M2 Air display sometimes stays black after waking

[halledise]

That might be (and is probably) true. However - as pointed out before - one would hope that it could still be mitigated in software/firmware (after all a reset “fixes” it). OTOH, since it has not been addressed so far (and the issue has been around for a year or two), maybe it can’t be.

Apple are quite capable of throwing out machine specific OS updates, as these screenshots from mr. macintosh shows) (and separate firmware updates for that matter) but in the case of the venerable M2 Air, they choose not to.
(wtf not Tim?)
perhaps it's so owners will finally have had enough, throw up their hands and get out the wallet for an M3.
on that - all the best with your new M3 🙏

 

[diego.caraballo]

since in Ventura one could at least continue to use the machine “blindly” (e.g. over the network) or - presumably - with an external display.

I tried once (while in Ventura) to connect an external display when my screen wouldn’t wake-up.
Doesn’t work well. Everything is really slow, even the cursor movements.

 

[boondocks]

I tried once (while in Ventura) to connect an external display when my screen wouldn’t wake-up.
Doesn’t work well. Everything is really slow, even the cursor movements.

Good to know, thanks. ( I never tried that (while I still had the M2)). I wonder if some process/driver somehow keeps trying to access the "dead" screen slowing things down.

Also something else one could try is to install an arm-compatible Linux on an M2 that exhibits the problem and see how that behaves (e.g. whether the "screen stays off" issue happens, and if it does whether it can recover from that condition without a reboot). There at least one has access to the source code so could tinker with it (unless maybe some of the drivers used are only available in binary? (also true if the issue would need rectifying in firmware)).

 

[boondocks]

On a recent visit to an Apple store (road trip!) there were a total of two M2s on display (both 13” MacBook Airs). On one I could reproduce the issue (by activating the “display sleep” via hot corners, after which it crashed/rebooted) while the other did not seem to have the problem. The store staff did not seem to be very knowledgeable about (or interested in) the problem.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Still happening on Sequoia final release unfortunately.
The last hope for a software fix gone 😔

 

[kae3112]

Still happening on Sequoia final release unfortunately.
The last hope for a software fix gone 😔

Yeah. It's so over!!! I specifically opted for macOS 15 public beta to report the problem if it persisted. I've till date reported more than 30 times during the beta phase over the last two months. I guess its never getting fixed at this point.

 

[boast]

I'n disappointed this is still happening with Sequoia as well. With the macbook also out of warranty, what can I even do anymore?

 

[diego.caraballo]

I'n disappointed this is still happening with Sequoia as well. With the macbook also out of warranty, what can I even do anymore?

Macbook Air M4 is under manufacture right now.
Apple will look to other side and pretend that the M2 never existed.
Our only option is a trade-in with Apple, because to sell this machine as it's now, would be a dishonest thing to do.

 

[yonatankremer]

M2 MBA owner too. I struggle to recreate it, but it seems to happen almost every time I connect the mac to an external display while it is closed. It is annoying, but I have no warranty, and it isn't freaking-me-out bad, it happens once every 3-4 days. For these reasons, I won't send it for a fix, not worth the price or time without a computer for me. That's why I wanted to ask - what are the odds I ask apple for a replacement and they give me an M3 machine? (As getting another M2 MBA won't solve the problem). Should I wait for the M4 MBA? I assume they won't even sell the M2s anymore, then they wouldn't even be able to offer me anything older than the M3 MBA.

 

[Bigwaff]

That's why I wanted to ask - what are the odds I ask apple for a replacement and they give me an M3 machine? (As getting another M2 MBA won't solve the problem). Should I wait for the M4 MBA? I assume they won't even sell the M2s anymore, then they wouldn't even be able to offer me anything older than the M3 MBA.

Odds are nil. Apple hasn’t even officially acknowledged the problem and you are out of warranty.

 

[diego.caraballo]

M2 MBA owner too. I struggle to recreate it, but it seems to happen almost every time I connect the mac to an external display while it is closed. It is annoying, but I have no warranty, and it isn't freaking-me-out bad, it happens once every 3-4 days. For these reasons, I won't send it for a fix, not worth the price or time without a computer for me. That's why I wanted to ask - what are the odds I ask apple for a replacement and they give me an M3 machine? (As getting another M2 MBA won't solve the problem). Should I wait for the M4 MBA? I assume they won't even sell the M2s anymore, then they wouldn't even be able to offer me anything older than the M3 MBA.

