User profile for user: willypdx
willypdx Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

MacBook Pro screen randomly goes black

I just recently bought a Macbook Pro 16” M3 Pro from a trusted eBay vendor who offers 1 month returns. However, when I upgraded to Tahoe (I did not spend much time on Sequoia), my screen began to randomly switch to the lowest brightness and then turn black, but the Caps Lock LED is active. This requires a restart and then it’ll happen again anywhere between seconds to hours. I have reinstalled MacOS, gone to Apple Store, and the problem persists. I also connected an external monitor and BOTH screens go black. Therefore, I do not know if it is a software issue or a hardware issue and need to figure out if I should return my MacBook soon. I suspect Tahoe, but cannot diagnose it.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.0

Posted on Oct 28, 2025 11:50 AM

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User profile for user: steve626
steve626
User level: Level 6
13,695 points

Posted on Oct 28, 2025 12:36 PM

Did you do this when you received the Mac:


What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support


(This results in a complete reset and clean install on the Mac)


If you did not do such a reset, then you may have inherited a problem in the previous owner's setup.


If you did do such a reset, I would immediately return the Mac to the seller. Normal Macs don't do this on Tahoe, Sequoia, etc. You can go to an Apple Store and see dozens of Macs on Tahoe and they don't lose their screen brightness and require a restart like yours does. Yours seems to have an intermittent problem that I consider a showstopper and completely unacceptable. My work Mac is the same model as yours and it has never done that.


There are many posts in Apple Discussions reporting all kinds of problems with Macs purchased on eBay. Usually used late model computers sold in places like eBay are being sold because they have a problem. Why else would they be sold on eBay? I suggest buying used Macs only from Apple or from OWC -- both offer a warranty so they stand behind their products.

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User profile for user: steve626
steve626
User level: Level 6
13,695 points

Oct 28, 2025 12:36 PM in response to willypdx

Did you do this when you received the Mac:


What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support


(This results in a complete reset and clean install on the Mac)


If you did not do such a reset, then you may have inherited a problem in the previous owner's setup.


If you did do such a reset, I would immediately return the Mac to the seller. Normal Macs don't do this on Tahoe, Sequoia, etc. You can go to an Apple Store and see dozens of Macs on Tahoe and they don't lose their screen brightness and require a restart like yours does. Yours seems to have an intermittent problem that I consider a showstopper and completely unacceptable. My work Mac is the same model as yours and it has never done that.


There are many posts in Apple Discussions reporting all kinds of problems with Macs purchased on eBay. Usually used late model computers sold in places like eBay are being sold because they have a problem. Why else would they be sold on eBay? I suggest buying used Macs only from Apple or from OWC -- both offer a warranty so they stand behind their products.

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MacBook Pro screen randomly goes black

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