MacBook Black Screen? Causes & Solutions

Pro Tip

Key Takeaways:

• • Software fixes (SMC/PRAM reset, brightness check) solve ~25% of black screens
• • External display test quickly determines if it's display vs system issue
• • Backlight failure often shows faint image when shining torch on screen
• • GPU issues more common on 2011-2015 models (known issues)
• • Repair costs vary widely: £99 for backlight to £399+ for logic board

Your MacBook screen is completely black. Is it dead? Probably not. Let's diagnose what's actually happening.

Quick Fixes to Try First

1. Check the Obvious

• Brightness: Press F2 to increase brightness (you'd be surprised)
• Power: Is the Mac actually on? Check for fan noise or warmth
• External display: Connect to a monitor - does that work?

2. Force Restart

• Hold the power button for 10 seconds until it shuts off
• Wait 10 seconds
• Press power to turn on

3. SMC Reset (Intel Macs)

1. Shut down completely
2. Press Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds
3. Release and press Power

4. PRAM/NVRAM Reset

1. Press Power, immediately hold Option + Command + P + R
2. Hold for 20 seconds
3. Release and let Mac boot

Display Problem vs System Problem

Common Causes of Black Screen

Software Issues (~25% of cases)

• Corrupt system files after update
• Sleep/wake issues (sometimes related to freezing problems)
• FileVault problems
• Third-party software conflicts

Display Cable (Flexgate)

MacBook Pros from 2016-2018 have a design flaw where the display cable wears out over time. Symptoms start with "stage lighting" effect at the bottom of the screen (often confused with screen flickering), progressing to complete failure.

Backlight Failure

The LED backlight or its driver circuit fails. The LCD still works—you can often see a faint image with a torch—but there's no light behind it. See our backlight repair guide for more details.

Display Panel Failure

The LCD itself has failed. No image at all, even with torch. Requires full screen replacement.

Graphics Card Problems

Certain MacBook Pro models have known GPU issues:

• 2011 MacBook Pro 15"/17": AMD GPU failures (Apple extended programme ended)
• 2012-2013 MacBook Pro 15": NVIDIA GPU issues
• 2015-2016 MacBook Pro 15": AMD GPU failures

Did You Know?

GPU issues often show up as graphical glitches first (lines, artifacts, flickering) before complete failure. If your Mac shows these symptoms, back up your data immediately and consider board-level repair.

Backlight Failure

The torch test: In a dark room, shine a bright torch/flashlight at the screen. If you can see a faint image (login screen, icons), your backlight has failed but the display itself is fine.

Backlight Repair Options

• Apple approach: Replace entire display assembly (£399-799)
• Our approach: Repair backlight circuit or cable (£99-199)

Repair Costs UK

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a black screen fixable or is my Mac dead?

In most cases, it's fixable. True "dead" logic boards are relatively rare—even Macs that won't turn on can often be repaired. GPU issues can often be fixed at component level. See our repair vs replace guide for help deciding.

Why does Apple charge so much more?

Apple replaces entire assemblies (whole screen, whole logic board). We use board-level repair techniques where possible, fixing just the failed component. For a full comparison, see Apple vs independent Mac repair.

Can I get my data off a Mac with a black screen?

Usually yes. If the system boots (fans run, sounds play), we can often recover data via Target Disk Mode or by removing the storage. See our data recovery guide for more options.