A MacBook Pro that turns on but shows a black or blank screen should follow Apple's blank-screen article: hold the power button (the Touch ID key) for up to 10 seconds until it switches off, start it again, and if it reaches Recovery run First Aid on the startup disk in Disk Utility. If Recovery will not load, an Apple silicon Mac might need its firmware revived or restored with a second Mac. On a Pro the first split is built-in versus external: the 14-inch and 16-inch have HDMI and three Thunderbolt ports, so an external monitor is an easy test, and a Pro that runs a picture on the monitor but not on its own Liquid Retina XDR panel points at the display or its cable.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch screen is black, blank or flickering”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A flat battery or dead adapter
What separates it Nothing shows and the charger light is dark because of a flat battery or dead adapter
How to confirm Apple says to check the power cable and outlet and try another adapter
- 2
A startup hang
What separates it The screen stays black or gray after the power button and never reaches login
How to confirm Hold the power button for up to 10 seconds, then start again
- 3
A damaged startup volume
What separates it It starts to a blank screen and Recovery works
How to confirm Use Disk Utility in Recovery to repair the startup disk
- 4
Firmware that needs reviving
What separates it It does not start from Recovery either, and shows the same black screen
How to confirm Apple says an Apple silicon Mac might need its firmware revived or restored from another Mac
- 5
A display or backlight fault
What separates it A monitor on HDMI or Thunderbolt works while the built-in panel is black
How to confirm Test with an external display; if it works, the built-in panel needs service
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which MacBook Pro you have and whether it gives any sound, warmth or light
- Whether the charger light comes on and whether the Pro responds to the keyboard
- What happens when you hold the power button and start Recovery
- Whether an external display shows a picture
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck power
ReversibleCheck power, by trying another outlet and cable, since Apple's article starts with the power cable and outlet.
Look for signs of life
ReversibleListen for fans, press a key, watch the Caps Lock light and shine a flashlight at the screen.
Hard restart
ReversiblePress and hold the power button (Touch ID) for up to 10 seconds until the Mac turns off, then turn it on.
Unplug accessories
ReversibleUnplug accessories, by removing hubs, drives, SD cards and displays, then repeating the restart, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Try Recovery
ReversibleHold the power button until startup options appear, choose Options, then run First Aid in Disk Utility.
Try an external display
ReversibleConnect a monitor by HDMI or Thunderbolt. A picture there means the logic board is running.
Revive or restore if needed
ReversibleIf nothing starts, Apple describes reviving or restoring firmware with a second Mac and a USB-C cable.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displays by model
- 14-inch: 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 3024 by 1964. 16-inch: 16.2-inch, 3456 by 2234. Both with ProMotion up to 120Hz. Per Apple's tech specs.
- External displays
- Up to two at 6K over Thunderbolt on M3 and M4, one 8K at 60Hz or one 4K at 240Hz over HDMI; Pro and Max models support more, per Apple's tech specs.
- Part numbers
- No part number is involved. Apple identifies the Mac by model and serial number.
- Repair cost
- Apple quotes display repairs after diagnosis. iFixit's table lists Apple's US estimate for a MacBook Pro battery at $249; no display fee is published.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 family), MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3 family).
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the screen stays black after a hard restart and Recovery and an external display works, book display service
- !If nothing works from Recovery, follow Apple's revive or restore steps or contact Apple
- !If the Pro was dropped, pressed or wet before the fault, stop using it and have it inspected
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Power button reset, Recovery, Disk Utility, firmware revive or restore and service.
Power cable, power button, accessories and service.
When an Apple silicon Mac needs its firmware revived or restored by another Mac.
72.4-watt-hour battery, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, 24 hours video, Center Stage camera and display support.
100-watt-hour battery, 140W adapter, Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC and ProMotion.
Apple silicon MacBook Pro history: 14-inch and 16-inch generations, ports, displays and fans.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my Pro black but the fans run?+
The Mac may be running with the panel off, or stuck in startup. An external display or a faint image under a flashlight helps separate a dead panel from a dead Mac.
Can I use an external display to diagnose?+
Yes. Apple lists up to two external displays on the M3 and M4 Pros (more on Pro and Max models), so a working monitor proves the Mac is running.
Is a black screen after closing the lid a fault?+
Not by itself. A closed lid sleeps the Mac; if it fails to wake, try the power button and a hard restart.