Numerous keyboard shortcut combinations are available on macOS to assist with various maintenance and troubleshooting tasks. One way to do all these things and much more is to boot into recovery mode. 

Regretfully, if Command + R is not functional on a Mac, none of these options will be accessible. You will see a blank screen or your normal login window turned dark in place of the Mac recovery mode. Finding the best fixes for the Command + R problem can be difficult. Here mentioned are the different steps to troubleshoot the command +R problems on your Mac: 

Why Does Command R Not Operate on Mac? 

Just like with nearly every other problem, there isn’t a single identifiable cause for the issue. A few potential explanations for why you might not be able to boot into Recovery Mode are listed below: 

  • Incorrect or inappropriate use of the shortcut key combination. 
  • Bluetooth problems with wireless keyboards.
  • Keyboard physical damage. 
  • Corruption of a Mac or hard disk. 
  • Corruption in NVRAM. 
  • Bugs in macOS.

It is better to appoint data recovery services for better backup.

Method 1: Examine and Fix the Keyboard 

The Command R depends on keys that work properly, and a broken keyboard is likely why your Mac isn’t responding to this command. This common problem with Bluetooth keyboards could be caused by physical damage or connectivity problems. 

Ensure the keyboard is within Bluetooth range and the batteries haven’t gone out if you use a Bluetooth keyboard. Also, if you can boot your Mac, update the Bluetooth driver. If not, try the keyboard on a different computer. 

When using a wired keyboard, connectivity issues are uncommon. Check the cord for physical damage, just in case, and use a separate USB port to connect the keyboard. When swapping out the keyboard and USB port proves to be ineffective, it is time to move on to the next solution.

Method 2: Reset NVRAM and PRAM 

Small storage areas called NVRAM and PRAM hold important data about your Mac, facilitating a quicker bootup time. NVRAM and PRAM store your previous macOS configurations, such as brightness, time, and resolution, instead of requiring you to set them up each time you turn it on. 

  • Press the Power button while holding down the Command, Option, P, and R keys. 
  • Holding down these four keys will cause the Mac to restart twice. 

It is the most commonly used Mac recovery mode. Mac stuck on Apple logo issues are frequently resolved with an NVRAM or PRAM reset. Try turning your Mac off again and running Command R if it displays the Apple logo when you switch it on. 

Method 3: Reset The SMC

The Intel Mac processor, known as the System Management Controller, or SMC for short, controls the external parts of Mac computers, including the power supply, battery charger, LED lights, and cooling fans. You can help your Mac boot up and fix power-related problems by resetting the SMC. 

An Intel-based iMac machine that won’t start up can be fixed by resetting the SMC as follows: 

  • To begin, take the cable out and put it back in. 
  • To activate the feature, press Control + Shift + Option. Once you have released all three keys, click the Power button. 
  • For roughly ten seconds, hold onto the buttons and the keys. 
  • Your Mac computer’s hardware components will be given a new lease of life by resetting the SMC and releasing the keys and the Power button. 

Method 4: Use Disk Utility to Repair the Drive

Apple offers Disk Utility for Mac recovery mode to solve numerous Mac-related issues. This built-in tool assists you in diagnosing and resolving problems related to both internal and external hard drives. You can manage and format hard drives, partitions, and external devices with Disk Utility, among other things. 

When your Command R stops working, utilize Disk Utility instead of Recovery Mode if your Mac can still boot up. Here’s how to use the Mac’s Disk Utility to fix the drive: 

  • Navigate to Disk Utility under Finder > Go > Utilities. 
  • To view your devices, click the View icon at the top.
  • From the left sidebar, choose the disk that needs repair. 
  • Hit Run after selecting First Aid. Disk Utility will diagnose the problem. 

Method 5: Make Another Attempt to Boot into Recovery Mode. 

A quick reboot can fix a momentary issue in the system. Restarting your Mac will not solve the problem. Instead, completely shut it down and turn it back on. After that, try booting into Recovery Mode once again. 

Summing It Up: 

Recovery Squad is the best option for recovering lost data. As we provide the best possible client service, we aim to increase the likelihood of a successful Mac data recovery. Our comprehension extends to the significance of digital data and the aftermath of its disappearance, be it vital corporate records or priceless family images. Make use of our service to acquire major benefits.