How to Fix Mac Screen Went Black During macOS Sonoma Upgrade
Recently I was trying to upgrade my MacBook Air M1 to macOS Sonoma. However, I encountered a brief moment of uncertainty. The initial restart led to a prolonged period of a black screen, lasting for a few minutes.
In an attempt to resolve this, I closed the laptop and then reopened it after a short while. To my relief, the familiar startup chime rang out within about five seconds, followed by a progress bar indicating the continuation of the installation process. Thankfully, the installation completed successfully, and everything appears to be functioning perfectly.
Is this normal for black screen during Sonoma Upgrade?
Yes. According to my personal and several forum members, this is a normal behavior. However, it should only last a few minutes. If your Mac was stuck on black screen for a long time, please try the following suggestions to fix it.
1. Unplug and Plug Monitor Cable on Your Mac
If your Mac’s display remains stubbornly black, a simple yet effective step is to re-establish the connection between your Mac and its monitor. Carefully unplug the monitor cable, wait for a minute or so, and then plug it back in. This can sometimes refresh the connection and signal your Mac to wake up the display. It’s a straightforward fix that clears up any temporary glitches that might have occurred during the initial connection.
2. Restart Your Mac
When the screen goes dark and refuses to come back to life, a restart can act as a digital defibrillator. Hold down the power button for a few seconds until the Mac powers off, then press it again to turn it back on. This process can close any errant processes that may have been causing the screen to remain black and can often resolve the issue as the system reboots with a clean slate.
3. Install the latest macOS Sonoma Update
Staying up-to-date with the latest macOS update can not only enhance your Mac’s performance but also rectify unexpected issues like a black screen. You can check for updates by going to the Apple menu > About This Mac > Software Update. If there’s an update available, follow the prompts to install it. This could include patches for display-related bugs, ensuring your screen stays bright and responsive.
4. Wipe Your Mac and Reinstall macOS Ventura
If all else fails, sometimes starting afresh is the key. Wiping your Mac clean and reinstalling macOS Ventura can eliminate any deep-rooted software issues that could be causing the screen to stay black. Be sure to back up all important data before proceeding with this nuclear option. Then, reboot your Mac into recovery mode, erase the disk using Disk Utility, and reinstall macOS Ventura. This will give you a clean install of the operating system, which should hopefully resolve any lingering display issues.
Frequently Asked Questions for Black Screen on Mac
- Why does my Mac screen go black randomly?
A black screen on a Mac can be caused by several issues ranging from minor software glitches to hardware problems. Common causes include outdated software, issues with display settings, corrupted files during startup, or even loose cable connections.
2. What should I do if my Mac screen goes black but the computer is still running?
First, try adjusting the brightness settings or checking for any signs of life like sounds from the computer or keyboard backlighting. If that doesn’t work, try a forced restart by pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds.
3. Can a black screen on a Mac be a sign of a virus or malware?
While it’s less common, malware can occasionally cause significant system issues like a black screen. It’s always a good idea to run a malware scan if you suspect your system’s security has been compromised.
4. How can I prevent my Mac from having a black screen issue again?
Regularly update your macOS to the latest version, avoid overloading your Mac with excessive tasks that may cause it to overheat, and ensure that all peripheral connections are secure and functioning correctly.
5. Is the black screen of death on a Mac a hardware issue?
It can be, particularly if it’s related to the graphics card or display hardware. If you’ve tried all software troubleshooting steps and the problem persists, it might be time to consult with an Apple-certified technician.
6. Will I lose my data if my Mac screen is black?
Not necessarily. The black screen is often a display issue, and your data remains intact on the hard drive. However, if you need to reinstall the operating system, there’s a risk of data loss, so it’s advisable to back up your data regularly.
7. How do I boot my Mac in Safe Mode when the screen is black?
To boot in Safe Mode, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key. Release the key when you see the login window. If the screen is still black, you may not be able to see these prompts, which means you might need additional help.
8. Could an update cause my Mac screen to go black?
Yes, sometimes updates can lead to compatibility issues that result in a black screen. If this happens after an update, try booting in Safe Mode and uninstalling the update or resetting the NVRAM/PRAM.
