MacBook Pro Display Issues:Resolving the Black Screen Problem

In this guide, we’ll cover all possible solutions to fix the MacBook Pro black screen, whether it’s happening after startup, during sleep, or randomly while in use.

Below are the detailed troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the MacBook Pro black screen problem.

1. Check Screen Brightness

The simplest solution is to check if your screen brightness is turned all the way down.

• Step 1: Press the F1 key (brightness down) and then press the F2 key (brightness up) to see if your display is just dimmed.

If this doesn’t work, move on to the next steps.

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2. Perform a Force Restart

A force restart can resolve many temporary software glitches that may cause a black screen.

• Step 1: Press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds until the MacBook Pro shuts down.
• Step 2: Wait a few seconds, then press the Power button again to turn it back on.

This often resolves issues where the screen goes black due to a system glitch.

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3. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)

Resetting the SMC can fix problems related to power, battery, and display issues.

• Step 1: Shut down your MacBook Pro.
• Step 2: On a MacBook with non-removable batteries, press and hold the Shift + Control + Option keys along with the Power button for 10 seconds.
• Step 3: Release all keys and press the Power button to turn your MacBook Pro back on.

For older MacBook Pro models with removable batteries, you can remove the battery, press the power button for 10 seconds, and then reconnect the battery before restarting.

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4. Reset NVRAM/PRAM

NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) and PRAM (parameter random-access memory) store important settings for your Mac, including display configurations. Resetting it can resolve display issues.

• Step 1: Turn off your MacBook Pro.
• Step 2: Turn it back on and immediately press and hold the Option + Command + P + R keys.
• Step 3: Hold the keys for about 20 seconds, during which your Mac may restart.

This resets your display settings and may fix the black screen issue.

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5. Boot into Safe Mode

Booting your MacBook Pro in Safe Mode can help determine if a software or third-party app is causing the issue.

• Step 1: Shut down your MacBook.
• Step 2: Turn it back on while holding the Shift key.
• Step 3: Release the key when you see the Apple logo and wait for your Mac to boot into Safe Mode.

If the screen works fine in Safe Mode, the issue may be related to incompatible software or corrupted system files.

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6. Check External Displays

If you use an external monitor, check if your MacBook Pro is defaulting to the external display instead of the internal one.

• Step 1: Disconnect any external monitors or peripherals.
• Step 2: Press Command + F2 (the display mirroring shortcut) to switch display outputs.

If the external display is connected properly, check your display preferences to ensure the MacBook screen is the primary display.

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7. Reset Power Settings

Power settings can sometimes cause display issues. You can reset them using this method:

• Step 1: Go to System Preferences > Energy Saver.
• Step 2: Adjust settings like Sleep and Display Off timers.

You can also try resetting these to default by turning off Automatic Graphics Switching if it’s enabled.

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8. Disable Automatic Graphics Switching

MacBook Pro models with dedicated and integrated graphics can experience issues with automatic graphics switching. Disabling it can resolve the black screen problem:

• Step 1: Go to System Preferences > Energy Saver.
• Step 2: Uncheck the box next to Automatic Graphics Switching.

This ensures the MacBook Pro uses one type of graphics at a time, which may fix the issue.

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9. Check Battery Health

If your MacBook Pro’s battery is failing, it may result in power issues and a black screen. You can check the battery health by:

• Step 1: Hold the Option key and click the battery icon in the menu bar.
• Step 2: Review the battery status. If it says “Replace Soon” or “Service Battery,” it’s time for a replacement.

Charging your MacBook while trying the solutions above can also help if the battery is too low to power the display.

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10. Reinstall macOS

If your black screen problem persists, there may be an issue with macOS. Reinstalling the operating system can fix corrupted system files.

• Step 1: Restart your MacBook in Recovery Mode by pressing Command + R during startup.
• Step 2: Select Reinstall macOS from the macOS Utilities menu.
• Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation.

Make sure to back up your data before proceeding with this step.

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11. Run Apple Diagnostics

If you suspect a hardware issue, run Apple Diagnostics to check for any hardware problems that could be causing the black screen.

• Step 1: Turn off your MacBook Pro.
• Step 2: Turn it back on while holding the D key until the diagnostics screen appears.
• Step 3: Follow the prompts to run the test.

This will identify any potential hardware issues, which may need professional repair.

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Conclusion

A MacBook Pro black screen can be caused by various factors, but by following these troubleshooting steps, you can likely resolve the issue without needing a professional technician. Whether it’s a simple brightness adjustment, a system reset, or more in-depth solutions like reinstalling macOS, these fixes should help get your MacBook Pro back to normal. If none of these solutions work, it may be time to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service provider to investigate hardware problems.