rlfisher218
Level 1 (2 points)

Q: Laptop screen is black, external monitor works

Having some issues. 

 

When I start my laptop up, it makes the start up sound, the caps lock button works, the volume controls work and make noise, but the screen is black.

 

When I plug a monitor up, it works (which is how I am able to type this message).

 

Unless I did things wrong, I've tried holding down Shift when I hit the power button, I've tried resetting PRAM by holding down P+R+Option+Command at start up, I've tried resetting SMC with Shift+Control+Option+Power.

 

Does anybody have anything else that can help or am I just SOL and need a new computer or need to have this one repaired?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Dec 4, 2013 12:52 PM

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rlfisher218

Q: Laptop screen is black, external monitor works

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  • Helpful answers

  • by matt00,

    matt00 Dec 6, 2013 8:46 AM in response to rlfisher218
    Level 5 (4,015 points)
    Dec 6, 2013 8:46 AM in response to rlfisher218

    Hey rlfisher218,

     

     

    Thanks for the question, and amazing troubleshooting so far. You have almost exhausted all steps that I would recommend, but there are a few more you can try:

     

    Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1573

     

    If your issue persists after attempting all troubleshooting steps in the article, see the last section for information on contacting Apple for diagnosis.

     

     

    Thanks,

     

    Matt M.

  • by rlfisher218,

    rlfisher218 rlfisher218 Dec 6, 2013 11:46 AM in response to matt00
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Dec 6, 2013 11:46 AM in response to matt00

    Didn't seem to work.

     

    Couple other things I've noticed.

     

    1.  If I unplug the monitor after starting it up with it plugged in, the external display doesn't work anymore.

     

    2. The Apple logo isn't lit up on the back of the laptop.  Does this mean its a hardware/screen issue?

  • by angelofarina,

    angelofarina angelofarina Dec 6, 2013 12:43 PM in response to rlfisher218
    Level 1 (40 points)
    Dec 6, 2013 12:43 PM in response to rlfisher218

    It looks that your backlight system is gone....

    Tha machnine needs to be serviced, in my opinion.

    If it is just the lamp, perhaps it will not cost a fortune...

  • by Ziggy2711,

    Ziggy2711 Ziggy2711 Mar 11, 2014 11:26 AM in response to rlfisher218
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2014 11:26 AM in response to rlfisher218

    Hi rlfisher,

     

    Did you ever find a resolution to your problem?  This just happened to me and I am looking for a solution since my laptop "symptoms" match yours almost exactly.  One thing to add, my keboard lights will work at times but sometimes they won't.  Strange. 

     

    Anyway, let me know.  Thanks!

  • by rlfisher218,

    rlfisher218 rlfisher218 Mar 12, 2014 5:22 AM in response to Ziggy2711
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Mar 12, 2014 5:22 AM in response to Ziggy2711

    I did not.

     

    Unfortunately I think I've exhausted all the quick, easy, cheap fixes.  I think I just have to have the screen replaced.  My problem is that this computer is my work computer and I need it 10+ hours a day, most days, and by the time I'm done or on weekends, the computer repair places are closed.  And I'm the only person in my office that does what I do, so its not like I can let somebody else pick up the slack for a few days.  So I'm kind of stuck until my boss upgrades our laptops or I take a vacation.

  • by Wacken,

    Wacken Wacken Jul 20, 2016 9:22 AM in response to rlfisher218
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 20, 2016 9:22 AM in response to rlfisher218

    I have the same problem, if someone could advise on this one it would be great.

    My backlight and second screen are working (I'm not getting video on primary display)

    already tried solutions mentioned above with no luck.

  • by alex7375,

    alex7375 alex7375 Jul 20, 2016 6:09 PM in response to rlfisher218
    Level 2 (220 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 20, 2016 6:09 PM in response to rlfisher218

    I had a similar problem. One day my screen just did not work and was what looked to be non-functional. ( OFF ).

    The external display worked however via display port adapter.

    So this lead me to believe the MBP display was bad.

     

    So I opened up the back of my MBP and disconnected the power cable from the MBP systemboard to the Display.

    I then reattached the cable and closed up the MBP and powered it back on.

     

    Whala !....The MBP display was working again. So it turned out the power cable from the Systemboard to the Display was not making a good connection. Simply disconnecting and reconnecting the cable fixed the problem.

     

    I have a MBP mid-2012 13-inch.

  • by alex7375,

    alex7375 alex7375 Jul 20, 2016 8:08 PM in response to alex7375
    Level 2 (220 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 20, 2016 8:08 PM in response to alex7375

    MBP 13 Motherboard.jpg

  • by TSavill13,

    TSavill13 TSavill13 Sep 8, 2016 9:20 AM in response to Wacken
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 8, 2016 9:20 AM in response to Wacken

    Did you ever get this resolved?? I am having similar problems.

     

    Thanks,

    Thomas