If the gray screen issue persists with no devices connected, go to the next section (with the peripherals still disconnected). Also, try a different USB port on your Mac. Try starting with no keyboard and mouse connected, then connect them after start up. If you are using a desktop Mac with a third-party keyboard and/or mouse device, and the issue still occurs, try starting up with an Apple keyboard and mouse connected instead.Note: If you have multiple peripheral devices and the issue only occurs when they are all connected, but not when each device is the only peripheral connected, see the Additional Information section below. Try a different cable with the device if possible (such as a different USB or FireWire cable). Check with the manufacturer of the device for support or possible software driver or firmware updates that may be available for the device. Make sure the device is powered if it needs to be to operate correctly. Repeat the process until you locate the device at issue. Connect one device, then restart your Mac to test for the issue. If you can start up this way, one or more of your peripheral devices (or installed software related to the device) is probably causing the gray screen issue.Disconnect all peripheral devices such as external hard drives or printers (leave only the display, a keyboard, and mouse connected).If necessary, hold your Mac's power button for several seconds to force it to power down.

Note: 'Peripheral devices' refers to external devices other than what came with your Mac, such as hard drives, printers, or hubs that you connect via a USB or FireWire cable. Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startupĭisconnect, test peripheral devices and network cables I would recommend the troubleshooting from the following article to help you get that resolved, named: It sounds like you are are not able to boot your Mac successfully at this point and you get stuck as a screen with a spinning wheel.

Imac spinning wheel at start up