Touch Bar not working after tahoe 26.3 update

Touch bar not working post tahoe 26.3 update not able to fix


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 26.3

Posted on Feb 16, 2026 3:24 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 16, 2026 8:09 PM

WandererPK wrote:

Nothing Helped still the display is out nothing works and apple isn't saying anything on this


Well sad story indeed.


—You can try reinstalling the macOS on top of the existing macOS and see if it resolves the issue...

from Recovery How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support



—You can try Revive the Firmware this leaves your data in place / if no resolve Restore the Firmware—this will wipe all user data— verify you have adequate up to date backups to restore your user data

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support


—You run the user Diagnostic...not as definitive as Apple's own AST2 (Apple Service Toolkit) back bench diagnostic, but may kick out an error code. Plug into power or it will generate a power issue by default.


Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac for hardware issues

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support



No resolve—


In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Outside the USA

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support




9 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 16, 2026 8:09 PM in response to WandererPK

WandererPK wrote:

Nothing Helped still the display is out nothing works and apple isn't saying anything on this


Well sad story indeed.


—You can try reinstalling the macOS on top of the existing macOS and see if it resolves the issue...

from Recovery How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support



—You can try Revive the Firmware this leaves your data in place / if no resolve Restore the Firmware—this will wipe all user data— verify you have adequate up to date backups to restore your user data

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support


—You run the user Diagnostic...not as definitive as Apple's own AST2 (Apple Service Toolkit) back bench diagnostic, but may kick out an error code. Plug into power or it will generate a power issue by default.


Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac for hardware issues

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support



No resolve—


In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Outside the USA

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support




Feb 19, 2026 10:21 AM in response to ashtrophysicist

I suggest at this point that you follow Leroy's suggestion for technical support from Apple:


Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Outside the USA

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support


I don't think there is some hidden command or key combination that someone reading Apple Discussions can suggest to bring back your touch bar at this point. I think there is something wrong with your Mac that requires technical support by a qualified technician. My Macbook Pro 2019 16" was recently updated to 26.3 and its touch bar works as it used to. Also, as you know, you can visit an Apple Store and see scores of new Macs with 26.3 and working touch bars. Yours may need service, unfortunately.

Feb 19, 2026 10:05 AM in response to WandererPK

It's not even that the TouchBar isn't working- it's that it no longer exists in my system. It's not in my keyboard menu, when I run 'killall ControlStrip' I get No matching processes belonging to you were found. It's like the update wiped TouchBar all together. Yes I have rebooted, yes I have shut down. I've run the terminal, the utility, I've tried everything. This is extremely frustrating.

Feb 19, 2026 9:01 PM in response to WandererPK

Hi, same here.

I'm coming from a 13-inch, M1, 2020 MacBook Pro.

I'm always on the slow train when it comes to my MacOs updates, primarily because as a good millennial I only really use it for big purchases, travel planning, etc. So this evening that I finally got around to updating after finalizing some plans (using Safari).

Updated to Tahoe 26.3 and BAM the Touch Bar was dead dead. I already tried doing three restarts, and it's still out.

I wonder how common it is tho. I also don't want to go in person to a Genius Bar appt.

It kinda made me sad to see it not working lol

Touch Bar not working after tahoe 26.3 update

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