Control Strip (Touch Bar) randomly disappears

I notice my touch bar on my late 2016 MacBook Pro, disappears randomly also. No consistent pattern. Sometimes it's when I am using it, sometimes when it sleeps and doesn't wake up. It happens while I am using different programs (all apple) apple mail, Safari, etc. The computer can be plugged in or not. To fix it I usually either switch programs and it comes back or shut the lid and it returns. Restarting my computer brings it back too. I do not have additional hardware plugged in. The additional problem, that is somewhat alarming, is that there are times when I open my lid and my screen is black and unavailable. Other than annoying I don't want to ignore it if it signifies a warranty issue within the hardware or a more complex issue.

This happens to me as well. I took the computer to apple and they ran a whole bunch of tests and found nothing wrong. They told me that its probably just a problem that has not been reported enough but to look out for an update that could fix it.

Same issue, Touch Bar disappeared but invisible keys are still working... I had the laptop just 2 days ago 😟

I've checked most of the forums and i found some solutions suggestions that:

- pressing to Fn keys will bring back the buttons. Not working.

- reset the SMC and NVRAM. Not working.

- refreshing Touch Bar. Not working.

and some ideas about the problem:

- Maybe it is a second screen (using Usb-c adaptor with) problem.

- It's a software problem which couldn't fixed about 3 years by Apple 🙂

So my Touch Bar's screen went off and no solution that i can do. Best option is to take the laptop to the Apple service. As far as i understood from the other people who done it before, Service's are changing the parts but can not fix it. And some users report that this problem exist till this crap Touch Bar added to MacBooks.

So this should be a very big issue to Apple but no any respond or a single word.

Still nothing found for this problem... 😟

Apple does still not reply? This is outrageous for a product that cost so much! The sound icon in the touch bar disappears whenever a DCMI (secondary screens) is plugged in on my macbook pro 15". I'm really getting tired of Apples poor relation with it's costumers!

Yes, I have this EXACT same problem with my 13" MBP. I don't know if it's time-based as there appears to be no consistency as to when or why the icons disappear, but usually everything except the 'esc' button will disappear. Sometimes if I touch where the icons/buttons should be they will reappear. However, I usually I then have to do the same thing as you - go to System Preferences and tweak what the Touch Bar shows to "reset" the icons.

Out of curiosity, are you hooked up to an external monitor(s) when this happens? I have only noticed this issue when I am hooked up to dual monitors via USB-C to DVI adapters.

I just got off the phone with Apple Support and the rep couldn't find anything in their notes related to the issue so he had me reset the SMC during startup (hold down Shift-Ctrl-Opt w/ power button for 20 seconds) and then the VRAM (hold down CMD-Opt-R-P for 20 seconds immediately after hitting power button), but I just came back to my computer after being away for about 15 minutes and the touch bar was dark all the way across.

With that said, I think I found a quicker / more convenient way to reset it moving forward. Hit the 'fn' function button in lower left of your keyboard and it'll present the the F1-F12 keys in the touch bar. As soon as you let go of the 'fn' button the touchbar reappears.

Just to add my 5 cents: I have only seen this happen when connected to an external monitor (USB-C to DP cable) but I don't know if that's just coincidence.

The "tap the fn" key fix seems to work for me to bring the icons back.

I also talked to tech support. They weren't aware of the issue. Sadly persists in 10.12.2

I'm also connnected to the new 4k UltraFine Display via USB-C - no dongle.

Fn key hit was also my temp solution.

I have this exact problem too, hooked up to one of apple's LG ultrafine monitors via usb-c. It's so annoying!

Posted a video demonstrating the issue here:

https://youtu.be/JDj1kZnm2_M

Yup same here.

Constantly tapping the function key lol.

I don't have parallels installed and I have the problems.

Same problem here. Almost everytime i open my laptop some part of the strip is black, if i touch the buttons they appear, hope next update fixs this problem.