Click  > Lock Screen
Touch ESC to turn OFF the screen and any other key to wakeup.
Repeat.
If you are experiencing the same issue as us, odds are that you can't do this more than 2 o 3 times without the Mac crashing.

 

[yonatankremer]

Yep.

 

[yonatankremer]

Very likely I'm not the first to notice, but I suspect it happens when the lid's shut too! (external keyboard). I wonder if the display actually wakes up. Anyway, waiting for the M4s to shoot my shot, nothing to lose really.

 

[johnc22]

Your best bet is to wipe the machine and trade it in for an upgrade. It's too expensive to repair, IMO. Of course this is probably what Apple wants, either you paid for Apple Care and they fix it for you, or you didn't and you pay anyway upgrading.

 

[hirochi]

Hello guys, I am experiencing this issue too.
Does someone tried macOs 15.1 beta version and can confirm the problem exists or it is completely gone ?
Also what is your opinion of making a clean install of Sequoia via bootable USB? (not just wiping HD and reinstall through options - which is installing Sonoma first)

 

[yonatankremer]

Hello guys, I am experiencing this issue too.
Does someone tried macOs 15.1 beta version and can confirm the problem exists or it is completely gone ?
Also what is your opinion of making a clean install of Sequoia via bootable USB? (not just wiping HD and reinstall through options - which is installing Sonoma first)

not gone.

 

[qinan]

I have a MacBook Air M2 (256 GB, 8 GB RAM, 13-inch, running Sequoia 15.0.1) that I’ve been using for over a year now. I tried to recreate an issue by clicking ‘Apple’ from the desktop -> Lock Screen -> pressing ‘ESC’ to turn off the screen -> pressing any key to wake it up.
i also click ’apple‘ from the desktorp -> sleep -> press any key to wake it up.
both methods gave normal result, the issues not appears.
I tried this more than six times, and my computer seems fine and normal. I also tried waking the computer using the fingerprint sensor instead of pressing any key, and still, no problem was found—my computer woke up normally. I think it’s a software issue.


However, I do have one issue: when I wake up my MacBook Air M2 by opening the lid, the screen brightness is usually too low/dim,

 

[hirochi]

Just go to Apple icon on top then left press Sleep and immediately press any key around two times. It is essential to do it immediately after you press Sleep and tell the result please

 

[OKoP]

I've been experiencing the exact same problem with my MBA 2022. A factory reset didn't help. The advisor at the Apple's genius bar was absolutely useless and treated me like an idiot. I'm now trying to convince them that it's a hardware problem and my display should be replaced under the warranty.

 

[halledise]

I've been experiencing the exact same problem with my MBA 2022. A factory reset didn't help. The advisor at the Apple's genius bar was absolutely useless and treated me like an idiot. I'm now trying to convince them that it's a hardware problem and my display should be replaced under the warranty.

as deduced from earlier consensus, it is indeed a hardware issue.
a faulty lid sensor being the most likely culprit.
a small but most annoying feature to bear with on what is otherwise a most excellent notebook …
buckley's chance of initiating a 'repair' program for it though

 

[wrv]

Hello,

Does this issue exist for all M2's? Or is it more of a one in a 10000 manufactured units problem?
I tried to recreate the issue without an external monitor but I cant seem to crash or make the screen not turn on instantly.
Important to mention that the M2 Air is 20 days old, got it recently.

 

[OKoP]

Update: I managed to arrange an actual repair under the warranty. Apple replaced my display and the lid angle sensor and the problem is now resolved.

 

[halledise]

Update: I managed to arrange an actual repair under the warranty. Apple replaced my display and the angle lid sensor and the problem is now solved.

very well done!

 

[cmiksovs]

I'm still having this issue now many months later and it's a total PITA. I gather it appears to be a lid sensor and display issue.
I'm out of warranty now. Does anyone know if it's cheaper to pay to have this repaired (new lid sensor and display) or to just upgrade to an M3? I'm tired of worrying about whether my machine will be alive every time I open the lid. $3k for a top-of-the-line POS. What b.s.

 

[OKoP]

I'm still having this issue now many months later and it's a total PITA. I gather it appears to be a lid sensor and display issue.
I'm out of warranty now. Does anyone know if it's cheaper to pay to have this repaired (new lid sensor and display) or to just upgrade to an M3? I'm tired of worrying about whether my machine will be alive every time I open the lid. $3k for a top-of-the-line POS. What b.s.

I would try with Apple first, they might do it for free outside of warranty since it’s their hardware fault from manufacture. Worth trying.