MacBook black screen: the Mac turns on, but nothing is displayed

The fan spins, the keyboard lights up, but the screen stays black. Before buying a screen, four tests lasting a few minutes tell you whether it really is the culprit.

First: is the Mac really on?

Press the Caps Lock key: if its light comes on, the Mac is working. Other signs: the keyboard backlight, the sound of the fan, the startup chime on older models. If none of this happens, the problem is not the screen. MacBook won't turn on: what to do

Four tests, in this order

  1. Brightness. Press the brightness key several times (F2, or the sun on the Touch Bar). It may have been turned all the way down without you noticing.
  2. The torch. Shine a phone's torch at the screen from an angle, up close. If you can make out a very dark image, the screen is displaying, but its backlight no longer comes on.
  3. An external display. Connect a monitor or a TV (HDMI, or a USB-C adapter). If the image appears on it, the Mac is working: the fault lies in the built-in screen or its display cable. If nothing appears there either, look at the logic board instead.
  4. A forced restart. Hold the power button for ten seconds to shut down, then turn the Mac back on. On an Intel Mac, hold Option, Command, P and R at startup to reset the NVRAM, which stores display settings among other things.

What your results mean

What you seeLikely causeSolution
Very dark image visible with the torchBacklight: display cable, logic board circuit or panelComplete screen, or logic board repair after diagnosis
Nothing with the torch, but the image shows on an external displayPanel or display cable out of orderReplace the complete screen
Nothing on the external display eitherLogic board or graphics chipWorkshop diagnosis before buying a part
Black with lines or patches, after an impactCracked panelReplace the screen; sometimes just the panel on older models
Black only when the lid is opened wide (MacBook Pro 2016-2017)“Flexgate”: worn display cableReplace the complete screen · Flexgate explained

Is the screen black right after a screen replacement? Most often, a cable is not seated properly: open the Mac up again and check every connector before concluding that a part is faulty. Faults after a screen replacement

Find the right screen for your MacBook

Each model has its own page, with the complete screens, the LCD panel alone where it exists, and today's prices. The model number (A followed by four digits) is engraved on the underside of the Mac. Find your Mac's model number

Other Macs

Would you rather have a diagnosis?

If the external display test shows nothing, or if you're not sure of the result, our Paris workshop will diagnose the Mac and tell you which part needs replacing, with a quote. Mac repair in Paris, quote within 24 h

Frequently asked questions

My MacBook makes noise but the screen stays black: is it the screen?

Not necessarily. Connect an external display: if the image appears on it, it is indeed the screen or its display cable; otherwise, the fault is elsewhere.

Can I recover my files if the screen is black?

Yes, if the Mac works on an external display: you can make a backup before any repair. Mac data recovery

Can a black screen after a drop be repaired?

Yes. If the panel is cracked, the screen is replaced; also check with an external display, because an impact can damage the display cable or the logic board.

Is a replacement screen covered by a warranty?

The screens we sell are tested before shipping and guaranteed for 2 years. What the screen warranty covers

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