Troubleshooting a Black Screen on Your MacBook Pro

If you’re experiencing a black or white screen while restarting or booting up your MacBook Pro, don’t panic. Here’s a troubleshooting guide to help you resolve the issue and get your Mac back up and running.

First Steps

• Reset the PRAM or NVRAM
• Reset the System Management Controller

Causes

1. Buggy Software

Corrupted software or data can lead to unexpected behavior, including a blank display.

• Launch into Safe Mode
• Repair the file system
• Internet Recovery
• Bootable USB installer

2. Firmware Corruption

If your Mac is from 2018 or newer, it may have encountered an error or lost power during a firmware update.

• Direct Firmware Upgrade or DFU mode
• Apple Support page
• For Macs with Apple Silicon processors
• Reinstall the operating system
• Answers Forum

3. Damaged or Faulty Display

Visible or internal damage can cause your display to malfunction.

• Replacement screen

4. Faulty Flex Cables

MacBook Pros from 2016 onwards have been known to experience display issues due to faulty flex cables.

• Apple offers a Repair Program for the 13” 2016 MacBook Pro.
• Replacement display backlight cables

5. Faulty Internal Display Cable

The cable connecting the logic board to the display can also fail.

• eDP Cable
• LVDS Cable

6. Faulty Hall Sensors

These sensors detect whether the display is open or closed.

7. Liquid Damage

Liquid in your Mac can cause display issues or worse.

8. Logic Board

Any number of the small components on the logic board may have failed or become damaged.

• Replacing the logic board

Additional Resources

• MacBook Black Screen T2 Chip
• MacBook Display Dark
• MacBook Startup Black Screen

Get Your MacBook Pro Repaired

If you’re unable to resolve the issue on your own, schedule a repair with Salvation Repair. We offer a limited lifetime guarantee on all parts and labor.