Dealing with an unresponsive or frozen screen on your Mac can be incredibly frustrating. However, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to try and regain control of your Mac’s display.
What Causes an Unresponsive Screen on a Mac?
There are a few common culprits when it comes to an unresponsive Mac screen:
- Software issues – Bugs, glitches, and corrupted files can all lead to a frozen screen.
- Hardware problems – Issues with the display, logic board, GPU, and other physical components can cause the screen to freeze up.
- Too many resource-intensive apps – Running too many demanding apps at once can overload the system and lead to an unresponsive display.
- Heat – Excessive heat from heavy usage can cause system problems and freeze the screen.
Figuring out what is causing the unresponsive screen is key to resolving the issue quickly. Let’s go through the steps to troubleshoot and fix a frozen Mac display.
1. Check Your Connections
The first step is to check your physical connections. Make sure the monitor cable is securely attached to the Mac if using an external display. Verify that all relevant USB, Thunderbolt, and power cables are properly connected too.
Disconnect and reconnect all of the cables, then restart the Mac to see if this fixes the frozen screen. Loose connections can definitely cause display issues, so this is an important first troubleshooting step.
2. Force Quit Problematic Apps
If checking connections doesn’t work, the next thing to try is force quitting any apps that may be causing problems.
Follow these steps to force quit an app:
- Press Command + Option + Esc to open the Force Quit Applications window.
- Select any unresponsive or problematic apps.
- Click Force Quit to close them.
- After force quitting problematic apps, see if the screen starts working again.
Forcing apps to quit will terminate any stuck processes that could be at the root of your display issue. This can get the screen responsive again in many cases.
3. Restart Your Mac
If force quitting apps does not resolve the issue, try restarting your Mac. A simple restart can clear out any corrupt software processes and get the screen back up and running.
To safely restart your Mac:
- Press and hold the power button until “Slide to Power Off” appears on screen.
- Slide the arrow button to power off the Mac.
- Once the Mac is completely shut down, press the power button again to turn it back on.
Many instances of display freezes and unresponsive screens are fixed with a simple restart. This will force quit all applications and cleanly reboot the Mac.
4. Reset NVRAM/PRAM
Resetting the NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) or PRAM (Parameter RAM) can help resolve unresponsive screen issues that persist after a restart. Here’s how to reset the NVRAM on a Mac:
- Shut down your Mac completely.
- Press the power button and immediately press Command + Option + P + R keys together.
- Hold the keys down until you hear the startup chime a second time after rebooting.
- Release the keys and let your Mac finish starting up.
Resetting NVRAM clears out potential display-related problems and lets your Mac load with default screen settings. This can fix screen freezes quickly.
5. Boot Into Safe Mode
Booting into safe mode starts your Mac with only essential software and processes active. This isolates problems stemming from third-party apps or accessories.
Follow these steps to boot into safe mode:
- Fully shut down your Mac.
- Press the power button to turn it back on.
- Immediately press and hold the Shift key after hearing the startup tone.
- Keep holding Shift until you see the login screen, then let go.
- Log in normally and use your Mac in safe mode.
If the display works normally in safe mode, then a third-party app or login item is likely causing the issue. You can disable startup items and remove recently installed apps to isolate the problem.
6. Run Apple Diagnostics
Running Apple Diagnostics provides a deep scan of your hardware to check for underlying components that may be causing the unresponsive display.
To run Apple Diagnostics:
- Fully shut down your Mac.
- Press the power button again.
- Immediately press and hold D key on your keyboard.
- Keep holding D until you see the diagnostics screen appear.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and your Mac will diagnose itself for hardware issues.
- Make a note of any error codes displayed on screen after diagnostics complete.
Apple Diagnostics will detect damaged or faulty hardware like the logic board, cables, sensors that can lead to display freezes. Make sure to contact Apple support if hardware issues are found.
7. Check for Software Updates
Having outdated software can also contribute to display problems on a Mac. Make sure to install the latest versions of macOS, apps, drivers, and firmware.
To check for macOS updates:
- Click the Apple menu then choose System Preferences.
- Go to Software Update.
- Click “Check Now” to search for available updates.
- Install any macOS updates that are found.
Check the App Store for app updates too. Keeping your software completely up to date will prevent bugs and glitches that can interfere with your display.
