MacBook Pro Touch Bar Not Working? 11 Fixes to Try
The Touch Bar is one of the standout features of certain MacBook Pro models released since 2016. This multi-touch enabled strip replaces the function keys and provides contextual controls and shortcuts for your current task, app or content. It‘s a very handy productivity tool – when it works properly.
Unfortunately, many MacBook Pro users have encountered issues with the Touch Bar becoming unresponsive, freezing up, or not displaying the expected options. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you rely on the Touch Bar controls for your workflow.
Before you assume the worst and start shopping for a replacement MacBook, take a deep breath. In the vast majority of cases, a malfunctioning Touch Bar can be fixed with some simple software troubleshooting. Hardware-related failures are relatively rare.
In this article, we‘ll go through the most common causes of Touch Bar issues and provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide to getting your Touch Bar back up and running again. Let‘s get started!
Why is my MacBook Pro Touch Bar not working?
There are a few potential culprits behind most Touch Bar issues:
1. Software glitches or bugs
Like any complex software interface, the Touch Bar relies on multiple processes, frameworks and apps all working together harmoniously. Any conflicts, crashes or corruption can cause the Touch Bar to behave erratically or become unresponsive.
2. Outdated macOS version
Apple regularly releases updates to macOS that include bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements. Running an older version of macOS means you may be missing out on important updates related to Touch Bar functionality and compatibility.
3. Runaway processes or apps
Certain apps make heavy use of the Touch Bar and its controls. If one of these apps freezes, crashes or has a memory leak, it can affect the entire Touch Bar. Unresponsive apps can also slow down your Mac to a crawl, leaving no resources for Touch Bar functions.
4. Interference from external devices
Occasionally, issues with the Touch Bar can be caused by external devices connected to the MacBook Pro, such as a USB-C hub, external GPU, or third-party display. Such devices may conflict with the Touch Bar firmware and cause problems.
5. Hardware failure or damage
While relatively uncommon compared to software-related issues, a damaged or malfunctioning Touch Bar can occur due to a manufacturer defect, liquid contact, or physical trauma to the MacBook Pro case. Problems with the logic board or Touch Bar connection cables may manifest as an unresponsive or glitchy Touch Bar.
The good news is, the first four causes in that list are generally fixable with the troubleshooting steps we‘ll outline below. If you suspect the Touch Bar hardware itself is damaged, you‘ll want to contact Apple Support or visit your local Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider for a diagnosis.
How to fix MacBook Pro Touch Bar not working
Let‘s go through some fixes in order, from easiest to most advanced. After each step, check to see if your Touch Bar is working again before proceeding to the next one.
1. Restart your MacBook Pro
Often a top tip for any misbehaving device, restarting your Mac forces all apps and processes to shut down and start over with a clean slate. A simple restart can clear out corrupted temp files or memory leaks affecting the Touch Bar.
Click the Apple icon in the menu bar and select Restart. If the Touch Bar is totally unresponsive, force a restart by holding the Touch ID button until the screen goes dark and the Apple logo appears.
2. Check Touch Bar settings
Occasionally software updates can reset your preferences or a rogue app may have changed a key setting on its own. This is unlikely to leave the Touch Bar totally unresponsive, but it‘s worth double-checking your Touch Bar settings are correct.
Click the Apple icon > System Settings > Keyboard. Click the Touch Bar menu and ensure "Show Control Strip" is selected. Also check the "Touch Bar shows" menu is set to App Controls to restore the default Touch Bar behavior.
3. Update to the latest version of macOS
If you‘re not running the latest macOS version, you may be overdue for some important Touch Bar related bug fixes and optimizations. Keeping current on macOS updates is one of the easiest ways to address software glitches and prevent new issues from developing.
Click the Apple icon > System Settings > General > Software Update. If any updates are listed, click Update Now and follow the prompts to download and install. Your MacBook Pro will automatically restart once the update process is complete.
4. Close unneeded apps and processes
If an app is frozen or hogging system resources, it can cause the Touch Bar to become sluggish and unresponsive. Force quit any apps you‘re not actively using, especially ones that integrate deeply with the Touch Bar.
To force quit an app, press Command-Option-Escape to open the Force Quit dialog, select the app in the list, and click Force Quit. You can also use the Activity Monitor utility to close unresponsive background processes.
Open Spotlight Search, type "Activity Monitor", double-click the result to launch the utility. Select a process, then click the X button to quit it.
