MacBook M4 Setup Assistant Black Screen Workaround
This method has a 70%-30% chance of working. Some MacBooks are able to close the Setup Assistant after attempting the fix while others will still boot to Black Screen.
If the fix is implemented and boots to the log-in screen, it means that the fix was a success. If it boots to the same Black Screen, it means that the fix has failed and user will require a new MacBook.
ISSUE OBSERVED:
The user encounters a Black Screen with a cursor instead of the login screen and is able to hear the keyboard sound (invalid click sound effect)
SUGGESTED FIX:
- Perform a Hard Shutdown by holding the MacBook's Power Button for 10 seconds.
- Turn on the MacBook and keep tapping the command + Q button until you see the Quit Menu pop-up
- Select Cancel on the Quit Menu pop-up (There may be multiple pop-ups so select cancel on all of them.)
- Press command + option + control + T to open Terminal
- Click the Apple Icon on the top left corner and go to System Settings
- Go to Control Center and scroll down to Fast User Switching
- Under Show in Menu Bar, select Account Name and turn on the toggle for Show in Control Center (The Fast User Switching icon should be visible on the top right corner of the screen now, next to battery.)
- Click the Fast User Switching and select Login Window...
- Hover over the user's account and select Other...
- Login using vcsuitadmin
- Continue with the initial setup for vcsuitadmin until you reach the desktop.
- Close all opened applications, then completely LOG OUT of vcsuitadmin
- Once you are back in the Login Screen, look to the top right corner for the power icon.
- Click the Power Icon and select Restart....
- Wait for the MacBook to boot back up. If you see a Login Screen, the fix has been successful.
- If the MacBook boots back to a black screen, you will need to issue the user a new MacBook as there is no other way to fix the issue.
- You can follow steps 1 to 8 to have the user login and backup their data.