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User profile for user: Alex_LVAnnie
Alex_LVAnnie Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

MacBook Air M2 black screen with cursor

This morning everything worked well, and now the computer starts up on a black screen (no cursor). I know its turned on because I can hear the chime and the keyboard lighting up. I tried connecting it to an external screen and it also shows a black screen but with the cursor visible. I tried holding the power button to start Mac OS recovery and nothing happens. the Mac is on Sonoma. Additionally, every time I press the space bar this assistance voice starts talking saying "selection, menu, language...". I tried "command f1" to mirror the screen to the external display and nothing happens, all I can see is a black screen and a cursor.

MacBook Air, macOS 14.0

Posted on Jan 6, 2025 12:58 PM

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User profile for user: D.I. Johnson
D.I. Johnson
User level: Level 7
27,269 points

Jan 6, 2025 1:08 PM in response to Alex_LVAnnie

If a simple reboot of your Mac doesn’t fix things, see if the problem still happens in safe mode.


How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support 


Safe mode will often correct weird software behavior by forcing the OS to do disk repair, clear caches and other housekeeping and temporarily disables third-party mods. When you're in safe boot, the machine won’t be at its best performance, especially with graphics, but that's expected.


Does the same thing happen while in Safe mode?


You can exit safe mode by restarting your Mac normally, then reevaluate the problem.





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User profile for user: Alex_LVAnnie
Alex_LVAnnie Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Jan 6, 2025 1:38 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

I've already tried starting the Mac in safe mode but I still only see a cursor on the external display and the integrated screen of the Mac does not light up at all (although it isn't cracked, it worked this morning). I think that the computer does start up on safe mode (explaining the assistant voice describing a menu and selection of disk), but there is no way for me to do or see anything. My guess is that Apple doesn't allow you to mirror the safe mode menu on an external display but only on the integrated display which doesn't work (which is pretty stupid). That explains why the external display shows a cursor but not the safe mode window. I really have no idea of what to do.

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MacBook Air M2 black screen with cursor

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