set up Mac with a broken screen

Question

Level 1

4 points

set up Mac with a broken screen

I have a relatively new < less than 1 year old) MacBook that has a broken screen. I factory reset it because we want to use it for something generic, so it shouldn't be connected to our company tools or anything.

The problem is that after the reset, it doesn't display anything useful on the external screen and doesn't wake up/function in clamshell mode. So I don't know how to set it up without seeing what is on the broken display.

I managed to reset it by using the external screen. Now I have the freshly reset Mac here with mouse, keyboard, and screen connected, which is effectively dead.

Any ideas?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Feb 4, 2026 12:53 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

141,169 points

Feb 4, 2026 9:32 AM in response to NordicFinn

to toggle the sense of "mirror Displays" type

Command-BrightnessDown

on some Macs under some circumstance that is command-F1

enabling "Mirror displays" should connect BOTH displays at a computed compromise resolution that can be achieved by both.

next, using the now-working external display, bring up the displays pane and set the external as Main display and Extended Desktop.

Then "arrange" the dead built-in display to a relative location where you will seldom move the mouse by accident. The built-in has to stay contiguous, but to the left and far down might be good.

Reply