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
Works for me today. I can’t tell how grateful i am. Thank you so much. Cheers from france.
Thank you!!!!!! It worked. I was about to go to the genius bar for help.
I have same problem but I’m go to apple store . They tell me must be change my MacBook Pro MB……. , cus my CPU is no funtion ….anyone can tell me how to fix my MacBook Pro back?
Somewhere in Macbook heaven there is a place waiting for you…. Thanks for the tip, wouldnt have found it on my own 🙂
@colin
You said ‘after logging in (in safe mode)to make sure everything was okay … What do you check to see if everything is okay?
Well, I just check that all basic functions that a basic user would want, still work: such as: volume control, brightness control, wifi/ethernet, all keys on keyboard, usb ports, etc….
-Colin
Worked when I tried fixing my sisters late 2000’s silver macbook. Thanks for the info
Apple retail stores employ NO genius’. I took my MBP to the apple store and they diagnosed my computer with a bad video card and told me I needed to spend $704 on a new logic board. Wasn’t going to happen on a four year old laptop so I bought a new one. Fast forward two weeks and I am on my bed, surfing through trouble shooting blogs on my brand new MBP when I read yours Colin. I grab my old MBP and freaking fix it! Now I have two laptops and an angry wife thanks to you Colin. LOL. Seriously though, if I would have seen your blog two weeks ago, I could have saved myself the cost of a new laptop. I could return the new one…what the *^&% was I just thinking. Thanks Colin for sharing.
hell hath no fury like a woman angry about your hardware habit.
Thank you so much, it works! Gobless you
Not to hijack this thread but, I have been searching for a place to bring my Mac for servicing. Has anyone ever heard of this mac repair service? It’s located in West Los Angeles, which is near my home. It’s called – Mac Repair Los Angeles, 11322 Santa Monica Blvd, Ste B Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 966-9099.
Thanks a lot, this tip just saved what would have otherwise been the start of a bad day!
I got water in my mac pro last week. found suggestion online to turn it off and keep it off for at least 4 days if not longer to dry out, packed in a bag of uncooked rice. Today was the day to try to see if it worked I’ve been a mess. Well I tried and nothing my heart sank, but I knew it was on keyboard lit up apple lit up I jumped on my desk top and found your suggestion. WALA it worked. I thought I was gonna die but I.m all good now a bundle of joy, thank you so much!!!
Wow, Fatiah. That is interesting info about how to dry out a wet laptop. Thanks for sharing that. Glad you got yours restarted. -Colin
Hi Colin,
My MBP run out battery, I didn’t realized and left it for 10 hours. When charging, the color went blue-ish (though all the image could be seen clearly). I still had my MS word, photoshop, firefox opened at that time-My adobe suite collection has expired today, don’t know whether related or not). Then I tried to change the display color calibration into something I can’t remember 🙁 . I also changed the auto sleep into approx 30 mins both battery and power adapter.
I checked my battery condition is on normal status. Tried to check the monitor condition but could find it-should be there (?)
At that time, I was also charging my mobile phones (yes, two) on both USB hub but not apple one (stupid, I know :()
I then restart the laptop but the screen went black though I could hear the sound of turning on and caps lock green light, but keyboard backlight doesn’t work. I unplug all the cables and power cord. Then I force power off (since I can’t see anything), left my laptop for an hour. Then I tried to turn it on, still the same. I found this web and tried your method, but nothing happen when I pressed shift + power button, still black with keyboard backlight not working, caps lock still green, heard turn on sound. Tried to type in my username and password+enter (return) but didn’t work. I don’t try the 2nd and 3rd methods, I don’t have enough bravery to do resetting plus no technical skills about laptop hardware. Please help me, I’m desperate. I’m working on my wedding but my files are still on my laptop :(. Really appreciate your help 🙂
Hi Colin, new update. I tried to log in normal mode and enter my username+password+enter, it seems that the laptop is able to log in because now I can set the keyboard backlight button. Somehow still can see nothing. I tried to open the resetting but the link is error. Please help. Thanks 🙂
Hi Amelia,
Yeah, I see that the link on http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US for “Resetting NVRAM / PRAM” is broken.
So, here are the instructions that should appear when you click that link:
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.
After resetting NVRAM or PRAM, you may need to reconfigure your settings for speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, and time zone information. If issues persist, your Mac’s logic board battery (not a portable Mac’s rechargeable battery) may need to be replaced. The logic board battery helps retain NVRAM/PRAM settings when your computer is shut down. You can take your Mac to a Mac Genius or Apple Authorized Service Provider to replace the battery on the logic board.
I hope that helps. -Colin
Hi Colin,
Thanks for your reply. I still cannot see anything on my screen, not even grey screen. Perhaps there’s a broken wire connected to the monitor?
I’ve tried the other suggested resolutions as well, but still didn’t work 🙁
Thank You. The first method worked. Guess the black screen happened due to my laptop’s sliding off the ottoman onto a step stool and then completed the slide to the floor 2 days ago. Otherwise, I do recall it seeming a little extra hot last night. Thank you again.
Hi Colin
I read the whole thread, tried the Shift/safe mode and the PRAM restart several times. I do see the momentary grey flash (very brief) but otherwise the screen remains black. Should I try the PMU reset? Its a macbook OSX 10.4.7.
Thanks so much for this thread. Aloha, Brian
Thank you so much
My Mac book started after following thro these steps
Catherine
This problem has plagued me time and time again. Shutting down completely several times along with removing the battery is what I did to recover before. Thanks to you I now have a simple fix that doesn’t involve so many steps and so much time.
So I’ve got an issue with my MacBook. It’s only a few months old. When I turn it on the first time the screen stays as if it is off ( although the mac is on ). I hold down the power key to turn it off again than turn it on again and the whole thing starts up as normal. I’ve tried the safe boot and restart and that doesn’t work…any suggestions as to how I can sort this out so the screen and MacBook start up as normal 1st time every time?
Any help would be awesome!
So I’ve got an issue with my MacBook. It’s only a few months old. When I turn it on the first time the screen stays as if it is off ( although the mac is on ). I hold down the power key to turn it off again than turn it on again and the whole thing starts up as normal.
I’ve tried the safe boot and restart and that doesn’t work…any suggestions as to how I can sort this out so the screen and MacBook start up as normal 1st time every time?
Any help would be awesome!
It worked! Thanks…
When this happens to me changing the brightness of the screen with the button on the keyboard normally lets the screen behave normally again
THANK YOU!
my computer was running at 75% when the screen went black. Since it had never happened, I completely freaked out thinking I’d spend hundreds at the Apple store since its out of warranty. Hope it doesn’t happen again! Your steps worked.
But, do you think the problem is because the logic board does need replacing eventually or I need to update my MacBook pro?
Thank you!! The safe mode worked for me!
I panicked when my screen went blue after start up…I followed your solution which was really easy to follow and thank heavens my Mac is working normally again. Big thanks!