Big Sur - Black Screen After Update?

I had the same problem after upgrade to big sur on MacBook Air 2017. I tries a SMC reset but it didn’t work.

However the boot in safe mode suggestion by holding down Shift all the way till you reach the final stages (past a safe boot query screen) has fixed my problem and the laptop seems to be working normally now.

You can solve the problem using a bootable usb with the previous MacOs, insert the usb, turn on the laptop and immediately press abd hold option key until de Boot options appear, the select the USB drive and follow the instructions.

when the process finished my laptop startup with Big Sur and Ok.

I have been using Macs from their inception. Bug Sur is without a doubt the worst OS that Apple has ever made (when it comes to upgrading and making a bootable hard drive). When this black screen issue happened to me the only way that I could fix it was to format the hard drive, and install the OS (11.2) from scratch. Make sure you've copied all your files before you format anything. I would use CCC for this. You can also use Configurator 2 to fix MacBooks that get "stuck" if you have another MacBook to connect to the stuck MacBook.

Seems like your LCD burned out, or your GPU did, or your install is corrupted, try recovery mode and reinstalling big sur

You need a USB cabled keyboard to get the job done. I went to the Geek Squad and he pulled out an old-as-the-hills keyboard from under the counter. I asked him to install Catalina. I don't trust Big Sur now. I'll wait until these accounts of black screens stop occurring.

Okay, here's an update. It's working now.

So, with days wasted getting no usable help from Apple support, option key this, PRAM reset that, trying to arrange for repair, getting told "it's your own fault", I finally just set the computer aside. It sat in its corner, plugged in, lid closed. This was two months ago.

Last week, I decided I wanted to open up the thing. Flipped the screen open. Lo and behold, it's sitting at the Catalina prompt waiting for login, midway through the Big Sur upgrade process. It spent the next two hours doing just that.

The laptop is now working again. It's now running Big Sur.

So, apparently, upgrading to Big Sur takes the machine just a bit of time: somewhere between a week to two months. Good job, Apple! Microsoft couldn't have done any better.

[Edited by Moderator]

RobAtAppleDiscussions wrote:

Okay, here's an update. It's working now.

So, with days wasted getting no usable help from Apple support, option key this, PRAM reset that, trying to arrange for repair, getting told "it's your own fault", I finally just set the computer aside. It sat in its corner, plugged in, lid closed. This was two months ago.

Last week, I decided I wanted to open up the thing. Flipped the screen open. Lo and behold, it's sitting at the Catalina prompt waiting for login, midway through the Big Sur upgrade process. It spent the next two hours doing just that.

The laptop is now working again. It's now running Big Sur.

…

You probably had automatic updating of your Apps turned on. So, in the intervening time, the errant Apps were upgraded to compatible versions.

(You may have received the Big Sur 11.2 update, as well. As I recall, even the 11.1 update helped some with «Black Screen» issues.)

In any case, I, and, I’m sure, many others, are glad all is well for you and your system, now.

So my problem is similar but a little different. I am using a Late 2016 MBP and I had the initial version of Big Sur installed and working properly with no hiccups. Then a few days ago I installed Big Sur 11.1 and this morning I get the black screen. I plugged up an external display and it works fine like normal, so it is my main Retina display that isn’t working I guess? Should I uninstall 11.1 and try reinstalling?

My 27 inch late 2015 IMac (is used lightly for home use for web browsing, looking through iCloud pictures) was running ace until it automatically updated to Big Sur and now it’s a black screen and a screaming fan. I’m wildly unhappy. As anyone would be if a major purchase just stopped working. I think my dismay is warranted, as is yours.

PattS452 wrote:

For me it did show as an “update” and now I have a brick instead of a working laptop.

While it did show up on the Update Panel, it was labeled an upgrade.

Unfortunately, I can understand people not noticing such a seemingly minor detail.

(Of course. Once one installs Big Sur, all subsequent updates are updates to Big Sur.)

Hello! I have a late 2013 MacBook Pro, I had the same problem while installing Big Sur (black screen). I did some research and on Apple help website it suggest to first hold down power to force shut down, then to hold power button again for 10 seconds. After 2-3 attempts, I got the password screen and installation of Big Sur has finished it’s process. The only problem seems that now, if I turn off my computer I have to do the same trick because It gave me a black screen when I tried to start. So as I rely on this MacBook Pro to work from home, I just never power off, just sleep mode.

here is the page I found to resolve temporary my problem: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210905

While you have a working machine, why not make a USB installer. With at, you can boot into it, do some disk checks and First Aid and run the installer over the existing system to refresh it.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211242

I am having this issue and went to genius bar in apple store in Dubai who told me that i/o board is damaged and needs replacement. They are charging me ~AED 465 tax for damage their OS update caused. How is that fair?

Welcome, christian1354, to Apple Support Communities!

The best or closest thing to a solution—for those that don’t have verifiable hardware failures—is the solution linked to in the comment: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252038388?answerId=254133966022#254133966022.

However, as with the person that posted the “solution”, I, likewise, do not recommend opening your MacBook!

Welcome, elmarklimov, to Apple Support Communities!

TOMWATSON2468’s approach appears to work, at least for some.

As I wrote to christian1354:

«The best or closest thing to a solution—for those that don’t have verifiable hardware failures—is the solution linked to in the comment: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252038388?answerId=254133966022#254133966022.

However, as with the person that posted the “solution”, I, likewise, do not recommend opening your MacBook!»

Basically, in whatever way you can get your Mac to boot up to a usable state, install Big Sur 11.1, perhaps best by a clean install.

I haven’t seen anything official from Apple clearing the “moratorium” on Big Sur upgrades on 2013–2014 MacBook Pros, but the 11.1 Big Sur version seems to have success with Macs that are not actually suffering from hardware failures.