macbook pro turns on but screen stays black — my solution
The Apple Macbook Pro would turn on, but the screen would not. The screen would stay black. I could tell the computer was on because when I hit the “caps lock” key, the green light on the key would turn on and off.
I fixed this the following way (this is basically resetting the Power Management Unit — PMU):
I disconnected the computer from the power cord, and from all other cables.
I held down the power button for several seconds to turn off the computer.
I let it sit 5 minutes.
I restarted the laptop while holding down the Shift key. This restarted the computer in Safe Mode, with the screen visible again.
After I logged in (in Safe Mode) to make sure everything was ok, I simply restarted the computer the normal way, and the screen behaved normally again.
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If that doesn’t work for you, you could try these steps, documented at apple.com:
Holding down Command, Option, P, and R to reset your PRAM and NVRAM
Resetting PowerBook and iBook Power Management Unit (PMU)
This worked on a relatively new Macbook Air, so thanks very much.
Does anybody out there have a good fix to cure slow bootup for
the same machine?
I’m in exam time right now and I’ve been FREAKING OUT the past 12 hours cause I thought that I just lost everything for school and for work! Thanks so much!
This is a new trick to me! before I used the Command, Option, P, and R method and my Mbpro was ok! Now this keeps repeating! one or twice in a week.
Any method to completely avoid this mess?
I have tried everything listed, including Christopher’s suggestion and still no luck! I can still the desktop if I shine a torch n the screen or toggle between F1 and F2. The other day the screen even came on randomly but then when I closed my computer it was gone again. Are there any other suggestions??? The Mac store suggested that I replace the screen completely.
I have very new MacBook Pro — and this recommendation worked exactly as you said it would. Thank you.
Thanks!!!
So refreshing to see a nuts and bolts how to solution.
None of the above worked. so I tried using a different power pack since my battery is dead:(
And that was it I had gotten lazy and was using my Mac Air power cord and it was just not strong enough for the pro :( So if al else fails try More Power…LOL
Thank you so much…. I know nothing about macs & just fixed my daughters thanks to your tip. You’re a GENIUS!!!
thank you so much for this! My screen would not wake up and I was freaking out!
Thanks so much. This worked great. I dropped my computer, and experienced the problem. Resetting the PRAM worked great.
Wow, thanks! This really helped me out.
I’ve tried this so many times and its just not working for me. I know my computer is working, I can still turn up the volume and hear it but the screen is solid black. I just bought this one too after my last Mac wouldn’t turn on at all. I’ve tried restarting the PRAM but idk if anything is happening. I don’t know much about computers but I need it for work and school and can’t afford to replace another one. I’m using a 15′ Mac Pro which has Windows installed. Anymore tips or tricks or ideas? Hopefully I’m doing this right, just hold down shift and then the power button right? :/
I had this same problem and I found out what was wrong. I had my stylus for my iPad next to my laptop. The magnet in the stylus was putting the laptop to sleep. Simple problem with a simple solution that almost gave me a heart attack.
This totally worked for me. Thank you!
Thanks for u r sopport
I just experienced this today and have been trying all steps suggested and nothing works. Keyboard lights on but black screen.
For those who have tried steps and have worked how long did you press buttons to get results? For those who did not did you find another solution. I’m traveling and need it for work. No apple store here.help?!!
I was in Sys Pref/ Display adjusting screen brightness and accidentally clicked the slider on the far left causing it to black out. I tried to undo/ delete . . but it did’t work and I can’t figure out how to reset it. Can’t see a thing . . . any suggestions?
God bless u. Thank u.
Thanks!! I was about to go crazy ;)
Thank you so much. Was gutted when got black screen as need computer for work. Thought it would cost me a fortune and loads of hassle to get fixed. So pleased this worked!
THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!!! I teach and your advice worked and saved my lesson and my time! :)
Thank you. Was about to take to expensive computer shop. Wow! Xoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! Kiss kiss kiss
I tried all of the above to no avail. Read about the magnet keeping screen in sleep mode and decided to unplug the headphones. Screen came right back on. Was scared there for a second!
THANK YOU SO FREEKIN MUCH I WAS GETTING SUICIDAL
Thank you so much. I only bought mine yesterday and it freaked me out a bit that my new laptop wasn’t working!
yayyyyu it worked !
All I did was turn it off and turn it back on.
Works for me today. I can’t tell how grateful i am. Thank you so much. Cheers from france.
Thank you!!!!!! It worked. I was about to go to the genius bar for help.
I have same problem but I’m go to apple store . They tell me must be change my MacBook Pro MB……. , cus my CPU is no funtion ….anyone can tell me how to fix my MacBook Pro back?
