2019 iMac Catalina black screen

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2019 iMac Catalina black screen

I've had the black screen problem since I installed (re-installed after failed installation) Catalina.

I zapped PRAM and NVRAM and set Energy Saver to Prevent automatic sleeping and put disks to sleep when possible (top two boxes checked) with everything else unchecked. I wasn't getting the black screen when waking from commanded sleep for a few days and then got it again this morning.

It may be related but I'm finding that after every single re-start I have to re-authorize several of the Keychain items in (user)-db (the top of the keychain list). I've re-set my Keychain password to match my login password several times now. This was an out of the box brand new 2019 iMac so I figured Catalina was practically made for this thing.. now I'm thinking about wiping it and returning it to stick with my 10 year old iMac because the old model actually worked.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Oct 13, 2019 8:12 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

regancm Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 20, 2019 6:27 PM in response to jon-w-s

I finally just used Apple Care chat for help and after connecting me with a Senior Assistant we identified it as a problem with the “Require password _______ after sleep or screen saver begins” option in System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> General tab. I unchecked it and the problem went away. We tested my MacBook and it did not have the BSOD issue so, it appears this may be a desktop unique issue for me at least.

I hope this helps folks out. I know it restored a bit of my faith in Apple Support..at least the chat part. I have no idea why their system failed to call me twice today. I’ve had them call the same number before with zero issues. I’d already checked the phone settings, Do Not Disturb was off and the Phone preferences were set to receive calls from everyone. I had a friend test call me and received other calls just fine.

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Answer 2

jon-w-s

Level 1

14 points

Oct 21, 2019 9:10 AM in response to jon-w-s

Update on mine. I removed the j5create drivers as linked the thread above. Shut down the computer and then turned back on. Problem seems to be fixed. Can close my screen and force sleep and the display comes back as it should each time.

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Answer 3

jon-w-s

Level 1

14 points

Oct 20, 2019 4:05 PM in response to regancm

I found a thread where people are removing the j5create adapter/dock files and that is solving their issues. I will try this as soon as I get home. For your review: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250716345?page=4

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Answer 4

jon-w-s

Level 1

14 points

Oct 18, 2019 8:08 PM in response to MoonJ.

This is an extremely common issue with Catalina as evidenced by a simple google search that Apple

should have corrected by now. 2017 MacBook Pro 13” now fails to show display upon wake. Touchbar and keyboard act as if the computer is awake but the screen is black (backlight on but no image).

safemode seems to make the issue disappear but it’s not a permanent solution.

Resetting nvram / smc does not accomplish anything.

This issue is rendering my laptop useless as I am forced to hard reset everytime

i try to wake the machine from idle sleep or lid closing.

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Answer 5

regancm Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 19, 2019 11:58 AM in response to MoonJ.

I reset the SMC and the issue persists.

I should say I am running Catalina with the most recent update.

I really hoped that would provide a fix for this super annoying issue.

I'll try Safe Mode and the iCloud Keychain suggestions during my next available troubleshooting time.

I can't keep spending hours on this stuff for a brand new machine and OS that are supposed to just.. work.

Thank you very much for your reply!

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Answer 6

regancm Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 20, 2019 10:46 AM in response to regancm

The Catalina Black Screen of Death (#CatalinaBSOD) saga continues. I booked an AppleCare+ session today only to have them email me saying they were trying to get in touch with me at the appointment time...while my phone was sitting right next to me. Apple used to be better than this. Yes, I checked my phone was on, set to all calls from everyone and had all of the do not disturb features disabled. I've also received calls from friends and texts (from Apple) on it just fine.

This is just sad, it's now past time for my second AppleCare+ call appointment today.

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Answer 7

jon-w-s

Level 1

14 points

Oct 21, 2019 1:20 PM in response to jon-w-s

The issue has returned after laptop was in my bag for awhile.

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Answer 8

MoonJ.

Community Specialist

Oct 18, 2019 6:38 AM in response to regancm

Hello, regancm.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities! You've done great steps so far to isolate the sleep/wake and iCloud Keychain issues you're experiencing.

You mentioned resetting the NVRAM, did you also reset the SMC? How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

Does the issue occur if your iMac is booted in Safe Mode? Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

Do you use iCloud Keychain with any other devices? If you do, try these steps:

-Turn off iCloud Keychain on all devices.

-Turn on iCloud Keychain on the device that has the most up-to-date keychain items.

-Turn on iCloud Keychain on your other devices.

I look forward to hearing back from you! Take care.

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2019 iMac Catalina black screen

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