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Macbook Pro Screen needs a torch shined on it to be seen.

Hi All,


Strap yourselves in for this issue. So one of my Mac's - a Macbook Pro 13" 2016 has a screen issue. When I turn it on the screen appears black. Wait don't go on to the next issue - it isn't a black screen of death. So if I connect a monitor it works fine - so the Mac is definitely loading up.


So - and this is where it gets weird - I was physically checking the screen using the torch on my iPhone and I noticed that if shine a light on the screen I could make out the login icons!! I managed to use the light to find the cursor and logon and the computer loads up fine. I've included a pic so you can see it.


I then checked the screen brightness using siri to put it to the max brightness and was able to navigate to the preferences to uncheck auto-adjust brightness and check and weird issues under displays but nothing changed it.


I've also attempted the following:

PRAM reset

SMC reset


I've also managed to restart and using a torch to cast light on the screen as before managed to start it in OS Recovery mode and re-install Catalina but it still doesn't reset the the screen or make it any brighter.


So basically, everything is loading up fine but the screen is black, if I shine a bright light on to the screen I can faintly see the desktop screen and login. Any ideas what the problem could be or anything else I can try?


Really appreciate your help on this.

Thanks.


MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Oct 28, 2020 12:29 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 29, 2020 2:04 AM

Thank you. Just to help others that may find the same problem. There is an official Apple Repair programme for some MBP's like mine with a defective screen: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/13-inch-macbook-pro-display-backlight-service


And the cost for a repair if it's not's covered under this scheme is currently £546 in the UK.


Hope that additional information helps.

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 29, 2020 2:04 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Thank you. Just to help others that may find the same problem. There is an official Apple Repair programme for some MBP's like mine with a defective screen: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/13-inch-macbook-pro-display-backlight-service


And the cost for a repair if it's not's covered under this scheme is currently £546 in the UK.


Hope that additional information helps.

Macbook Pro Screen needs a torch shined on it to be seen.

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