Somewhere in Macbook heaven there is a place waiting for you…. Thanks for the tip, wouldnt have found it on my own :)
@colin
You said ‘after logging in (in safe mode)to make sure everything was okay … What do you check to see if everything is okay?
Well, I just check that all basic functions that a basic user would want, still work: such as: volume control, brightness control, wifi/ethernet, all keys on keyboard, usb ports, etc….
-Colin
Worked when I tried fixing my sisters late 2000’s silver macbook. Thanks for the info
Apple retail stores employ NO genius’. I took my MBP to the apple store and they diagnosed my computer with a bad video card and told me I needed to spend $704 on a new logic board. Wasn’t going to happen on a four year old laptop so I bought a new one. Fast forward two weeks and I am on my bed, surfing through trouble shooting blogs on my brand new MBP when I read yours Colin. I grab my old MBP and freaking fix it! Now I have two laptops and an angry wife thanks to you Colin. LOL. Seriously though, if I would have seen your blog two weeks ago, I could have saved myself the cost of a new laptop. I could return the new one…what the *^&% was I just thinking. Thanks Colin for sharing.
Thank you so much, it works! Gobless you
hell hath no fury like a woman angry about your hardware habit.
Not to hijack this thread but, I have been searching for a place to bring my Mac for servicing. Has anyone ever heard of this mac repair service? It’s located in West Los Angeles, which is near my home. It’s called – Mac Repair Los Angeles, 11322 Santa Monica Blvd, Ste B Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 966-9099.
Thanks a lot, this tip just saved what would have otherwise been the start of a bad day!
I got water in my mac pro last week. found suggestion online to turn it off and keep it off for at least 4 days if not longer to dry out, packed in a bag of uncooked rice. Today was the day to try to see if it worked I’ve been a mess. Well I tried and nothing my heart sank, but I knew it was on keyboard lit up apple lit up I jumped on my desk top and found your suggestion. WALA it worked. I thought I was gonna die but I.m all good now a bundle of joy, thank you so much!!!
Wow, Fatiah. That is interesting info about how to dry out a wet laptop. Thanks for sharing that. Glad you got yours restarted. -Colin
Hi Colin,
My MBP run out battery, I didn’t realized and left it for 10 hours. When charging, the color went blue-ish (though all the image could be seen clearly). I still had my MS word, photoshop, firefox opened at that time-My adobe suite collection has expired today, don’t know whether related or not). Then I tried to change the display color calibration into something I can’t remember :( . I also changed the auto sleep into approx 30 mins both battery and power adapter.
I checked my battery condition is on normal status. Tried to check the monitor condition but could find it-should be there (?)
At that time, I was also charging my mobile phones (yes, two) on both USB hub but not apple one (stupid, I know :()
I then restart the laptop but the screen went black though I could hear the sound of turning on and caps lock green light, but keyboard backlight doesn’t work. I unplug all the cables and power cord. Then I force power off (since I can’t see anything), left my laptop for an hour. Then I tried to turn it on, still the same. I found this web and tried your method, but nothing happen when I pressed shift + power button, still black with keyboard backlight not working, caps lock still green, heard turn on sound. Tried to type in my username and password+enter (return) but didn’t work. I don’t try the 2nd and 3rd methods, I don’t have enough bravery to do resetting plus no technical skills about laptop hardware. Please help me, I’m desperate. I’m working on my wedding but my files are still on my laptop :(. Really appreciate your help :)
Hi Colin, new update. I tried to log in normal mode and enter my username+password+enter, it seems that the laptop is able to log in because now I can set the keyboard backlight button. Somehow still can see nothing. I tried to open the resetting but the link is error. Please help. Thanks :)
Hi Amelia,
Yeah, I see that the link on http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US for “Resetting NVRAM / PRAM” is broken.
So, here are the instructions that should appear when you click that link:
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.
After resetting NVRAM or PRAM, you may need to reconfigure your settings for speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, and time zone information. If issues persist, your Mac’s logic board battery (not a portable Mac’s rechargeable battery) may need to be replaced. The logic board battery helps retain NVRAM/PRAM settings when your computer is shut down. You can take your Mac to a Mac Genius or Apple Authorized Service Provider to replace the battery on the logic board.
I hope that helps. -Colin
Hi Colin,
Thanks for your reply. I still cannot see anything on my screen, not even grey screen. Perhaps there’s a broken wire connected to the monitor?
I’ve tried the other suggested resolutions as well, but still didn’t work :(
Thank You. The first method worked. Guess the black screen happened due to my laptop’s sliding off the ottoman onto a step stool and then completed the slide to the floor 2 days ago. Otherwise, I do recall it seeming a little extra hot last night. Thank you again.
This problem has plagued me time and time again. Shutting down completely several times along with removing the battery is what I did to recover before. Thanks to you I now have a simple fix that doesn’t involve so many steps and so much time.