Mac Laptops Troubleshooting Display Issues
Troubleshooting display and image issues
Troubleshooting camera or ambient light sensor issues
Troubleshooting display and image issues
Identify issues
Read these articles if you notice any of the following issues:
Distorted, blurred, or illegible image
Inconsistent image clarity
Vertical lines of nonuniform brightness
Flickering or intermittent image
Video noise
Incorrect or missing colors
Nonuniform color, contrast, or brightness
Image sticks or remains on screen
Light leakage around the display
Particles or debris under the glass
Pixel anomalies
Horizontal or vertical lines
Can’t change resolution
Display not illuminated
Display backlight not uniform
Display backlight fails after warm-up
Display backlight fails at some brightness settings
About LCD display pixel anomalies for Apple products released in 2010 and later
How many displays can be connected to MacBook Pro
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Remove any cases, covers, or screen protectors.
Many display anomaly symptoms can be caused by one or more cracks in the display, including:
Vertical or horizontal lines or bands
Note: When both vertical and horizontal lines are present, it is highly likely to be related to a crack.
No display
Flickering or flashing screen
Distorted video
Clean the display surface with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to remove any dust or debris.
Caution: Disconnect all cables and turn off the computer. Don’t use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don’t spray liquid directly on the computer. Don’t use compressed air.
Ensure that you are not exceeding the specified maximum number of supported external displays for this model. Refer to Connect a display to your Mac and How many displays can be connected to MacBook Pro for more information about connecting external displays.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or trying the quick troubleshooting steps, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
Connect a functioning, compatible external display to the user’s computer. Connect the user’s computer to the user’s power adapter and charge cable that is connected to a functioning electrical outlet. The computer should turn on automatically if it is off when the power adapter is connected. First, check for an image on the built-in display. Next, check for an image on the connected external display.
If no image appears, or does not appear correctly on either the built-in display or the connected external display, logic board replacement is recommended.
If an image appears on both the built-in display and the connected external display, then continue to the next step to run diagnostics.
Run the Display Anomalies diagnostic suite. Inspecting the display during diagnostics can help expose and identify cracks within the display or display damage.
While observing the issue, move the display back and forth. Fully open and close the display several times to ensure that internal display cables aren’t pinched or short-circuiting.
Open and inspect the computer
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the computer’s repair manual to open and inspect the computer. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the display.
After the repair is completed, turn on the computer and verify that the image on the internal display, backlight, camera, and ambient light sensor are functioning normally.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Troubleshooting camera or ambient light sensor issues
Identify issues
Camera doesn’t function
No camera indicator light
Overexposed images
Poor white balance
Poor focus
Distorted or discolored images
Display or keyboard brightness doesn’t respond to changing ambient light conditions
Camera doesn’t respond to changing ambient light conditions
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Remove any cases, covers, or screen protectors.
Ensure that the ambient light sensor isn’t covered. It’s located at the top of the computer display near the camera.
Clean the display with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth.
- Caution: Disconnect all cables and turn off the computer. Don’t use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don’t spray liquid directly on the computer. Don’t use compressed air.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or trying the quick troubleshooting steps, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
While observing the issue, move the display back and forth. Fully open and close the display several times to ensure that internal display cables aren’t pinched or short-circuiting.
Open and inspect the computer
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the computer’s repair manual to open and inspect the computer. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the display.
After the repair is completed, turn on the computer and verify that the image on the internal display, backlight, camera, and ambient light sensor are functioning normally.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.