Sonoma: Macbook Pro (M1 2020) Touch Bar is not working after update (Flickers during restart then once logged in, it disappears)

Hi, I have the same problem on a Macbook Pro 13 Intel Late 2018. After upgrading to Sonoma the Touch Bar doesn't work. It doesn't turn on. I checked everything, did various resets and tried all the various solutions but nothing. It worked perfectly before.

I noticed that the Touchbar process in the system monitor is not active. Is it possible to launch the process via terminal? I don't know what else to check

So I have the similar issue with strobing but mine is a bit different. I have a 2020 M1 Mac Pro. When I upgraded to Sonoma, the touchbar froze completely and I couldn't access any of the commands. However, when I jumped through all the recommended hoops, I ended up with a strobing touchbar that constantly sent commands to my computer. I had to change the settings because I can't turn it off. I have it set to window control, which is the least damaging because when it starts strobing, all it does is switch windows really fast.

Im in the same situation, after updating the OS in the last Sonoma 14.2.1. update, my touchbar remained blank, I factory reset the computer, deleted my information, and achieved nothing. my activity monitor also closes unexpectedly. I hope to find a solution, updates are supposed to improve

Curious if you've tried to personalize the Control Strip in the settings to remove all the elements of your Touch Bar? I believe that should work since the Touch Bar would be empty.

I have written the details on how to do that in this blog post.

Keep us updated!

To be honest I couldn't find out if this is a software glitch, or physical damage. Sometimes laptop worked for several days without any issue, sometimes it didn't start up properly. Brought it to several repair shops, actually going back to Monterey fixed the problem, however some of my software did not work. Was ****** off so much, so decided to upgrade to m3 air 512 8. I guess you might be okay with previous macOS version.

I've got a 2018 running Sonoma. Based on the shining the light at the camera trick, I wondered if the flickering had something to do with adjusting the keyboard brightness to the ambient light.

Sure enough, I turned off the "adjust keyboard brightness in low light" function, turned on Touch Bar Zoom (so I could access the functions even if they weren't lit up), then restarted, no more flicker. The Touch Bar is black, but the zoom feature allows you to access it. The only key I really use on there is escape and I know where that is. Could probably also just label the bar, as others have done with tape, but doesn't even feel necessary. Huge relief.

Sorry I didn't realize I had an intel cpu :-(

all good, thanks for the help tho

This happened to me once. Although nothing displayed, I could touch it and the functions still worked. A reboot made it work again.

when restarting your computer? it fixed the touchbar issue?

i can't even touch mine to use the functions as if the on-touchbar-screen buttons were there :/

i wish :/

I have the same exact issue, except the flickering. The bar is completely black but for instance the brightness control still works if you find the right place to touch.

I rebooted the Mac and it worked, now the bar is working properly. I hadn't much hope, but it worked!:-)

I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY ACTIVITY MONITOR. :(