When you upgrade to macOS Sonoma, you may run into the macOS Sonoma black screen with the mouse cursor. This article details the reasons and fixes for the black screen problem.
macOS Sonoma is the latest upgrade to macOS Ventura. However, many users face a macOS Sonoma black screen after the upgrade. If your Mac shows a black screen, your data is at risk of loss, and we suggest you fix it instantly.
We have discussed the possible causes and their solutions to fix the black screen issue. Also, there is an unlimited screen recorder or online screen recorder to elevate your entertainment experience. If your macOS Sonoma works fine, try our suggestion to record your screen hassle-free. Let's explore the reasons, fixes, and bonus suggestions!
macOS Sonoma 14.0 is the latest upgrade of Apple's operating system, macOS, for Macintosh computers, released on 26 September 2023. It is the successor to macOS Ventura and was announced at WWDC 2023 in June, named after California's wine region in Sonoma County.
macOS Sonoma has many features and improvements, primarily focusing on productivity and creativity. For example, app icons are now more round, widgets are entirely revamped, and the lock screen includes date and time, like iOS and iPadOS. The upgrade supports MacBook Air and MacBook Pro (2018 or later), iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio.
After upgrading to macOS Sonoma, you may run into three common scenarios:
You may notice a macOS Sonoma black screen due to the following reasons:
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Regardless of your situation after upgrading to Sonoma, you can follow these quick solutions to resolve the macOS Sonoma black screen issue. Check out these eight methods to fix the problem with detailed steps. Here is a fast list of these methods.
macOS update requires a sufficient power supply. Check the power supply when the MacBook won't turn on and shows a black screen. It could be that your Mac's battery has drained out. You must connect your Mac to a power source and wait some time before pressing the power button to restart it.
Another reason for your macOS Sonoma's black screen is that the connected peripherals block your system from booting up after the upgrade. Consider disconnecting them all to check if you can start and load the system from the black screen.
If it boots up successfully, reconnect the external devices individually to find which one's responsible for the cause.
macOS has a disk encryption feature called FileVault that helps protect data on your startup disk. You can fix the black screen issue once you turn off the FileVault on Mac.
Step 1. Boot into macOS Recovery Mode and open Disk Utility.
Step 2. Click your startup disk from the Disk Utility sidebar.
Step 3. Click File > Turn Off Encryption from the top menu bar and enter your admin password.
Step 4. Click the Apple menu and restart to see if your MacBook boots up.
Startup disk errors also cause a black screen. You can use a Disk Utility First Aid to check and repair your startup disk.
Step 1. Boot your Mac in Recovery Mode and open Disk Utility from the macOS utilities.
Step 2. Select your startup disk and click First Aid in the Disk Utility window.
Step 3. Hit Run to start check and wait until the process finishes before restarting your Mac.
The authorization database on the system may have some errors, causing your requirement for the rights from it to log into your Mac not to be granted. In such a case, your Mac gets stuck on the login or loading screen and shows a black screen after the upgrade. You can run a command to let the system replace the authorization database with a default copy.
Step 1. Enter the macOS Recovery Mode and hit Utilities on the menu bar to open Terminal.
Step 2. Copy-paste the command into the Terminal window and click Return. Replace Macintosh HD with macOS if your Mac startup disk is named macOS in Disk Utility.
mv "/Volumes/Macintosh HD/var/db/auth.db"
"/Volumes/Macintosh HD/var/db/auth.db.bak"
Step 3. Restart your Mac.
NVRAM, or Non-volatile random access memory, is the amount of memory in your macOS that stores system settings to keep the Mac boot up properly. Resetting NVRAM can also fix the unbootable Mac with a black screen.
Step 1. Shut down your Mac by pressing the Touch ID (power button).
Step 2. Hold the Power button again and press the Option key + Command key + P and R keys together for 20 seconds.
Step 3. Release all the keys until the second startup sounds out. Or until you see the second disappearance of the Apple logo.
Clean Install macOS Sonoma on your Mac by erasing your Mac and reinstalling the system. However, it can result in permanent data loss. So ensure backing your data first.
Step 1. Boot into Internet recovery mode.
Step 2. For Apple Silicon or T2-chipped Mac: Click Recovery Assistant on the menu bar and tap Erase Mac.
For non-T2 secured and Intel-based Mac: Click Disk Utility and select Macintosh HD (or macOS drive). Then click Erase.
Step 3. Back to the Utilities window, tap the Reinstall macOS Sonoma utility to install macOS Sonoma on your Mac.
You can turn off Automatic Graphics card (GPU) Switching, but this fix only works for black screens on dual-GPU MacBook Pro.
Step 1. Tap System Preferences from the Apple menu and go to Energy Saver.
Step 2. Toggle the switch next to Automatic Graphics Switching to disable it.
Step 3. Restart your Mac normally.
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macOS Sonoma black screen is annoying. But we have shared the plausible reasons and workable fixes to help tackle the issue. Check for the exact cause to use the right solution. However, if you wish to record your gameplay, video, podcast, or sound on your macOS Sonoma, don't forget to try EaseUS RecExperts for an unhindered entertainment experience.
Fixing the macOS Sonoma black screen can be frustrating. However, if any query still needs to be solved, these FAQs can help solve the doubts.
It can be annoying when you open CSGO and cannot see anything but hear the music. Try this fix to resolve the issue.
Step 1. Press Command h simultaneously to bring your desktop.
Step 2. Press the CSGO icon (on the dock: csgo_osx64) and click Show All Windows. Then tap the window that pops up.
If you are using a MacBook Pro, try restarting it by holding the Control + Command keys and Power/Touch ID button to restart it automatically.
Or, hold the power button for 5 seconds to shut down the system, wait for 15 seconds, and press the button again to reboot.
You can restart a MacBook via Terminal following these steps:
Step 1. Press the Command + Space keys together to open Spotlight Search and find Terminal.
Step 2. Enter the command: sudo shutdown -r
Step 3. Replace with the specific time you'd like to reboot your Mac. For example, type "now" to reboot immediately or +30 to do it after half an hour.
Step 4. Tap Enter and type your Mac's password when prompted.
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