The Touch Bar on a MacBook Pro is a dynamic, context-sensitive OLED strip that replaces the traditional function keys. While it enhances productivity with its adaptive controls, it can sometimes become unresponsive due to software glitches or hardware issues.
1. Restart Your MacBook Pro
Before diving into complex solutions, start with a simple restart. A restart can resolve temporary software glitches that may be causing the Touch Bar to malfunction. To restart your MacBook Pro:
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
- Select Restart from the dropdown menu.
- Wait for the system to reboot and check if the Touch Bar is functioning.
If the Touch Bar remains unresponsive, proceed to the next steps.
2. Reset the Touch Bar via System Preferences
If a restart doesn’t resolve the issue, resetting the Touch Bar settings may help. This process restores the default configuration, eliminating any customizations that could be causing conflicts.
- Open System Preferences from the Apple menu.
- Navigate to Keyboard and select the Keyboard tab.
- Click Restore Defaults under the Touch Bar settings.
After resetting, test the Touch Bar to see if it responds as expected.
3. Update macOS
Outdated software can lead to compatibility issues, including Touch Bar malfunctions. Ensure your macOS is up to date to avoid such problems.
- Go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences (or System Settings).
- Click Software Update to check for available updates.
- If an update is available, click Update Now and follow the on-screen instructions.
After updating, restart your MacBook Pro and verify if the Touch Bar is working.
4. Run Apple Diagnostics
If software solutions fail, the issue may be hardware-related. Apple Diagnostics is a built-in tool that can identify hardware problems.
- Shut down your MacBook Pro.
- Turn it on and immediately press and hold the D key.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the diagnostics.
If a hardware issue is detected, contact Apple Support for further assistance.
5. Reset the SMC and NVRAM
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) and Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM) can resolve hardware-related issues affecting the Touch Bar.
- To reset the SMC, shut down your MacBook Pro, then press and hold Shift + Control + Option on the left side of the keyboard, along with the power button, for 10 seconds.
- To reset the NVRAM, shut down your MacBook Pro, then turn it on and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds.
After resetting, check if the Touch Bar is functioning correctly.