James Peters
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple Music

Q: macbook pro retina screen (mid 2012) goes black

While using computer screen randomly goes completely black.  After a few attempts at tapping trackpad or a key or two, screen comes back on but then have to sign in to the computer again. Program I was running is still there and continues on. This is very random and I am afraid that a video card or logic board component might be going out.  MacBook Pro Retina Display Mid 2012, 16 GB 1600 mHz RAM DDR3,  Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 1024 MB;  2.6 i7 running OS 10.11.2

Posted on Jan 12, 2016 10:24 PM

by brenden dv,Solvedanswer
brenden dv brenden dv
Community Specialists
A:

Hi James,

 

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities! I'm sorry to hear you are having these issues with your MacBook Pro. I'm a bit unclear on exactly which screen you are seeing when you sign back in, but based on your description it sounds like your computer may be inadvertently going to sleep. If that is the case, you may find the troubleshooting steps outlined in the following article helpful:

 

If your Mac doesn't sleep or wake when expected - Apple Support

 

As noted in that article, one other possibility on portable computers like the MacBook Pro is that the display closed sensor may be being inadvertently triggered. There is a small magnetic sensor in the portable computers, and sometimes being in proximity to things like magnetic closure carrying cases or magnetic jewelry can cause it to think the display has been closed, which then puts the machine into a locked sleep state. If possible, you may want to test for the issue on an open desk without any potential sources of interference. 

 

Magnets in devices might cause your Mac notebook computer to sleep - Apple Support

 

Cheers

Posted on Jan 23, 2016 8:52 AM

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James Peters

Q: macbook pro retina screen (mid 2012) goes black

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  • Helpful answers

  • by brenden dv,Solvedanswer

    brenden dv brenden dv Jan 23, 2016 8:52 AM in response to James Peters
    Community Specialists
    Jan 23, 2016 8:52 AM in response to James Peters

    Hi James,

     

    Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities! I'm sorry to hear you are having these issues with your MacBook Pro. I'm a bit unclear on exactly which screen you are seeing when you sign back in, but based on your description it sounds like your computer may be inadvertently going to sleep. If that is the case, you may find the troubleshooting steps outlined in the following article helpful:

     

    If your Mac doesn't sleep or wake when expected - Apple Support

     

    As noted in that article, one other possibility on portable computers like the MacBook Pro is that the display closed sensor may be being inadvertently triggered. There is a small magnetic sensor in the portable computers, and sometimes being in proximity to things like magnetic closure carrying cases or magnetic jewelry can cause it to think the display has been closed, which then puts the machine into a locked sleep state. If possible, you may want to test for the issue on an open desk without any potential sources of interference. 

     

    Magnets in devices might cause your Mac notebook computer to sleep - Apple Support

     

    Cheers

  • by James Peters,

    James Peters James Peters Jan 23, 2016 8:52 AM in response to brenden dv
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Jan 23, 2016 8:52 AM in response to brenden dv

    Thanks a lot for the suggestions.  It might just be inadvertently going to sleep.  It has not happened again but you know I think it has been since I purchased an Apple Watch with the metal band that has a strong magnet on it...  I will play around with this and see if it might be the computer thinking the case was closed.

    Will post when I figure it out.

  • by brenden dv,

    brenden dv brenden dv Jan 23, 2016 2:38 PM in response to James Peters
    Community Specialists
    Jan 23, 2016 2:38 PM in response to James Peters

    No problem; hopefully it stays resolved.

     

    Cheers