Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Working on my Imac - screen goes black. Imac still on, but I can't do anything

When working on my Imac, suddenly the screen goes black.

And I can't do anything.

The Imac is still on, but nothing shows on the screen.


When I leave it like that for 45 minutes, and I go back,

the screen lights up again. I log in. Start working again. And boom, it's black screen again.


What is happening?

Does anyone know the solution for this problem?



iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Aug 30, 2019 1:44 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Aug 30, 2019 2:08 PM

Boot the computer from the Recovery HD:


Boot from the Recovery HD


  1. Restart the computer.
  2. Immediately, at or before the chime, press and hold down the "COMMAND" and "R" keys together.
  3. Release the keys when the Apple logo and progress bar appear.
  4. Upon completion the Utility Menu should appear.


Leave the machine in this state to see if the black screen reoccurs. If it does, then you have a hardware problem. Make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple. Also, see How to find your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or Distributor (AAD).


If the black screen does not occur, then it's likely you have a software problem. In this case see below:


A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


    Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
  2. Disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  3. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences.
  6. Start the computer in Safe Mode. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.
  7. Use Apple Hardware Test to see if there is any hardware malfunction.
  8. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  9. Repair permissions on the Home folderResolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder.
  10. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  11. Download and install the OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update or 10.12.6 Combo Update or Download macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Combo Update or Get MacOS Mojave now from the Mac App Store as needed.
  12. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.


2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Aug 30, 2019 2:08 PM in response to Bulbusaur

Boot the computer from the Recovery HD:


Boot from the Recovery HD


  1. Restart the computer.
  2. Immediately, at or before the chime, press and hold down the "COMMAND" and "R" keys together.
  3. Release the keys when the Apple logo and progress bar appear.
  4. Upon completion the Utility Menu should appear.


Leave the machine in this state to see if the black screen reoccurs. If it does, then you have a hardware problem. Make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple. Also, see How to find your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or Distributor (AAD).


If the black screen does not occur, then it's likely you have a software problem. In this case see below:


A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


    Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
  2. Disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  3. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences.
  6. Start the computer in Safe Mode. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.
  7. Use Apple Hardware Test to see if there is any hardware malfunction.
  8. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  9. Repair permissions on the Home folderResolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder.
  10. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  11. Download and install the OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update or 10.12.6 Combo Update or Download macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Combo Update or Get MacOS Mojave now from the Mac App Store as needed.
  12. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.


Aug 30, 2019 2:10 PM in response to Kappy

Continued from above:


13. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the

Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:


     1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.

     2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

     3. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

     4. Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

     5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

     6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

     7. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.


14. If none of the above helps then see How to Downgrade macOS High Sierra and macOS Reversion- 

      How to Downgrade from High Sierra.

15. If you get here without success then it's time to make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for 

      service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple.

Working on my Imac - screen goes black. Imac still on, but I can't do anything

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.