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
weird…i had this same problem, fixed exactly the same way today. I noticed that this is only a week after you…Perhaps an issue with a recent update?
I don’t know, Mark. But I’ve had to do this twice in the last 10 days. -Colin
oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness, thank you so so much!
The shift-key starting up was scary, it took ten minutes to boot up, and when I restarted it, it didn’t work, so I re-did it and did a PARAM reset, and now it looks okay, it restarted on its own without black-screening me.
Thank you!!!!!
Colin, thank you… much appreciated.
Guys how do i do a PARAM reset????? I mean i cant really see anything on the screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have this problem but my battery won’t hold charge there i cannot follow these steps correctly
mine does it too… but if i put the screen in down position then lift again it comes on…
Thanks. The safe reboot worked. Curious what causes this? Is this a sign that the motherboard is near death?
Well, actually, yes, it may be a sign that something is near death. We finally took our macbook to the apple store and they replaced the motherboard or power management unit, I don’t remember which, because it was still within the coverage period. If the problem keeps happening, and you are still within the coverage period, I would suggest going to Apple and ask them if they can put in a new piece. -Colin
My mac went black while i was playing a game. now when i turn it on its stays black but i hear it load and run. i held shift and it rebooted again by itself but it stayed black. what should i do?
Ive tried everything and I still have made no progress! Someone please help! My macbook pro turns on and the disk drive initiates but the screen stays black. The indicator light stays on but nothing else happens. No start up chime, no light for caps lock, nothing! Ive tried taking out the battery and holding the power button down, starting up while holding shift, while holding cmd opt P R, holding C, nothing seems to work. I need help fast! Calculus test on Monday and the jags at apple wont help me unless I pay them 50 dollars, but he said he only knows one thing to try and if it doesnt work he wont refund my money. Thats messed up. You would think they would want to help since i spent 3000 on their product!
Oh my gosh this was so awesome. Food thing I didnt have to go to the apple store. this saved me
Colin ~ thank you so much. Maya from DK
Thanks for the shift tip, it did the trick with a little shake of the computer.
HOLYYY SHIIETTT,
THANK YOUU SOO F***EN MUCH ,YOUR A SAVIOUR ,YU MUST OF SAVED ME AT LEAST 400 BUXX,WORKX FINE NOW,BUT I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW IT WENT BLANK IN THE FIRST PLACE…ANYONE HAVE AN IDEA??LEAVE A NEW COMMENT IF YA DO,IM GUNNA CHECK THIS PAGE OUT AGAIN SOMETIME AGAIN TO SEE FOR ANY REPLIES THANX A MILLION N 1
Unfortunately another computer dead and gone. I tried several times with both options to reboot and it’s still dead! I think it’s an apple ploy in order to keep us upgrading and constantly buying the next best product they’ve got out. AH! I’m frustrated, any other suggestions before I ‘put it down’.
Awesome man!!! my machine is just booting up now with apple logo ON.
any idea why this happens?? is it a hardware issue or apple way to promote new models?
But you are a life saver..!!!
Thanks! Dude.. it works
Worked like a charm, thanks!
This was so helpful thank you!
Thanks for the straightforward solution. I went through resetting PRAM and the SMC, but it was still booting up to the black screen.
All I had to do was boot into safe mode then restart and now it works. You’ve saved me a lot of time and trouble; I can’t thank you enough.
Thanks foe the advice……I was so upset this am when my Mac screen was black. I’ve only had it for 2months. Your suggestions worked!
Thank you.
Thanks for posting this fix! Worked great for me today.
Thx a heap. Mine crashed when my son was on Minecraft & the cat sat on the keyboard. All good now. Very clear & simple explanation – thanks Colin.
17 months later just had the problem for the first time, plugged my mac into duel screen and searched straight to this site!!! saved me a trip to the apple shop and some cash£££ nice one dude your a star.. :-)))