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
OMG, you are a freaking genius…it totally worked. I just love it when trouble shooting solutions actually work. You rock!
Thank you… what you said worked perfectly. Thank you so much for sharing that.
Same black screen issue. Took my 2008 15″ MBP into the Apple Store this last week with no warranty. They replaced a failed Nvidia card free of charge,(My MBP serial was eligible due to Nvidia lawsuit) which would have otherwise cost $450. They even had the part in stock so it was a same day turnaround. What a relief
It dosn’t work as keyboard does still not work to use the shift key
Help!
There was suddenly a snap like sound and my MacBook Pro screen went black. There was no response hitting any of the keys. I powered off and back on (the small light on the right side in front comes on) but hitting the screen doesn’t do anything.
I guess I’ll need to take it to the Apple store as the above suggestion has unfortunately no effect. Hopefully it is related to the Nvidia card that Jessica mentioned and will be repaired free of charge.
thanx so much, it worked!!!
Thanks for the procedure. My zombified Mac was causing lots of stress.
Colin-
Thank you for your help. It worked as stated and saved me a trip to the Apple store. Thank you!
Do you need to remove the battery while power is off?
Thanks a lot. You saved me a lot of money.
When I shut the lid on my mac pro, then open it back up the key board comes on but not the screen unless i disconnect the power supply for a couple of seconds and reconnect it and then the screen comes back on. works fine on battery.
Thank you so much. You saved me of a sleepless night, and a late school paper. I’m so over the top! your trick worked. Thank you.
Carrie
Thanks SO much!! This happens all the time to our macbook pro but with this trick, we get it up and running in no time! You’re a hell of a life saver
wow this flunked
this did not work!!!
Cheers for the info, PMU reset didn’t work but BINGO…. all back to brightness when I reset the PRAM and NVRAM,
Thanks
rick
I have the same problem in my macbook pro i try many things to fix the problem like reset the NVRAM and PRAM nothing happen…. and i try to remove/disconect the CD/DVDrom its work and my mcbook back to normal but everytime i connect the CD/DVDRom White screen and apple logo appear and it will turns to black. strange but not bad to try its work for me..
It didnt work 🙁 D:
Good tip. However, i get the black screen on a i5 MBP (intel and nvidia combo) – while temperature is moderate below 70° on both cpu and gpu.
It seems to happen though sooner on GPU intense operation, even though – the temp was not high enough to conclude overheating. This even happened with
open enclosure.
It happens sooner on windows 7 (bootcamp) – normal operations, such as updating signatures from mcaffee… or so.. office stuff.
but on snow leopard, it happens too.. not as soon as under windows, but it happenes.
Any advise?
I tried this and thought it wasn’t working, but it did after 5 minutes or so playing with the brightest keys. I restarted it after I got the screen up and let it run for a while. I shut down and turned it back on, and what do you know, it’s still working. Thank you SOOOOOO much. I took it to Apple today and the “Genius” desk attendant literally just flashed a light at it and then told me the repair would take days AND cost me over $250 (not including labor). I’m so happy I found this page. The fix took no time at all and cost me nothing. I can’t stop saying thank you. THANK YOU!
I love you man! Lol
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I followed your directions and was able to get my screen back on. Is this something that is going to continue to happen if it has happened once or should your directions fix the problem?!?
Thanks again!
Kristin Wills
I have a 2006 macbook pro. I tried to do an update after I installed snow leopard and the computer turned off. I tried turning it back on but the screen goes black. The caps lock key wont come on. I hear a lot of boot up noises though, not the boot up chime but i can hear the fans and other things working in the lap top. I was able to put in a cd but the screen stayed black. Any ideas? I’ve tried both suggestions and it still won’t work. I’m a student and can’t really afford an apple visit. If i did manage to get an apple visit do you think it could be the nvidea card, maybe it could be replaced for free? Thank you for your help!
OH MY GOSH THANK YOU!!!!!!!!