Q: Mid-2013 Macbook Air screen goes black?

It may just be coincidence, but I've been running the beta seed of 10.8.5 for two days now and I haven't run into the black screen issue since.

I got a replacement today at the Apple Store in Brea Mall. First they wanted to troubleshoot the MBA to see the issues. Then they actually read the case notes. Then the "Head Genius" had to give it a once over blessing to ensure it was an issue. The "Head Genius" basically told me it was software telling it to go to sleep. It was showing Previous Sleep Code 5. He said the software I was running could be causing it or it was the laptop.

The customer next to me had an appointment for the same issue and we talked a little bit and you could tell the "Genius" wasn't happy with it. I was basically discussing my issues and what's coming up on the forums. The "Genius" told him it could very well be a different issue. But yet the issue I described to him was exactly the same as mine and your posts on here. You could tell the customer was more amped about the situation after we talked. It was funny.

Also, to see your Sleep Causes... launch Console. Under System Log Queries select All Messages. Then search by just typing in "previous". This may possibly help Apple Support if you can make note when it actually goes to sleep based on the issue we're all having Mind you, you will get this Sleep code when you set time puts it to sleep. So keep a note of that.

As an outsider looking in on this post, i have noticed that all of you are using the 13"  (is this true??) maybe its the 13 inch model that has the recurring issue???

Not me, I have the 11-inch MBA.

Sorry - I tried to delete this, I have no idea what I was thinking. Of course, I do have the 13-inch.

Message was edited by: fekkerfc

Same specs, same problem.  I took it to the apple store and they repaired disk permissions and told me it was probably parallels, which I agreed with until it happened without parallels running.... Other than that, they told me to just deal with it until I could figure out a trigger.... I called AppleCare prior to the store visit and they had a couple keyboard resets.... I should have MLeardo call for me, I guess!

i'm running an 11" as well so that doesn't seem to be the problem. I am running Chrome though which another user said that he thinks is the problem so thats common there. Anyone else confirm to be running chrome when it happens?

And snuffybear, I'll call if you would like! But seriously, you paid 2 grand for your machine, call back and say this is crazy and you want a new one. They'll have no problem accomodating you

Haha thanks MLeardo!

I think I might have actually called them too early- most of these comments discuss the problem after I called, and there is something to be said for strength in numbers!  Initially I thought it was Parallels, but Chrome would make sense too- I always had some kind of internet browser and parallels running, at least in the background.  But this most recent time, I had zero applications open of any sort. 

Perhaps the second time is the charm!

Snuffybear Do you use Chrome as your browser?

I used to until I fixed my safari problems, and now use safari.  I do have chrome installed still and probably had it running a couple times that the screen went out.

I have the same issue.

Symptoms: Actively using the laptop on a battery.  All of a sudden, screen goes black.  Click the trackpad - and it goes to login.  Login and all fine.

Specs: Macbook Air 2013 8GB, 256 GB, i7

Received a couple of days ago.

I contacted Support last week and they reset SMC and zapped PRAM. I just had the screen go black on wake again, so that hasn't fixed it (which isn't overly surprising).

I'll be calling back again later today.

Well guys i'm happy to say that I finally loaded my replacement computer and the wifi connects instantly instead of taking 10+seconds to get an IP from my WAPs.

Can't speak for the sleep issue yet, but I think that is software related...

Let's see what they come out with in the 1.0 Firmware update...

Hey all. I bought a 13in MBA 256/i5/4GB a few weeks ago and it had the black screen problem. Ended up returning it to get a 256/i7/8GB and am having the problems again... it happens pretty randomly. Very frustrating, will be calling applecare tomorrow.

No solution but thought I'd throw my hat in the ring. 13" 2013 MBA 128/i5/8gb exhibiting these symptoms. Have to say it's not my main machine so I really sympathise with those for whom it is. It usually happens to me when I lift the lid, then let go to to screen off, bring it back up and it shuts back off again within 30 seconds, that's the only pattern I've seen.

I've seen an old thread on something probably unrelated recommending turning off the auto brightness setting in sys prefs so I've tried that and will report back if it seems to have worked.