MacBook Air 2012 10.8.2 display won't come back on after screen timeout

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Level 1

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MacBook Air 2012 10.8.2 display won't come back on after screen timeout

Dear Apple users,

I have a MacBook Air 2012 running Mountain Lion 10.8.2, and today I noticed that whenever my display sleeps, I have a problem.

When the display sleeps, I usually press a key on the keyboard so that my login screen comes up.

Now, when I press a key, the screen flashes on and off (just black, and black on. so the backlight turns on and off), then goes back off. This keeps repeating whenever I press a key. It is not possible to return back to the login screen, so I have to hold down the power key and restart the computer.

Does anybody know of this issue? I installed Java yesterday, could it be because of that?

Thanks,

Prem.

Posted on Nov 16, 2012 8:23 AM

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Answer 1

riari

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2012 5:39 AM in response to DopeyRanger

I have a similar, but more serious, problem. My 2012 MBA as of this morning will not light the display. The proper screens are present and can be seen when I shine a light through the apple on the lid, but the backlight won't come on. When I restart, the backlight flashes momentarily, then remains off. Battery is fully charged. It's on the current release of Mountain Lion.

Any ideas?

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Answer 2

tarng

Level 1

0 points

Nov 17, 2012 7:29 PM in response to DopeyRanger

I have this exact same issue, and it happens to me frequently (multiple times a week, today 2x). Can't reproduce on command, but usually after periods of sleep (anywhere from overnight to 1 hour). Unable to find other people with this issue online, but I'm going to the Genius Bar tomorrow with recorded video evidence. You might want to do the same after backing up — it may warrant a replacement.

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Answer 3

mcsound

Level 2

304 points

Nov 17, 2012 8:03 PM in response to DopeyRanger

Have you tried resetting the SMC and PRAM?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

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Answer 4

tarng

Level 1

0 points

Nov 17, 2012 8:18 PM in response to mcsound

Just did that, will report back on effectiveness.

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Answer 5

DopeyRanger Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 18, 2012 7:38 AM in response to DopeyRanger

I found a workaround to this problem. What I did was, I set the screen timeout value to be the same as my sleep timeout value. So when my screen times out, my MA goes to sleep. This problem does not persist for sleeps, it only holds for screen timeouts.

Until Apple bring out an update, this is a good workaround.

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Answer 6

tarng

Level 1

0 points

Nov 18, 2012 10:10 AM in response to DopeyRanger

That's what I had before, and it was having the problems constantly. Anyway, will report back after Genius Bar visit.

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Answer 7

tarng

Level 1

0 points

Nov 26, 2012 8:39 AM in response to DopeyRanger

I took it to the Genius Bar, and they identified it as a hardware issue. Just got it back today. Parts replaced were:

620-5629 Display Module — Symptom: Distored/blurred/focus video issue

605-3284 Top Case with Keyboard — Symptom: specific key(s) do not work

So far so good. I'd suggest taking it in and not trying to work around it — it's a rare hardware issue (given the number of threads about it) and should be replaced.

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Answer 8

dougotte

Level 1

32 points

Aug 13, 2014 5:50 AM in response to DopeyRanger

I'm having the same problem. After display shuts down, pressing any key used to wake it up. Now, screen is still dark but mouse cursor shows and works. Screen then wakes up several seconds later.

I tried DopeyRanger's suggestion, but it didn't make a difference.

I'm using a 2013 Air running Mavericks.

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Answer 9

Sep 21, 2014 9:31 PM in response to tarng

I Know this was a thread a long time ago, but my air just decides to develop this problem along with a few months ago the built in camera wouldn't work. How much did it cost to replace?

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