MacBook Air Black Screen after macOS Catalina Update

thanks. It starts up but stops in the logo with an empty progress bar. That’s how far it goes. I am also considering switching to something cheaper it is definitively not worth the money you pay for it if you get only four years out of it and all these problems. Good luck

Similar issue happening with me and my Mid 2013 Macbook Air. I did the Catalina update as it was charging and forgot about it for a couple hours. When i came back the macbook was just on a black screen.

I've tried the SMC and NVRAM resets, i've tried booting into recovery mode and even burning an external OS to a usb but it never boots to anything other than the black screen. I've tried typing my password as some people have reported works but that didn't work in my case.

I've tried plugging it into an external monitor and that failed too. I literally can not get it to do anything besides boot to a black screen. There is no keyboard light or chime. When i close the lids, the screen turns off but it turns back on when i open it. Having it on charger vs not doesn't make a difference. I don't need any data off it and hoped i could boot into recovery mode but even CMD + R doesn't seem to do anything.

I'm pretty sure i've tried everything and i guess my next step would be to take out the SSD and Battery in hopes of getting it to boot

BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH

I am having the same problem with my Macbook Pro (2017 model). I just took it to the Apple Store and the technician was not surprised when I told him the problem. He made an appointment for an Apple Tech to call me tonight at 6pm to fix it on the phone.

How does an OS update do this kind of damage?

I have been with Apple for 30 years, but it's time to move on. They have lost the plot.

I plan to get a Chromebook and save myself this type of horrible problems.

Update to my first post: this morning again the screen stayed black. Dvd-player was unplugged, but this time my trackpad was plugged in. Unplugged it, and the screen immediately came to life, in a split second, and everything was completely functional. Strange. Again: is this a clue?

Pretty much the same here. I wondered if it was related to a bad relationship between my Mac Air and my iMac Fusion machine, which came thru the Catalina download unscathed. But, honestly, I've become too lazy to use the iMac. The audio on the Mac Air is fine, and occasionally I can get a glimpse of the screensaving color landscape thru the dark curtain. Then all is darkness. And every time I drive to Milwaukee Apple Store, they seem to condemn the ailing machine I bring but are kind enough to safely dispose of it in exchange for my buying a new machine. Amazon is selling reconditioned Airs for $500-$600, and a Prime Membership practically guarantees satisfaction or return it--thru Feb. Moreover, none of my previous 4-5 Macbook Airs lasted as long as my present one. With protracted daily use, the life of one of these small computers--which follows me everywhere--isn't more than 5 years.

Blargh me too – 13" Macbook Pro 2018 with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. If I change the sleep state to be screensaver it prevents it from going to sleep and from needing to reboot it. Not sustainable.

Called Apple Support, they just had me run the typical gamut of tests. NVRAM reset, SCM reset, repair Disk Utility....none of this worked.

What year is your MBA? And why would it be eligible for update if it’s obsolete? That doesn’t make sense at all. Mine is a 2018. There is no way these devices are obsolete.

Does anyone from Apple monitor these comments? Is there an “official” suggestion, other than buying another MacBookAir? :(

That’s fine, but doesn’t seem like the most practical work around considering you’re impacting energy efficiency of the machine. But thanks for offering that solution as well!

I have been in contact with Tier 2. I’ve sent over 20 hours on the phone with Apple plus the Apple Store. They don’t know or want to help, or both.

What did they say the issue was? And is your machine covered any sort of warranty?