admin pwd, although perhaps it lets you use something different, in which case hopefully you wrote it down.
    – Eliot Hochberg
    Commented Mar 26, 2022 at 7:22
  • Here is the official Apple link to the necessary instructions: support.apple.com/en-us/HT204455
    – Eliot Hochberg
    Commented Mar 26, 2022 at 7:23
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The Apple KB article is inaccurate. After many unsuccessful attempts to launch the Apple Hardware Test on my MacBook Pro Early 2011 15",I discovered you need to hold Command + D during startup, not just D.

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  • This does not work on my MBP.
    – gentmatt
    Commented Apr 14, 2012 at 6:32
  • David wasn't paying attention. As others have noted, it's not plain D, it's not command-D but option-D on 2011 MBP (mine is a 17 inch).
    – Foliovision
    Commented Aug 28, 2016 at 20:08
  • Command-D didn't work for me. As for option-D, according to apple, option-D is for loading it over the Internet. Alas, that's not working either, at least for me. Single-user (command-S) and verbose mode (command-V) both work. I wish they had a menu option, to choose what to do from there.
    – lindes
    Commented Feb 17, 2018 at 5:21
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Most Early Macs - PRE 2011 or 10.6.3 White Retail Disk(one that came w/your Mac) installed FIRST..BEFORE Booting up w/D-Key pressed!

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    This might be better as an edit to make the existing answer that says boot with the D key pressed more complete
    – bmike ♦
    Commented Nov 12, 2012 at 12:53
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    Could you please rephrase your post? I have a hard time understanding it.
    – gentmatt
    Commented Nov 12, 2012 at 14:31
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I ran into similar situation with my mid 2011 mac-mini (with non mac keyboard/mouse & aftermarket updated RAM). After pressing 'D' at startup it searches for internet, eventually asking to select wi-fi connection (no available connections displayed though). There's an option to specify wi-fi access point name & password but for me after putting the credentials the wait icon just kept revolving. Thankfully, I got it working using the ethernet cable.

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Struck out with "D" and command+D. Option+D worked for me, too. Late 11 MacBook Pro 15.

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  • I'm also on a 2011 MBP, mine is 17 inch. Option-D during startup got me the hardware test as well. Thanks.
    – Foliovision
    Commented Aug 28, 2016 at 20:07
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Alt+D using a Windows keyboard.

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  • A Windows keyboard does not affect the key combination; could you expand your answer to explain further?
    – grg ♦
    Commented Aug 21, 2014 at 18:11
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    Using a Windows keyboard certain does affect the key combination. A Windows keyboard doesn't have a key that is referred to as "option" Alt+D is the correct combination on a Windows keyboard.
    – andynormancx
    Commented Apr 5, 2015 at 15:57
  • It is and the option key on OS X keyboards also is referred to as the "alt key" or the "alt/option key" in addition to "option key". That's probably why it says "alt" on this important key on most Apple keyboards.
    – MiB
    Commented Feb 29, 2016 at 12:43
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I've had a similar problem whilst trying to run tests on a second hand Mac mini (Late 2014). I tried holding D, alt-D, cmd-D, cmd-R, alt-cmd-R, and two different wired keyboards, but each time the machine would just boot to the normal login screen.

I then reset the SMC (on this machine: unplug power cord, wait 15 secs, replug, wait 5 secs, power on - see Apple's HT201295). And now alt-D boots to Apple Diagnostics (which has replaced AHT for this model), as expected. Also, alt-cmd-R now boots to Internet Recovery (this key combination was also previously being ignored).

Perhaps here, the SMC was holding onto network information from the previous owner and getting thrown by the different network environment in my house until it was reset. Disappointing there were no error messages if that is the case.

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Mid 2012 MBP here. Just bought it and wanted to run AHT. Tried D, CMD D and OPT D, all bring same thing: "Internet Recovery". I have ethernet cable plugged in but it ignores that and wants wifi password (grr). I enter wifi password, then it connects but bugs out with black screen error: https://postimg.cc/HVq0fbZp

(The machine has had an SSD installed and 1TB HDD in drive caddy).

Hoping someone can suggest anything. I really want to verify the hardware is good before I commit to keeping this machine. thanks

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