TL;DR
To fix a black screen issue on a Mac:
- Make sure your Mac is on and charge it if needed.
- Unplug any external monitors or cables.
- Increase the screen brightness to maximum.
- Let your Mac cool for 20 minutes if it has overheated.
- Force restart your Mac by holding the Power button for 10 seconds.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Staring at a black screen on your Mac can feel like a huge problem. But don’t worry—there are easy solutions. In this guide, I’ll walk you through quick and advanced solutions to get your Mac back up and running.
Basic Troubleshooting for Black Screen on Mac
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Before trying more advanced solutions, it’s important to rule out simple mistakes that could be causing the black screen issue. Here are some easy steps to try to fix the problem on your Mac:
- 🔋 Check the Power Source: Ensure your Mac is powered on by pressing the Power button. If the battery is low, plug in the charger and wait 5 minutes before restarting.
- 🔌 Check Display Connections: Inspect any connected external monitors or cables. Disconnect these to see if the screen issue resolves.
- 🌞 Increase the Brightness: Adjust the screen brightness using the brightness keys on your keyboard. Ensure it’s set to maximum to avoid a dim or black screen.
- ❄️ Let the CPU Cool Down: If the Mac overheats, shut it down and allow it to cool for 20 minutes. Ensure the cooling vents are not obstructed.
- 🔄 Force Restart Your MacBook: Hold the Power button for 10 seconds to force a restart. This can fix startup-related black screen issues.
7 Advanced Fixes for MacBook Black Screen Issue
Now, I’ve shared some advanced troubleshooting steps for a black screen issue on a Mac.
1. Boot Into Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts your Mac with basic settings and can fix disk or software issues causing the black screen. To boot your Mac into Safe Mode, follow these steps:
- Restart your Macbook and immediately press the Shift ⇧ key.
- Keep holding the Shift ⇧ key until you see the login window.
- Log in to your device.
- Wait for the system to complete its booting sequence. You will see Safe Boot in the menu bar.
- Restart your MacBook again to exit Safe Mode.
2. Reset NVRAM or PRAM
Resetting NVRAM or PRAM restores system settings that may have become corrupted, potentially resolving the black screen issue. Follow these steps to reset the NVRAM on your Mac:
- Turn off your Mac.
- After a few seconds, power up your MacBook.
- Immediately press and hold the Command ⌘ + Option ⌥ + P + R keys.
- Keep holding the keys until you hear the startup sound twice.
- Release the keys, and your MacBook will restart.
Here’s a quick tip from online forums: If the black screen persists after an NVRAM reset, give the steps another go. Many users have reported attempting this method at least twice and the issue was resolved.
3. Reset the SMC
Resetting the SMC can resolve power-related issues, such as display problems or black screens, by restoring hardware settings. Here’s how to reset the SMC on your MacBook:
This method is not applicable on Macs with M1 or M2 chips, as they automatically perform an SMC reset on every shutdown and restart.
- Press and hold these keys for at least 10 seconds: Shift ⇧ + Control ⌘ + Option + Power button.
- Release the keys and press the Power button to turn on your MacBook.
4. Update the macOS
Keeping your macOS up to date ensures bug fixes and performance improvements that could resolve the black screen problem. Here’s how you can check for updates and update macOS on your Mac:
- Head to the Apple icon and select System Settings.
- Select General and click the Software Update option.
- Install the updates, if any are available, by clicking the Update Now button.
- Once the update is installed, restart your device.
5. Use a Keypress Sequence
This simple keypress sequence forces a restart that can resolve black screen issues. Here’s how to go about it:
- Press the Power button once. This brings up a dialog box you can’t see on the black screen.
- Press the S key. This is the shortcut for putting your Mac to sleep.
- Hold down the Power button for four seconds. This will force your Mac to shut down completely.
- Wait about 15 seconds, then press the Power button again to turn your Mac back on.
6. Run Apple Diagnostics
Apple Diagnostics helps identify hardware issues causing the black screen. On Apple Silicon Macs, hold the Power button until options appear and press Command ⌘ + D. For Intel Macs, hold the D key during startup. Review the error codes and seek support if necessary.
For more details, see my guide on Apple Diagnostics.
7. Reinstall macOS
Reinstalling macOS can fix black screen issues by refreshing system files. Back up your data first, as this process erases everything. Restart your Mac, hold Command ⌘ + R, and choose Reinstall macOS. Follow the prompts to complete.
Check out my complete guide to reinstalling macOS on your Mac for a step-by-step process.
💡Tip: Seek Professional Help
If the black screen issue persists after trying all the solutions, it’s time to reach out to Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for professional assistance.
What Causes Black Screen Issues on a Mac?
Here are some common causes of black screen issues on a Mac:
- 🐛 Software Glitches: Temporary bugs in macOS, especially after updates, can cause a black screen.
- 🔌 Display Connectivity Issues: Loose or faulty connections, especially with external monitors, can lead to a black screen.
- 🔋 Power Supply Problems: A drained battery or faulty power adapter can prevent the screen from turning on.
- 🛠️ Hardware Malfunctions: Issues with hardware components like the GPU, logic board, or overheating can cause a black screen.
- 💾 Faulty RAM or Storage: Problems with RAM or internal storage can also result in black screen issues.
Fix Your Mac’s Black Screen Quickly
A black screen issue on your Macbook can be a frustrating experience. But there are some things you can do to prevent it from happening in the future. Here are some tips to help you out:
- Run regular virus scans on your Mac to prevent malicious agents from affecting your system’s performance.
- Prevent your Mac from overheating by keeping it in a well-ventilated area.
- Change sleep time on your Mac to stop it from sleeping which may look like a black screen issue.
