So my M1 MacBook Pro is fairly new, and earlier today the Touch Bar was working fine. And then when I went to reuse the computer later it didn't turn back on. I have tried to run various commands etc but the bar won't show any icons. I even tried to go into the keyboard settings to customize it but when I try to send icons to the Touch Bar it just freezes and does nothing. Appreciate any help on getting it to display the icons again.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Help-M1 Touch Bar not lighting up
- Thread starter roxygal9
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It sounds like an OS issue. And you might need to do some debugging first. If you boot in safe mode, does the issue still occur?
Also, you have a couple of things (you probably already tried) here: https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/20/mac-how-to-fix-and-restart-the-touch-bar/
If you haven't see if any of that works.
If you have a MacOS installation on a USB drive, you could also try installing MacOS on a different partition, just to see how it behaves on a fresh install. Alternatively, you could go into Guest account on your current installation and see if it still occurs.
To me, it sounds like a bug, ooor...something, a setting or an app that makes this freeze. But probably a bug.
So, as I was saying, this is what I would do. Test a few things to try to see where does the problem come from.
Unfortauntely I don't have an M1 Mac, so...I've never had this issue. Also, never heard of it before. But I know some people complained about issues with the Touch Bar before. So...that part is not new.
)But anyway, hope this helps.
Thank you for your note. I wound up seeing I had OS updates, so I installed them and Touch Bar working again! So issue is resolved. However, now I am having issues with the built in web camera, sigh.It sounds like an OS issue. And you might need to do some debugging first. If you boot in safe mode, does the issue still occur?
Also, you have a couple of things (you probably already tried) here: https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/20/mac-how-to-fix-and-restart-the-touch-bar/
If you haven't see if any of that works.
If you have a MacOS installation on a USB drive, you could also try installing MacOS on a different partition, just to see how it behaves on a fresh install. Alternatively, you could go into Guest account on your current installation and see if it still occurs.
To me, it sounds like a bug, ooor...something, a setting or an app that makes this freeze. But probably a bug.
So, as I was saying, this is what I would do. Test a few things to try to see where does the problem come from.
Unfortauntely I don't have an M1 Mac, so...I've never had this issue. Also, never heard of it before. But I know some people complained about issues with the Touch Bar before. So...that part is not new.
But anyway, hope this helps.
Glad to hear it's fixed!
So it was a bug after all.What is the issue with the web camera? And....is it a new issue?
Seems like it was just a bug. Yes the web camera is a new issue. May not have been working for a bit actually. Maybe about 2 weeks, at first I thought it was Zoom, but its not working on Facetime/Phone Booth apps either. If you have any suggestions, Id appreciate it. I don't have an apple store hereGlad to hear it's fixed!
What is the issue with the web camera? And....is it a new issue?
You don't need an Apple Store.
But I'm curious what's actually wrong with your camera. What happens when you try to use it for let's say FaceTime? You open the FaceTime app, and....? Does the webcam become active (can you see a preview in the FaceTime app)? Does the green LED near the webcam become active? Do you get an error? If so, which error?Things like this are important when you're trying to figure out the cause of an issue, and, especially since there is no Apple Store nearby, fix it yourself.
I'm guessing this is probably another software issue. Oooor...it can be hardware, too. But that's unlikely for newer machines. And also, that depends on whether or not we get an error or something. That's the first step.
Last edited:
I appreciate you trying to help me! So all it says is camera not available. Almost a brand new computer I bought in May. I sold my 16 inch (just didn't need it), and it never gave me trouble though. Hopefully I can get it running soon as I do rely on the camera for Zoom meetings.
Update - I did a SMC reset on it, and the camera is now working. Maybe the new update caused some issues with it. Either way glad to be up and running. Still don't miss my 16 inch! Battery life on this is clutch.
Update - I did a SMC reset on it, and the camera is now working. Maybe the new update caused some issues with it. Either way glad to be up and running. Still don't miss my 16 inch! Battery life on this is clutch.
Last edited:
Yeah, I was about to suggest you to do just that. I've seen this suggested on some of Apple's help materials. Which makes me think you're definitely not the only one with this issue.
)Luckily, at least in your case, it's not hardware, it's a software issue, and...yeah, it could be from one of the previous updates.
Glad you managed to sort it out!
Enjoy your new MacBook!I’m in the same boat however I’ve managed to sort touch bar quiet easy with a command line in terminal however the camera is still broken. I too have a couple of month old M1 pro that was on big sur now on Monterey but still camera blind. How did you reset the SMC please if you don’t mind me asking.