mvmum
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: 2011 MBP repeatedly going dark (brightness indicator shows it going down), keyboard still lit

My 2011 Macbook Pro repeatedly goes dark (keyboard is still lit up) when i am using it the last couple of days.  I repeatedly hit the brightness button and it will usually go up after I keep hitting it- but soon goes dark again.  Any ideas what could be going wrong?  This happens while it is charging and while not charging as well.  Thank you for any help!

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Dec 28, 2015 9:28 PM

Close
mvmum

Q: 2011 MBP repeatedly going dark (brightness indicator shows it going down), keyboard still lit

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by jeffd55,

    jeffd55 jeffd55 Dec 30, 2015 8:15 AM in response to mvmum
    Community Specialists
    Dec 30, 2015 8:15 AM in response to mvmum

    Hello mvmum,

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. 

     

    I see that you are having issues with the display "going dark" when you are using it. It sounds like something is going on with the brightness controls and I have a couple of things to try for this. 

     

    First, I would suggest resetting the System Management Controller (SMC). One of these settings is the display backlight. 

    Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac

     

    Nest, test the ambient light sensor by turning it off and see if it is still "going dark"

    Calibrating displays with built-in ambient light sensing

    turn off ambient light sensing in the Displays System Preferences:

    1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple () menu.
    2. Choose Displays from the View menu.
    3. Disable the option "Automatically adjust brightness as ambient light changes".

     

    Happy New Year