Go to "System Preferences" on your Mac and select "Keyboard." Then, choose the "Keyboard" tab and ensure that the "Touch Bar shows" option is set to "App Controls" or "Expanded Control Strip." If it is set to "App Controls," try switching to "Expanded Control Strip" or vice versa to see if the touch bar lights up.
If that doesn't work, you can try these two other methods:
- Check for software updates: Make sure that your macOS is up to date with the latest software updates. Sometimes, Apple releases updates to address known issues and improve compatibility. Go to "System Preferences," select "Software Update," and check if there are any available updates for your Mac. Install any updates that are available.
- Safe mode and hardware diagnostics: Booting your Mac into Safe Mode can help identify if a software conflict is causing the touch bar issue. Restart your Mac and immediately hold down the Shift key until you see the Apple logo. If the touch bar works properly in Safe Mode, it suggests that a third-party software or driver might be causing the problem. You can also run Apple's built-in hardware diagnostics to check for any hardware-related issues. Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the D key until the diagnostics utility launches.
If you're still experiencing the issue, contact apple support. You may also wish to file a bug report.