Apple Studio Display: Power and Startup Issues

Troubleshooting no power

Troubleshooting display recovery mode or ellipsis messages

Troubleshooting no power

Identify issues

  • The display doesn’t turn on

  • No image appears on the display

  • No sound from fans

Try quick troubleshooting steps

  1. Ensure that you’re using the Thunderbolt 3 port on Studio Display to connect to a compatible device.

    • Important: On Studio Display, the port with a lightning icon supports Thunderbolt 3 — connect a functioning, compatible Mac or iPad to this port. The other ports are USB-C only and used for accessory charging and data. Refer to the user guide for more details.

    • Note: Studio Display doesn't have a power button or status light. The display turns on automatically when it receives a video signal.

  2. Ensure that you’re using the display with a Mac that has a compatible Thunderbolt port. Refer to Connect a display to your Mac.

  3. Ensure that you’re using a functioning, compatible Thunderbolt cable to connect the display and Mac. Refer to About the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Cable and Adapters for the Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C port on your Mac.

  4. Inspect the power cord for damage.

     Danger: Do not plug the display power cord into an electrical outlet if the cord is damaged. The power cord is designed to remain attached to the display. If the power cord is detached but not damaged, follow the display’s repair manual procedures to reconnect it to the display.

  5. Plug the display power cord into an electrical outlet. Use a functioning, compatible Thunderbolt cable to connect the display to a compatible Mac. Turn on the computer, listen for the display fan, and verify that an image appears on the display to ensure that both the computer and display are on.

Run manual tests

If your issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:

  1. Follow instructions in Apple Studio Display: Apple Self Service Diagnostics to install Apple Service Utility and other Studio Display resources on the host Mac.

  2. Open Apple Service Utility and check the main window to confirm that the app is running.

    Apple Service Utility Main Window
  3. Follow device connection instructions in the main app window to connect the display and Mac with the Thunderbolt cable.

    Studio Display connect to host Mac
  4. Ensure that Apple Service Utility detects a Studio Display with power and displays its connection status, including whether the correct cable is used:

    • A compatible Thunderbolt cable is required to connect the display to the host Mac and run Self-Service diagnostic suites.

    • After a repair, a USB-C charge cable is required to connect the display to the host Mac and run System Configuration.

  5. If Apple Service Utility indicates that the Studio Display has power but doesn't show an image, continue troubleshooting as display and image issues.

    • Note: If you've just completed a Studio Display repair, you must run System Configuration before you can run diagnostics or use the display. Studio Display may remain blank after repair until you run System Configuration. Learn how to initiate the System Configuration process at support.apple.com/self-service-repair.

  6. If Apple Service Utility indicates that the Studio Display has power and shows a restore message that the display is in recovery mode, or shows an ellipsis icon instead of an image, continue troubleshooting as display recovery mode or ellipsis messages.

  7. If Apple Service Utility does not detect Studio Display when you connect it, continue with following troubleshooting steps.

Open and inspect the display

If your issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the display's repair manual to open and inspect the display. 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 your issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the following parts one at a time in the order shown. After you replace the first part, repeat the troubleshooting steps to determine whether the replacement resolves the issue. If it still isn’t resolved, replace the next part.

  • Replace the power supply boards.

  • Replace the logic board.

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 display recovery mode or ellipsis messages

Identify issues

  • A warning icon and “support.apple.com/display/restore” appear on the Studio Display screen:

  • An ellipsis icon appears on the Studio Display screen during normal use:

  • Studio Display doesn’t show a connected computer’s screen.

Try quick troubleshooting steps

  1. If a warning icon and the link “support.apple.com/display/restore” appear on Studio Display, the display is in recovery mode and you need to update its firmware. Follow the instructions in If an error occurred while updating your Apple Studio Display.

  2. If the issue occurred while updating the Studio Display's firmware, quit Apple Service Utility, and then follow the steps in If an error occurred while updating your Apple Studio Display. Apple Service Utility may not be running to apply the firmware updates.

  3. Verify that a functioning, compatible Thunderbolt cable connects the Studio Display and the computer. If an ellipsis icon appears on the display during normal use, the cable is possibly not compatible. Refer to Set up and use Apple Studio Display.

  4. Learn about changes and features, and how to update firmware in What’s new in firmware updates for Apple Studio Display.

Run manual tests

If your issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:

  1. Ensure that the display's firmware is updated using the procedures listed in the previous section.

  2. Verify that a connected computer’s screen displays normally on the Studio Display.

Replace the part

Important: Do not replace any Studio Display hardware components for this issue.

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