8. Contact Apple Support
If you still can’t get your Mac’s screen back up and running, it’s time to contact Apple support. They can help troubleshoot the issue and may facilitate a repair or replacement if your Mac is under warranty.
You can contact Apple support by:
- Calling 1-800-275-2273
- Scheduling a callback or support appointment at getsupport.apple.com
- Bringing your Mac to an Apple store for in-person support
Apple support has more advanced diagnostic tools to get to the bottom of your unresponsive display problem. They can even set up a repair or replacement if needed.
9. Attempt an SMC Reset
Resetting the Mac’s System Management Controller (SMC) can help resolve stubborn display issues. The SMC controls low-level functions like display power management.
To reset the SMC:
- Shut down your Mac completely.
- For laptops: Press Shift + Control + Option keys on the left side of the keyboard and the power button simultaneously. Hold for 10 seconds.
- For desktop Macs: Unplug the power cord. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. Then plug the power cord back in.
- Wait a few seconds then power your Mac back on.
Resetting the SMC will dump existing power management settings which can correct display problems in some cases. Give this a shot before resorting to more drastic measures.
10. Try Using an External Monitor
Using an external monitor is an easy way to determine if the screen freeze is isolated to the built-in display. Connect your Mac to an external monitor or TV using an HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA cable depending on your model.
If the external display works fine, then the internal screen likely has an issue. If the external monitor also exhibits problems, then graphics or software problems are more likely.
Using an external display lets you see if display issues persist when switching screens. You can continue using your Mac with the external monitor while determining the best way to fix the laptop screen moving forward.
11. Attempt Data Recovery
A truly unresponsive, black screen can indicate underlying data corruption or hard drive failure. In these cases, attempt to back up important data before making system repairs.
Connect your Mac’s hard drive to another Mac using Target Disk Mode or a USB to SATA adapter cable. Then use disk recovery software to copy data off the drive before it’s lost entirely.
Be sure to get essential files off the drive while you still can. Severe freezing issues may be a precursor to complete drive failure.
12. Erase and Reinstall macOS
Erasing your startup disk and reinstalling macOS is an effective fix when all else fails. This completely resets your Mac’s software and often resolves stubborn freezing issues.
Make a backup first, then follow these steps:
- Boot into Recovery Mode by holding Command + R while turning on your Mac.
- Select Disk Utility and erase the startup disk.
- Quit Disk Utility, then choose Reinstall macOS.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to install the latest macOS version.
Reinstalling macOS gives your Mac a clean slate, which cures software-related display freezes. Be prepared to restore your data from a backup after completion.
13. Reset SMC and PRAM After Repairs
If you needed to erase your Mac or perform system repairs to resolve the display issues, make sure to reset the SMC and PRAM once you’re back up and running.
Follow the reset instructions above to clear these settings. This will let your Mac load with proper default settings following major system changes and repairs.
14. When All Else Fails, Get a Repair
If no amount of software troubleshooting has fixed your frozen Mac display, hardware repair or replacement is likely needed. Apple or a qualified technician can diagnose which internal component has failed.
Common repair options include:
- Display panel replacement – The LCD/LED screen may need replacing.
- New logic board – Motherboard issues can disrupt display output.
- Reconnecting display cables – Check for damaged cables inside the Mac.
- GPU replacement – A failed graphics card will affect the display.
Severe hardware damage may make a new Mac purchase more cost-effective than repairing. But replacing singular components like the logic board or display panel is preferable when possible.
Conclusion
Unresponsive screens are annoying but solvable Mac issues. There are many troubleshooting techniques to try on your own before paying for repairs. Be sure to isolate if the problem is hardware or software-related. Rule out third-party apps, macOS glitches, outdated software, and heat problems too.
With persistence and patience, you can get your Mac’s display back up and running. Don’t be too quick to get a pricey repair or replacement. Try safe mode, SMC and PRAM resets, reinstalling macOS and using external displays first. The problem may end up being simpler than it seems.
Back up your data and be prepared for an erase-and-reinstall if needed. Work methodically through isolation and elimination tips. And leverage Apple support when you’ve exhausted your own troubleshooting options. Take the right steps, and you can revive even the most unresponsive Mac screen.