MacBook Touch Bar Not Working? Fixes & Repair Options

Pro Tip

Key Takeaways:

• • About 40% of Touch Bar issues can be fixed with software resets
• • The Touch Bar is connected to the logic board via a fragile flex cable
• • Apple only offers top case replacement (keyboard + battery + Touch Bar)
• • Independent shops can sometimes replace just the Touch Bar component
• • Touch Bar MacBooks were made 2016-2020; Apple discontinued the feature

The Touch Bar was Apple's divisive addition to MacBook Pros from 2016 to 2020—a touch-sensitive OLED strip replacing the function keys. Love it or hate it, when it stops working, it can be genuinely disruptive.

Here's how to diagnose whether your Touch Bar issue is software or hardware, and what your repair options are.

Touch Bar Symptoms Explained

Quick Fixes to Try First

1. Force Restart

Hold the power button (Touch ID button on the top right) for 10 seconds until the Mac shuts off. Wait 5 seconds, then turn it back on. This resets the Touch Bar controller.

2. Reset the Touch Bar Process

Open Terminal and run:

sudo pkill TouchBarServer

The Touch Bar will briefly go blank and restart. If this fixes it, the issue was software.

3. Check Activity Monitor

Look for "TouchBarServer" in Activity Monitor. If it's using excessive CPU or memory, force quit it. The system will restart it automatically.

Software Resets

SMC Reset

The SMC controls power management including the Touch Bar:

1. Shut down your Mac completely
2. Press and hold: Shift + Control + Option + Power button for 10 seconds
3. Release all keys
4. Press power button normally to start

NVRAM Reset

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Turn on and immediately hold: Option + Command + P + R
3. Hold for about 20 seconds
4. Release and let Mac boot normally

Hardware Causes

If software fixes don't work, you likely have a hardware issue:

• Flex cable damage - The ribbon cable connecting Touch Bar to logic board is fragile. Repeated lid opening/closing can wear it out.
• OLED panel failure - The Touch Bar uses a small OLED display that can fail over time.
• Logic board connector - The connector on the logic board can become damaged.
• Liquid damage - Even minor spills can affect the Touch Bar.

Repair Options & Costs

Apple Store

Apple doesn't repair Touch Bars—they replace the entire top case (keyboard + battery + trackpad + Touch Bar). Cost: £399 - £549 depending on model. See Apple vs independent repair for the full comparison.

Independent Repair

Some independent shops can replace just the Touch Bar component or repair the flex cable:

• Touch Bar replacement only - £199 - £299
• Flex cable repair - £149 - £249
• Full top case (if needed) - £349 - £449

Did You Know?

Consider this: If your MacBook is 2016-2017 and also has butterfly keyboard issues, a full top case replacement fixes both problems at once. Sometimes that's the better value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my MacBook without a working Touch Bar?

Yes. You lose convenient controls, but the function key shortcuts still work via keyboard combinations (Fn + F1, etc.). Many users disable Touch Bar apps anyway.

Will Apple still repair Touch Bar MacBooks?

Yes, as long as parts are available. Apple typically supports Macs for 7 years after discontinuation. Touch Bar models will be supported into the late 2020s.

Is Touch Bar repair worth it?

Depends on your usage. If you rely on Touch Bar features (media controls, app-specific buttons), yes. If you never used it much, you might live without it—or use it as an opportunity to upgrade. See our repair vs replace guide for the full decision framework.