Ever seen a MacBook white screen when booting up? You’re not alone. This is often called the “white screen of death” and it’s super annoying. In this post, we’ll go over the causes and step by step solutions to fix it.
What is the Cause of My MacBook White Screen?
Before we get to the solutions, let’s cover what might be causing your MacBook screen to go white.
A mac stuck situation can often lead to a white screen, especially during startup or while setting up. Here are the common culprits:
Software
Hardware
Display
OS
Let’s go over each of these and solutions.
Software Solutions
Force Quit Rogue Apps
Sometimes an app can cause your MacBook screen to go white. Try these:
Press Command + Option + Esc to open the Force Quit menu.
Select any unresponsive apps and click “Force Quit.”
If that works, your screen should go back to normal.
Safe Mode Boot
Booting your MacBook in Safe Mode can help you determine if the issue is software related:
Shut down your MacBook.
Press the power button and immediately hold down the Shift key.
Release the Shift key when you see the login screen.
If your MacBook works fine in Safe Mode, the problem is likely a third party app or login item.
Hardware Solutions
Check Display Connections
A loose connection between your MacBook and display can cause a white screen:
For MacBooks with external displays, check all cables.
For MacBook Pros with a Touch Bar, check the flex cable.
Reset NVRAM/PRAM
Resetting NVRAM (or parameter random access memory, PRAM, on older models) can fix display issues:
Shut down your MacBook.
Press the power button and immediately hold Command + Option + P + R.
Keep holding until you hear the boot chime twice or see the Apple logo appear and disappear twice.
OS Solutions
Reinstall macOS
If software solutions don’t work, you may need to reinstall macOS:
Restart your MacBook and hold Command + R keys to enter Recovery Mode.
Select “Reinstall macOS” from the utilities window.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstall.
Update macOS
Make sure your MacBook is running the latest macOS:
Click the Apple menu and select “About This Mac.”
Click “Software Update” to update.
If none of the above work, it’s time to go to an Apple professional:
Make an appointment at an Apple Store Genius Bar.
Contact Apple Support online or by phone.
Visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
These experts can diagnose more complex issues like:
Logic board failure
GPU damage
Failing display hardware
How to Avoid White Screen in the Future
To reduce the chances of getting a white screen in the future:
Keep your MacBook and apps up to date.
Don’t close your MacBook lid while it’s doing resource intensive tasks.
Use surge protectors to prevent power related issues.
Back up your data with Time Machine.
Additionally, resetting the system management controller (SMC) can help maintain hardware performance and prevent power functionality issues.
Wrap up
A white screen on your MacBook can be scary, but in most cases it’s a fixable problem. Follow the steps above and you should be able to troubleshoot and fix it yourself.
If you’re ever unsure or uncomfortable doing so, always go to an Apple professional. They have the knowledge and tools to diagnose and fix more complex problems and get your MacBook back to normal.
