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
Perfect, I needed to go with the second option and it worked!
Wow! That actually worked.
One step I was skeptical about was the “let it sit 5 minutes” step, but it wasn’t until I actually waited a few minutes and then tried that it actually worked.. so make sure to wait. 🙂
Tonight after along year of trying to fix this problem on a 2007 MacBook I seem to have stumbled on an unusual and easy solution.
My solution is here : http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1854606
Nothing else has worked for more than a few hours ( minutes ) or do.
If it works for you please pass the word around.
Woo hoo! After looking at all the other links talking about resetting PRAMs & SMCs, I was about to order (again) another refurbished system/video board when I tried your Safe Mode tip.
I have one of the dreaded 2007 2.4GHz MBPs with the bad GPU solder issue, but outside of that it’s a better workhorse than my 2015 MBAir.
You saved me an hour of replacing hardware!
Thank you so very very much. It is so nice to know there are people willing to share their knowledge with someone ele.
Thank you again. It really worked. By the way do you know to get rid of a black screen on an IPhone, mine won’t come on, all it does is make beeping sounds. Either way thanks again.
Was working and listing to music, screen went black and music started “skipping”, restarted to black. Waited 5 then got logo then to black. The shift method got me to login screen for 1/2 a second then black. Restarted to something that looked like QR code having a panic attack. Tried the control command p r buttons and worked. THANK YOU SO MUCH, My computer is my livelihood.
Command option p+r worked very well. Thank you!!
my screen turned black, when i power my machine on it book until i can hear the sound, the camera led light,keyboard also works but the screen remains black after trying all these for more than a month.
i need help from you guys help me.
THANKS A LOT…
Second option helped to me.
After trying everything here I nothing worked. Ultimately I replaced the magsafe board, which supplies the power to the backlight. That fixed it permanently.
This did not work for me…
I can barely see the login. so so faint that you have to really concentrate. but I cant see the cursor. I wanted to mirror on appletv but need to login. I tried both remedies to no avail. Any other suggestions? I have concerns the macair may have been exposed to minimal moisture!
This also just worked for me! Thank you so much, you’re a life-saver
Hi, I have Macbook Pro. It turns on chimes and you can see a little light and a faint apple. Tried doing the shift power. Nothing. Tried C, O, P, R and my macbook justs will restart over and over. How long am i supposed to hold down for. Tried inverter didnt help.
I reset my Macbook Pro to factory settings and it went through and then hung at a black screen. It seemed like it all worked but was stuck. I tried holding down the shift key at startup as you suggested and was able to logon in safe mode and complete the resetting process and it’s working just find .Thank You 🙂
I reset the pram and the pmu, thanks for your help, do you have paypal? would like to leave a donation, I will learn on how to do the bitcoin thing, also I am a car and truck master mechanic if you need any advice on repairs and cost let me know, I can help back that way also, thanks again, Dan
I LOVE YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
The shift key start worked just as you advertized, except that my system came back up in regular mode.
Many thanks,
gb
Ron’s tip above worked…eternally grateful.
Early 2008 Macbook Pro stuck in sleep mode, no picture just the fan and dvd noise on power up. Tried everything else suggested but pressed CMD, the sleep latch and then power up and ‘hey presto’.
thank u very much command option p r worked for me thanks a lot
My screen won’t light up. It’s staying black
Thank you so much for sharing this! It is a life-saver..!
Thank you!! Colin, we just came back from holidays to find out that our Mac did not turn on, devastating as it is very new, but your post save the day, P and R option really worked,
Hello I have macbook pro 2009. I have the same problem. My screen stay black but the keyboard is on, and it sound too when I turn on the power button. I try what you said but it didn’t worked for me! Help! Please…. Anyone?
didn’t work for me, i even had an external monitor connected.. and nothing. any other suggestions