MacBook Air: Using Apple Hardware Test

Note: to run Apple Hardware Test, make sure the power adapter is connected to your computer.

To use Apple Hardware Test on your MacBook Air:

1. Disconnect all external devices from your computer except the power adapter.
2. Restart your MacBook Air while holding down the "D" key.
3. When the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen appears, select the language for your location.
4. Press the Return key or click the right arrow button.
5. When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears (after about 45 seconds), follow the onscreen instructions.
6. If Apple Hardware Test detects an issue, it displays an error code. Make a note of the error code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test doesn't detect a hardware issue, the issue may be software related.

If this method does not work for your MacBook Air, use additional methods below to run Apple Hardware Test.

To run Apple Hardware Test from Lion Internet Recovery on a MacBook Air (Mid 2011) and later.

Beginning with the MacBook Air (Mid 2011) you can remotely start up your computer from an Internet-based Apple Hardware Test. If the copy of Apple Hardware Test on your hard drive does not start, your computer will look for AHT on the Internet.  This feature requires a DHCP Internet connection, either wired (using the USB to Ethernet adapter, sold separately) or wireless:

1. Press and hold the D keys while the computer starts up.
2. Release the keys when the Apple logo appears.
3. If you are using a Wi-Fi connection, select a wireless network from the menu that appears.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to test built-in hardware.
5. If Apple Hardware Test detects an issue, it displays an error code. Make a note of the code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test doesn't detect a hardware issue, the issue may be software related.

To run Apple Hardware Test from a MacBook Air Software Reinstall Drive on a MacBook Air (Late 2010):

1. Disconnect all external devices from your computer.
2. Insert the MacBook Air Software Reinstall Drive directly into the USB port on your MacBook Air.
3. Restart your MacBook Air while pressing and holding the "D" key.
4. When the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen appears, select your language.
5. Press the Return key or click the right arrow.
6. When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears (after about 45 seconds), follow the onscreen instructions.
7. If Apple Hardware Test detects an issue, it displays an error code. Make a note of the code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test doesn't detect a hardware issue, the issue may be software related.

To run Apple Hardware Test from a MacBook Air SuperDrive (or other external USB optical drive) on a MacBook Air (Original), MacBook Air (Late 2008), or MacBook Air (Mid 2009):

1. Disconnect all external devices from your computer except the external USB optical drive.
2. Insert the Mac OS X disc into the optical disc drive.
3. Restart your MacBook Air while holding down the "D" key.
4. When the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen appears, select your language.
5. Press the Return key or click the right arrow.
6. When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears (after about 45 seconds), follow the onscreen instructions.
7. If Apple Hardware Test detects an issue, it displays an error code. Make a note of the code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test doesn't detect a hardware issue, the issue may be software related.

To run Apple Hardware Test remotely from another computer to a MacBook Air (Original), MacBook Air (Late 2008), or MacBook Air (Mid 2009):

1. Make sure to install Remote Install Mac OS X on the other computer.
2. Insert the Mac OS X Disc into the optical disc drive of the other computer. 
   • For Intel-based Apple computers shipping with Mac OS X v10.5.4 or earlier, Apple Hardware Test is located on the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 and should be included with your computer.
   • For Intel-based Apple computers shipping with Mac OS X v10.5.5 or later, Apple Hardware Test is located on the Applications Install Disc 2 and should be included with your computer.
3. If your other computer is a Mac, open /Applications/Utilities/Remote Install Mac OS X. On Windows, choose "Remote Install Mac OS X" from the Install Assistant.
4. Read the introduction and hold down the Option key while you click Continue in Remote Install Mac OS X to launch Apple Hardware Test.
5. On your MacBook Air, when the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen appears, select the language for your location.
6. Press the Return key or click the right arrow button.
7. When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears (after about 45 seconds), follow the onscreen instructions.
   If Apple Hardware Test detects an issue, it displays an error code. Make a note of the error code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test doesn’t detect a hardware issue, the issue may be software related.
8. On the other computer, click Quit to exit Remote Install Mac OS X. If you see a message saying the MacBook Air will be disconnected, click Quit Anyway.