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Purpose of Knowledge Article

A guide on how to fix touch bar that keeps flashing on a Mac laptop

Resolution

The instruction varies based on the hardware your laptop has.

  1. Determine if your Mac laptop is an Intel chip or an Apple silicon chip: (see https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211814 for more information)
    Click the Apple menu icon on the top right corner and select About This Mac. There you will see the model of your laptop and if it has Intel or Apple silicon chip


  2. Determine if your Mac laptop has an Apple T2 Security chip: (see https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208862 for more information)
    Click the Apple menu icon on the top right corner and select About This Mac. There you will see the model of your laptop and check if it appears on the provided list below

    MacBook Pro with Apple T2 Security ChipMacBook Air with Apple T2 Security Chip
    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
    • MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
    • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
    • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
    • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)
    • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
    • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)



  3. Resetting NVRAM and/or SMC. Use the Mac laptop's built-in keyboard as an external keyboard will not work correctly

    Mac laptop with Intel Chip and Apple T2 Security Chip

    		Mac laptop with Intel Chip without Apple T2 Security Chip

    Mac with Apple silicon chip (M1 and M2)

    Try the following steps:

    Reset NVARAM

    1. Save your work, exit all programs, and shut down the laptop
    2. Turn on the laptop, then immediately press these four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R
    3. Hold it down for 20 seconds and your laptop may restart a few times and you may hear the startup sound as well
    4. Let go after 20 seconds
    5. The laptop should be booting up

    If the issue continues, try resetting the SMC

    1. Shut down the laptop
    2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds then release it
      (If your laptop has a Touch ID button, that is your power button)
    3. Wait another 10 seconds, then power on the laptop
    4. If the issue continues, shut down the laptop again
    5. Hold down these four buttons: Control and Option on the left side of the keyboard, Shift on the right side of the keyboard, and the power button
    6. Hold the buttons down for 7 seconds then release it
    7. Wait another 10 seconds then power on your laptop

    Try the following steps:

    Reset NVARAM

    1. Save your work, exit all programs, and shut down the laptop
    2. Turn on the laptop, then immediately press these four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R
    3. Hold it down for 20 seconds and your laptop may restart a few times and you may hear the startup sound as well
    4. Let go after 20 seconds
    5. The laptop should be booting up

    If the issue continues, try resetting the SMC

    1. Hold down these four buttons: Control, Option, and Shift on the left side of the keyboard, and the power button
    2. Hold the buttons down for 10 seconds then release it
    3. Wait another 10 seconds then power on your laptop


    Reset SMC

    1. Make sure your Mac laptop power source is connected
    2. Restart the computer or shut it down and turn it on again



  4. If the issue continues, it is most likely a hardware issue. Email [email protected] with the following information:
    1. DOE number of the computer
    2. Project-Activity ID
    3. Computer model
    4. Phone number

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