Although there are many models of the Apple Macbook computer, the problem of having a blank screen can occur on any model regardless of the screen size or the version of Mac OS X installed on the computer. Blank screens can sometimes be difficult to diagnose for the average Mac user because there are so many potential causes. By knowing the four most common causes for a blank screen on a Macbook, you can typically resolve the issue quickly.
GUI Crashes
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Macbook computers tend to not crash very often due to the stability of the Mac OS, but when they do, blank screens are a common component of the crash. Blank screens caused by crashes occur because the Graphical User Interface has stopped performing correctly. In most cases, the GUI restarts itself and the Macbook screen comes back on after 30 seconds or less. If the Macbook screen stays blank even after several minutes and restarting the computer, it is possible that the graphics card in the Macbook has stopped working.
Sleep Mode
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Some Macbook users with blank screens have discovered that the blank screen occurs due to sleep mode. When a Macbook is put into sleep mode, the power on the computer is conserved by turning off the display and other features. The Macbook is supposed to automatically come out of sleep mode when the user presses a key or moves the mouse, and while the computer typically comes out of sleep mode without delay, sometimes the screen remains blank. Apple has released updates to the operating system to fix this issue.
Bad Screen
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When the GUI crashing and sleep mode aren’t to blame, the next potential cause of a blank screen is a problem with the screen itself. Even if your Macbook’s screen appears to be in great shape, it is possible that something is wrong with it on the inside and that this is causing the screen to remain blank. Testing for a bad screen is as simple as connecting the Macbook to an external monitor. If the screen doesn’t appear blank on the external monitor, then the screen on the Macbook is likely to blame for the blank screen problem.
Power
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Lack of power is by far the most common cause of a Macbook with a blank screen. Even if you think your Macbook has some power remaining through the battery, it is possible that it does not. With low or no power at all, the screen on your Macbook will remain blank. Most users find that plugging in and charging the Macbook solves the issue, although others find that the screen remains blank. In this case, it is likely that there is a problem with the Macbook receiving power and not properly charging.
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