2013 MacBook Pro Retina 13" Will not boot and stays on black screen

[ericeric1010]

My mac has been working perfectly for the past 3 years. I opened it up after waking up and nothing happens, the screen is illuminated (I can see the apple logo on the back glowing) but is unresponsive. I tried resetting it and doing a pram reset but nothing will work. When I plugged in an external display I was able to boot it into safe mode and got to my desktop. Connected to the monitor the Mac will not boot unless in safe mode? Any ideas? I am a university student and rely on my computer for everything. Thanks in advance!

 

[LiveM]

Can't you also do a boot from the cloud? Hold down M or something.

 

[JohnDS]

MacBook Pros from 2011 to 2013 had video card problems and Apple has an extended warranty for that problem. See:

https://www.apple.com/ca/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

Use your Mac's serial number to see if your Mac is entitled to a free repair.

Also, if you bought AppleCare when you got your computer, it is still under warranty and I would suggest you make an appointment with the genius bar in your local Apple Store and take the computer in.

 

[ericeric1010]

MacBook Pros from 2011 to 2013 had video card problems and Apple has an extended warranty for that problem. See:

https://www.apple.com/ca/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

Use your Mac's serial number to see if your Mac is entitled to a free repair.

Also, if you bought AppleCare when you got your computer, it is still under warranty and I would suggest you make an appointment with the genius bar in your local Apple Store and take the computer in.

The computer is a 2013 Macbook Pro 13inch, It is not covered under this free repair. I do not have apple care and the warranty has expired.

 

[JohnDS]

Can you run the Apple Hardware Test?

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201257

Also, you said you "reset" the Mac. Not sure what you meant. Unless you meant that you reset the SMC, you should try that too: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201295

 

[ericeric1010]

Can you run the Apple Hardware Test?

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201257

Also, you said you "reset" the Mac. Not sure what you meant. Unless you meant that you reset the SMC, you should try that too: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201295

After running the diognostic test I got the following results
1. There may be an issue with the display. Reference code: VFD002
2. A 45W power adapter is connected, this system requries a 60W power adaptor to charge properly
3. The battery requires service

Any ideas? I could only get the diagnostic screen to open on the monitor. Unable to get it on the MacBook display

 

[JohnDS]

I think you have a hardware problem with the display and need to make an appointment at a genius bar. If you are in downtown Toronto, there is one at the Eaton Centre.

 

[ericeric1010]

I think you have a hardware problem with the display and need to make an appointment at a genius bar. If you are in downtown Toronto, there is one at the Eaton Centre.

I have an appointment for tomorrow, Hopefully it won't be costly. I am extremely disappointed that my mac just randomly decided to die. Thankfully I have all my files backed up!

 

[JohnDS]

If you have a spare external drive, it might not be a bad idea to make a clone of your whole drive.

 

[Tim112358]

I have an appointment for tomorrow, Hopefully it won't be costly. I am extremely disappointed that my mac just randomly decided to die. Thankfully I have all my files backed up!

I have exactly the same problem you (QUOTE="ericeric1010, post: 22536400, member: 1015859) describes and I wondered if you ever found out what the problem/possible fixes was? I have macbook pro (produced mid 2014 purchased Jan 2015 so just out of warranty) that boots with black screen, when connected to external display I see a frozen load bar, and I can only boot in safe mode while connected to external screen. Apple diagnostics says 'There may be an issue with the display- VFD002). I already tried the PVRAM and SMC resets. I also notef that when I do regular booting with external moniutor, at the point where the loading bar is freezing, I see a brief bright flash on my INTERNAL display (while apart from that it is always black and I can only see stuff on the external monitor). Also, the logo on the back of the screen lights but not the keyboard.. Thank you very much in advance already..

 

[Michael_mhr]

Hi all,

I also have the EXACT same problem as you.
How did you solve it?

Thanks in advance,
Michael

 

[ExSter]

Hi all,

I also have the EXACT same problem as you.
How did you solve it?

Thanks in advance,
Michael

Hello !

Me as well! I have exactly the same issue.
MBP 13" Retina Late 2013
Référence code : VFD002 - Display problem

How did you solve that ?

 

[Michael_mhr]

Hello !

Me as well! I have exactly the same issue.
MBP 13" Retina Late 2013
Référence code : VFD002 - Display problem

How did you solve that ?

EDIT:
I solved it by pressing the plastic part of the display assembly to the aluminium part with a pincer(german: Beißzange; is this the correct translation?).

To prevent the aluminium from scratches I put some paper over the aluminium.

Regards,
Michael

 

[ExSter]

I temporarily solved it by pressing the plastic wifi antenna and the display unit with a pincer(german: Beißzange; is this the correct translation?) together.
To prevent the aluminium from scratches I put some paper over the aluminium.

Regards,
Michael

What ?!

I mean, why would it be related to wifi antenna ?

Has Eric solved the issue in a similar way ?
[doublepost=1499376946][/doublepost]

I have an appointment for tomorrow, Hopefully it won't be costly. I am extremely disappointed that my mac just randomly decided to die. Thankfully I have all my files backed up!

Hi Eric,

What's the final status please ?

 

[ardaviraf]

EDIT:
I solved it by pressing the plastic part of the display assembly to the aluminium part with a pincer(german: Beißzange; is this the correct translation?).

To prevent the aluminium from scratches I put some paper over the aluminium.

Regards,
Michael

Thanks Michael
I had exactly same problem and I tried almost all suggested solutions. Finally, I solved it by pressing the plastic part at the bottom of the display by hand.

 

[Mookieville]

I saved the URL of this thread in November 2016, when I had the same exact issue. At that point, there were no solutions posted. I put my 2014 MBP away in the attic, bought a used late 2008 unibody, and used that for the past three years.

The 2008 has served me exceptionally well. Absolutely no complaints. I'm using it right now.

In early November 2016, my 2014 MBP would not wake up after I put it to sleep. I could tell that it was running, but the screen was black. I read about the issue and found that it might be possible to use the external HDMI monitor. That worked, in Safe Mode only. I reinstalled the OS, ran hardware tests, and got the response "There may be an issue with the display." VFD002

This thread deals with the same issue, and offers some insights and troubleshooting steps, as well as the opinion that the issue is caused by an unseated or intermittent cable: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7077614

I recently got the itch to try to resurrect the broken 2014 MBP, so I revisited this link and saw the posts by Michael_mhr and ardaviraf sharing the solution of applying pressure to the display.

I attached the power supply to the 2014 MBP. It immediately chimed and looked like it was again booting to a black screen. I quickly squeezed both lower corners of the display and for the first time in over three years, I saw the normal login screen. It has been behaving fine since then, with no need to manipulate the display. I have put it to sleep, woken it, shut it down and restarted it - all with success.

Back in 2016, the only way I could get it to boot was through an external HDMI monitor, in safe mode. Google Chrome would not even start up.

Until I saw the good news here, I had given up on fixing it, and I am really glad about that. The only expert advice I had found was that the integrated Iris video chip had dislodged from its bed of microscopic solder balls, and that it could perhaps be fixed by baking or replacing the motherboard. The other thread mentions a quote of $1,100 for Apple to fix the issue.

I'm not sure if the squeezing trick resurrected my MBP, or if perhaps all volatile settings had been flushed. The battery had drained to 0% and the clock had reset to Jan 01 2015, so that may have been a factor. In any case, thanks to all who have taken time to post their frustrations and triumphs regarding this issue. I am in your debt.