Apple Cinema Display Broken or Won’t Turn On
If you’re using an Apple Cinema Display with the Mini Displayport Adapter, and it stopped working, well… I know the feeling. I just bought my display two days ago because I needed the built in camera and mic for video conferences. Plus, the LED backlit screen is pretty sexy too.
It worked great for a day, but then yesterday, when I plugged it in… nothing. The display was black. That’s a little disheartening after spending that kind of cash. Plus, getting in line for a return at the Apple Store is not on the top of my Christmas wish list. I could open my MacBook Pro and upon unplugging the Cinema Display, the screen in my MacBook Pro would come back on, but the external display just would not work. Well, it seems that the Power Management Unit in my MacBook wasn’t sending the proper signal to the display. The fix… delete a particular plist file. Yes… a plist file, the cause of so… so… many problems.
My particular setup is a late 2009 17″ MacBook Pro. I like to use it in clamshell mode (i.e. closed) with a USB keyboard attached an a Bluetooth wireless mouse.
So now that I know the fix, I’ve created a little Applet that does the fix for me. Basically all you’re doing is deleting a single plist file located at:
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.PowerManagement.plist
I keep the AppleScript that deletes that plist on my machine in case the problem crops up again. First, before you fix it, make sure that every time you use your MacBook Pro in clamshell mode (i.e. running an external display with the screen on your laptop shut) that you follow Apple’s specific instructions on how to get your computer to wake up in that mode properly click here. If you continue to do it wrong, your monitor will keep going wonky.
If your Apple Cinema Display won’t turn on, follow these instructions.
1. Unplug the Apple Cinema Display from your computer
2. Download my “Fix Apple Wonky Display” utility click here
3. Double click the Apple Script, when it prompts you, click “Run”
4. If it asks you for your password, punch it in
5. Once it’s done running, plug in your Apple Cinema Display again
Presto… you’re back in business. If this was helpful to you, please post a comment.
11 Responses to “Apple Cinema Display Broken or Won’t Turn On”
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Jan on January 12th, 2010
Dan, Thank you very much for trying. My setup is almost identical. Have latest updates for Snow Leopard. Only dif is that both kbd and mouse are Bluetooth. Path you describe not on my macbook??? Found file under Library System… not Library Preferences. Deleted as you suggested. Powered down 24″, powered up and connected to sleeping laptop. Opened laptop lid. Display still dark. Did I do something wrong? Thanks for sharing your experience.
Dan on January 12th, 2010
One more thing to try, unplug the apple monitor from the wall outlet, wait a few seconds then plug it in again.
I had the Apple Display for about two weeks trying various things to get it to turn on. I was always able to get it to turn on again, but I decided to return it and get a Samsung. No problems now.
Dan on January 12th, 2010
I just thought of something else that could help you. Make sure you’re looking in the right Library folder. There are at least two on your machine. One is found on the root of the your hard drive. The other is in your User folder. You want the one on the root of your hard drive.
adriancb on January 20th, 2010
Hi Dan
Checked out a fair bit over this problem. Did the latest Sec’ update and here we go again, no monitor! System is Mac pro 2.8ghz 8 core with 23 incher mac screen. Twas a couple of updates ago the monitor stayed black on boot, did come back after 2/3/4 boots – but you wonder, card, screen, power supply and of course your brain cell.
Just done you fix and reboots were fine- no problems.
Many thanks
Adrian CB
Leon_Starr on January 24th, 2010
I have a 2007 macbook pro with an Atlona adapter and the LED display. Not doing the clamshell thing as I like to use both displays simultaneously. Initially, I couldn’t get the LED to wake up at all. Your fix worked first time and I didn’t need it to use it again for several days. I’ve had to reapply it twice now since the last security update (1/22/10). But it still works every time. Thanks for the script!
xloki on January 31st, 2010
Hi,
I have the same pb with ACD 23″, and macbook pro core duo (very old model, before core 2 duo).
unfortunately, your hack doesn’t work with this model
i suspect your solution is linked to one i’ve read, that says to change the setting of
System Preferences > Energy Saver > Graphics > Higher Performance
but this setting doesn’t exist on my macbook pro
if someone has a clue, hhhhelpppp !!!
thanks anyway
AutumnRays on February 11th, 2010
How do i connect my imac computer (the screen won’t come on) to my mac book pro to fix it?
macdummy on March 22nd, 2010
Hi Dan,
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.
One question, is the com.apple.PowerManagement.plist
file important? Now I don’t see one any more.
I did as instructed, except i just deleted it myself instead of using your applet.
Now my display works but the fan on my power mac is running up and then slowing down.
I don’t know if its related to the file.
Thanks again
Power Mac G5 Dual 2.5Ghz, 2.5GB Ram. OS 10.4.11
20″ cinema display
Dan on March 22nd, 2010
That file is used by the PMU to manage various tasks that have to do with Sleep, spinning down the hard drive etc.. The fans are more controlled by the internal temperature of your computer. If it gets too hot inside, it speeds up the fans to cool things down.
siva on April 23rd, 2010
Hi Dan,
I got my new 13” macbook pro and 24” LED Display today. However, my display stays just black whatever I do! I am seriously getting shit pained with this. Is there any power on button on the display which I am not turning it on? The power however gets supplied from the display to the macbook pro when I connect the magsafe connector from the display to the macbook. Am I missing something really stupid. Any help would be of great help!
Thanks
siva on April 23rd, 2010
I tried the tweak you have said in this blog, but it doesn’t work. The other thing is I tried connecting my room mates display to my macbook and it detects it with ease! Let me know what I should do. How do I return this to Apple if this is the case. Any help would be greatly appreciated.