Yoodley is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The Macbook Pro is the flagship line of laptops produced by Apple. Its features include a high-resolution Retina display, Touch ID, multiple connectivity ports, and an interactive touch bar. As with most gadgets, these laptops can also face issues at times.
A common problem on the Macbook Pro is when the screen goes purple (pinkish hue). This article will cover everything you need to know about the Macbook Pro purple screen issue and how to fix it.
What causes the Macbook Pro screen to go purple?
The purple screen issue on Macbook Pro can arise due to various reasons. Let us look at them:
1. Graphics card issues
The graphics card is responsible for sending a feed of graphics to your computer for displaying content via the monitor. If a hardware error is causing the graphics card to operate, you might see the purple screen issue. Alternatively, software setting changes for graphics can also create such a problem.
2. Software issues
Sometimes specific software changes or installations can cause conflicts leading to issues like MacBook’s purple screen. These can be anything from operating system updates, changes in system settings, or software installation that can affect the system’s display.
3. Display connection issue
The Macbook Pro is a compact system with parts optimally packed for the system to work. For display, Apple uses wiring connected to the logic board for receiving and sending signals to show content. If this wiring gets loose or damaged, the display can lose output or start showing a particular color, such as purple.
4. Damaged hardware
Macbooks use various hardware parts for the display to work. If any of these parts are damaged, you can lose output on the display or witness your screen showing a particular color, such as purple. These parts can be anything, from the display itself to the logic board.
How to fix: MacBook Pro Screen Is Purple
Fixing the MacBook Pro purple screen issue will depend on what is causing it. Since the causes are many, so are the fixes. Let us list all the solutions to this problem that you can run down one after another until you fix it.
1. Reset the NVRAM
Non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) is a small memory container for MacBook systems that stores certain settings and app data for users to access quickly. Resetting it is one of the most popular ways to fix the purple screen issue on Macs. Here is how to do it:
- Step 1: Shut down the Mac.
- Step 2; As soon as the Mac starts booting, press and hold the Option, Command, P, and R keys simultaneously for about 20 seconds. If you own an older Mac that plays a sound during bootup, hold these keys until the second sound plays.
- Step 3: Once the boot-up is complete, the NVRAM should reset, fixing the purple screen issue.
If pressing the Option, Command, P, and R keys shows a blank screen on your Mac, you must remove all the connected USB drives and repeat the process.
Note: This method does not work on M1 Macs, as these models reset the NVRAM automatically if required.
2. Disable Automatic Graphics Switching
The Automatic Graphics Switching option on MacBooks lets the system switch between the graphic cards. If turned off, the system always uses the stronger of the two cards. While enabling this option provides efficiency, it can sometimes confuse the system, resulting in display issues. Here is how to disable Automatic Graphics Switching on MacBook Pro:
- Step 1: Click on your Mac’s Apple menu (Apple logo).
- Step 2: Go to System Preferences.
- Step 3: Go to the Energy option.
- Step 4: Uncheck the Automatic Graphics Switching option to disable this setting.
- Step 5: Restart your Mac.
Note: Some versions of Mac do not have an Energy option to disable Automatic Graphics Switching. In this case, you can head over to the Battery settings to disable it.
3. Reset the SMC
The System Management Controller (SMC) is a component on Intel-based Macs that handles various hardware functions, such as display, cooling fans, power supply, etc. You can try resetting the SMC to fix the Macbook purple screen issue. Here is how to do it for the MacBook Pro:
- Step 1: Shut down the Mac.
- Step 2: Press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds. If the issue isn’t fixed, this particular way of resetting the SMC isn’t compatible for your Mac. Shut down the Mac again and proceed to Step 3 instead.
- Step 3: Press and hold the right Shift key, the left Option key, and the left Control key simultaneously for about 7 seconds. Without releasing these keys, now press the Power Button as well for another 7 seconds.
- Step 4: Release all the keys and wait for a few seconds.
- Step 5: Restart your Mac. The purple screen issue should now be fixed.
Note; This method of resetting SMC works on Intel-based Macs from 2018 to 2020. If your Mac does not fit this criteria, look for compatible ways to perform the same for it. If you own an M1 Mac, there is no way to manually reset the SMC as the system automatically handles all SMC-related problems itself.
4. Boot in Safe Mode
Booting in Safe Mode can generally fix the purple screen issue if certain software causes it. To boot your MacBook in Safe Mode, restart it and hold the Shift button until the login screen appears.
When the Mac is in Safe Mode, it will ignore all third-party applications and files, loading only necessary system components. If the purple screen disappears in Safe Mode, you must uninstall certain programs or alter some software settings or updates.
5. Check for hardware issues
If none of the above methods work, a hardware issue is likely causing your MacBook Pro’s screen to go purple. If you are tech savvy, you can check your Mac’s hardware for any loose wiring or damage. If not, suggest getting help from a nearby technician or from Apple themselves. If a hardware issue is detected, you will likely need to replace said part to fix the purple screen issue.
Conclusion
Despite being such well-designed products, the MacBook Pros can sometimes face problems. These problems could be caused by various bottlenecks in the system. Thankfully, most of them can be diagnosed and fixed very easily. One such issue is the purple screen issue on MacBook Pro. You can follow the above article to find out why this arises and all its fixes.