5. Reset the TouchBarServer process
The macOS process that controls the Touch Bar is called TouchBarServer. If it has crashed or become unresponsive, resetting this process can restore Touch Bar functionality.
Open Activity Monitor, type "TouchBarServer" in the search field, select the TouchBarServer process and click the X button to force quit it. The process should automatically restart.
Alternatively, you can quit TouchBarServer via Terminal. Open Terminal and enter the following command:
sudo pkill TouchBarServer
Enter your admin password if prompted, then press Return. The process will quit and restart.
6. Reset the ControlStrip process
The Control Strip is the section of the Touch Bar on the far right that shows persistent buttons like brightness, volume, Siri etc. Its functions are controlled by a process called ControlStrip, separate from the main Touch Bar process.
Follow the same steps as above to reset the ControlStrip process using Activity Monitor or Terminal, except search for "ControlStrip" instead of "TouchBarServer". Use this Terminal command to reset ControlStrip:
sudo pkill ControlStrip
7. Reset the NVRAM/PRAM (Intel Macs only)
If you have a MacBook Pro with an Intel processor (any model released before the Apple M1 chip debuted in late 2020), resetting your Mac‘s NVRAM and PRAM can help if Touch Bar issues are being caused by corrupt settings data.
Shut down your Mac and wait 10 seconds. Hold down the Command-Option-P-R keys while powering it back on. Keep holding until the Mac restarts a second time and you hear the startup chime. Release the keys and the NVRAM reset is complete.
8. Reset the SMC (Intel Macs only)
The System Management Controller on Intel-based Macs manages many low-level functions including the Touch Bar. Resetting the SMC returns it to default settings and can resolve both power and hardware-related issues.
Shut down your Mac and connect the power adapter. On the built-in keyboard, hold down the Shift-Control-Option keys on the left side and the Power button, all at the same time. Hold for 10 seconds, then release all keys and turn on your Mac as usual.
9. Boot into Recovery Mode and clear Touch Bar cache
If the Touch Bar cache has become corrupted, clearing it out may restore normal functionality. To do this, you‘ll need to start your Mac in Recovery mode:
- Shut down your Mac and wait 10 seconds
- Hold down the power button until "Loading startup options" appears
- Select Options and click Continue to enter Recovery
- In the menu bar, click Utilities > Terminal
- In Terminal, type in: xartutil –erase-all
- Press Return, type yes when prompted to confirm
- Restart your Mac
Note this will reset Touch Bar settings to defaults, so you may need to customize app controls again. But it can be effective if corruption is the culprit for a misbehaving Touch Bar.
10. Run Apple Diagnostics
As a final step, running diagnostics can help identify any hardware issues with your MacBook Pro‘s Touch Bar. If a hardware problem is detected, you‘ll want to contact Apple Support for assistance with repair or replacement options.
To run diagnostics on an Intel Mac:
- Disconnect all external devices and shut down your Mac
- Hold the D key while powering back on
- Release when the diagnostics screen appears
- Select your language and follow the prompts
On a Mac with Apple silicon:
- Shut down your Mac and disconnect all external devices
- Hold the power button to turn on until "Loading startup options" appears
- Select Options > Continue to enter Recovery mode
- Click the Apple icon in the menu bar and select "Get Help"
- Click "Diagnostics mode" then "Restart"
- Select your language at the prompt and follow the prompts
What if my Touch Bar still doesn‘t work?
If you‘ve tried all the troubleshooting steps above and your Touch Bar remains unresponsive, it‘s time to contact Apple Support or visit your nearest Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider. They can run further diagnostics and determine if a hardware repair or replacement is needed.
If your MacBook Pro is under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, a Touch Bar repair or replacement should be free of charge. If not, expect to pay anywhere from $300-600 depending on the exact model.
In some cases, Apple may cover a Touch Bar repair even if your Mac is outside the warranty period. It‘s always worth checking with them first before resorting to a third-party repair service.
The Bottom Line
A malfunctioning Touch Bar is a hassle, but in most cases you can resolve it yourself with some simple troubleshooting. Always start with a restart and make sure you‘re on the latest macOS version. Reset the Touch Bar processes and clear the cache data if needed. And don‘t forget the power of Apple Diagnostics to detect potential hardware failures.
If all else fails, getting professional support from Apple is your best bet for determining if you‘re dealing with a hardware defect that requires a repair or replacement.
The Touch Bar is a highlight of modern MacBook Pro design when it works as intended. Hopefully this guide has helped you get yours back to tip-top shape. If you have any other questions or tips to share, sound off in the comments below!