iMac Black screen even in recovery mode

Question

iMac Black screen even in recovery mode

Hi,

I have a black screen after boot (the system is running, i hear Voice Over). The black screen arrives after the startup (at the end of the loading bar).

The problem appears after an OS update.

The problem is here also in recovery mode, Internet recovery mode, local recovery mode, USB recovery.

Black screen also on an external screen.

No problem to start another OS like Linux or Windows in USB.

PRAM and NVRAM reset done : Option + Commande + P + R

Recovery options all tested : USB, Commande (⌘) + R, Option + Commande + R ou Maj + Option + Commande + R

HDD Erased

Do someone have an idea of the problem and a way to solve it ?

iMac (27 pouces, mi-2010

Thanks,

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Feb 11, 2022 10:55 AM

Reply

Answer 1

mingoslkd

Community Specialist

Feb 12, 2022 12:07 PM in response to jeromepoirier

Hi jeromepoirier,

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. We understand you're booting to a black screen, and we'd like to assist. It sounds like you've already tried all the steps in this article, correct?

If your Mac starts up to a blank screen

Typically, if the issue persists in macOS Recovery then this indicates it may be a hardware issue. You could try running Apple Diagnostics to check for potential hardware issues.

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac

If the issue persists, we recommend contacting Apple Support to look into support and service options.

Contact Apple Support

Take care.

Reply

Answer 2

Feb 13, 2022 10:03 AM in response to jeromepoirier

I made a USB stick with the Apple Hardware Test for this machine (tuto here : https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest) and run it. No problem found.

I think the issue is on the brightness controller (the issue appears on an OS update).

After the AHT, i tried a recovery with Shift + Option + Command + R and I was able to chose the language and access the menu with Disk Utility and Install Mac OS and then Black Screen....

No Idea to solve it...

Maybe Changing the Brightness controller card ? But if the problem was on the card, why AHT found nothing and why there is no problem booting Linux Live or a Windows Installer ?

If someone have an idea

Reply

Answer 3

ryane77

Community Specialist

Feb 15, 2022 11:14 AM in response to jeromepoirier

Hi jeromepoirier,

It sounds like you've done some solid troubleshooting so far. If you've reinstalled macOS and the issue persists, we recommend contacting Apple Support for further assistance.

Contact Apple Support

Take care.

Reply

Answer 4

Feb 20, 2022 10:11 AM in response to ryane77

Hi @ryane77,

I have NOT reinstalled MacOS because i have the same black screen in any recovery process (The system is working in background, I know it because Voice Over is active).

My next Idea is to try to remove the HDD and install the system through another iMac of the same generation (same model) and the put in back in.

I tried an installation of Windows 10 form scratch with Bootcamp Drivers after Windows installation and all is working fine in Windows. No black screen.

I have no Apple care support (it is a mi-2010 model)

Thanks,

Reply

Answer 5

Feb 13, 2022 2:23 AM in response to mingoslkd

Thanks @mingoslkd

When I try to run Apple Diagnostics (Option + D), I have this error before Apple Diagnostics run : Apple.com/Support -3403D

Thanks for your help.

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iMac Black screen even in recovery mode

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