The Touch Bar, a tiny OLED display, is located above the keyboard on newer MacBook Pro models. Our comprehensive tutorial covers all you need to know about the MacBook Pro TouchBar not working. And how to personalize it to suit your preferences.
Transitory software problems are usually at blame when a MacBook’s Touch Bar fails to show controls. And quick-access shortcuts or won’t respond to touches. Fortunately, it will only take a few minutes to remedy these problems. This time, we’ll show you what to do if the Touch Bar breaks or stops functioning.
How to Fix MacBook Pro TouchBar Not Working?
Older macOS versions can occasionally interfere with a device’s ability to operate normally. Additionally, some applications and procedures might function differently from the earlier versions. Ensure your MacBook is running the most recent version of macOS before attempting fixes for the Touch Bar.
1. Force-quit problematic apps
Your use of the Touch Bar depends on the active app. As you switch between various programs, the buttons and controls adjust accordingly.
Your MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar may occasionally stop functioning due to an app like Apple Silicon Macs. The usual operation of the Touch Bar may be hampered by a few small flaws or crashed hidden processes. It would help if you uninstalled the problematic apps to resolve the problems.
2. Update macOS

As we’ve explained, you must ensure your system runs the most recent macOS version. You need to do it immediately if this is the first time you have done it. You must check and confirm that your MacBook Pro is running the most recent macOS version. If your MacBook Pro won’t switch on or your Mac Touch Bar won’t appear.
Using an outdated software version on your computer. It’s conceivable that software flaws or defects cause your MacBook Pro’s performance problems. It might interfere with its usual operations and produce unforeseen faults. Thankfully, Apple frequently makes software upgrades. It includes bug fixes, better application support, and interior features like Mac Touch Bar.
3. Restart your MacBook
Restarting a device, including your MacBook Pro, might help you resolve several small problems. Your MacBook Pro may be experiencing a few small problems, resulting in the Touch Bar on your computer not lighting up. Fortunately, restarting your Mac can also assist you in resolving similar problems. Therefore, be sure to give it a shot.
Your MacBook Pro’s screen may occasionally become frozen. To do a force restart, press and hold the Command button while pushing the power button. If you forcibly restart your MacBook, all unsaved changes to open documents can be lost. Therefore, remember to save your data first.
4. Start Touch Bar again

Refreshing the Touch Bar process is one of the best ways to solve Touch Bar not functioning issues on your MacBook Pro with Intel or M1 power. It will release the memory and other resources that the Touch Bar utilizes.
Your MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar may be refreshed in two ways: Activity Monitor or Terminal. After the refresh procedure, your MacBook will assign additional resources to the Touch Bar. You could try refreshing the Touch Bar on your Mac if the backlight is not functioning, your Touch Bar frequently freezes, or your Touch Bar is not visible.
5. Updating the control strip

If the Touch Bar displays a blank area in place of the buttons or stops reacting to the shortcuts. You can refresh the control strip to resolve such difficulties. The Touch Bar’s rightmost section is known as the Control Strip. There are buttons for Ask Siri and for changing the brightness and volume, among other things.
Therefore, you need to update the control strip if the Touch Bar volume on your MacBook Pro isn’t working or you can’t access Touch Bar brightness. Additionally, it’s among the greatest methods for defrosting the Touch Bar on a MacBook Pro.
6. Wipe Clean the Touch Bar Cache Files
Your computer creates and stores cache files, which are temporary files, to speed up operations. Occasionally, the cache may get full or corrupt, affecting your MacBook’s speed. And cache files is an excellent idea if your MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar isn’t functioning properly. Resetting the Touch bar’s app settings.
7. Unpredictable touch bar freezing on MacBook Pro
It might be annoying when your MacBook Pro freezes frequently and prevents you from using your preferred shortcuts. If this is the situation, you must force the TouchBarServer process to terminate. To solve a frozen Touch Bar on your Intel and M1-based MacBook Pro. It will destroy the present TouchBarServer process that is acting improperly and start a new instance.
8. While charging, the Touch Bar is inoperative
Electrical oscillations may cause the Touch Bar not to function, show a blank screen, or not respond to touch when charging your MacBook. It is the least common and most easily disregarded cause of Touch Bar issues on Mac. If this applies to you, you must wait until you have a reliable power supply.
Additionally, a defective or broken power source can not provide enough power to your MacBook, possibly resulting in numerous problems like this. In such cases, you must unplug your MacBook from the power source it is using right now. Also, try a trustworthy power source to see if the problem has been resolved.
9. Mail Apple
When everything else fails to resolve Touch Bar issues on your MacBook Pro models with Intel or M1 processors, it’s time to seek expert assistance. Sometimes, a serious issue arises that can’t be repaired at your end and shouldn’t be.
If your MacBook Pro has hardware or water damage, you can experience issues with the Touch Bar. Diagnosing your Mac at the Apple shop in such circumstances is advised. Please avoid using low-cost substitutes since they can damage your MacBook beyond repair.
Conclusion
This marks the conclusion of our tutorial on how to resolve Touch Bar not working issues on MacBook Pro. Touch Bar may become sluggish, fail to display the shortcut buttons, or freeze too frequently. We hope these efficient solutions have helped you resolve those problematic issues. It’s your Mac Touch Bar that operates without a hitch.
Also read: iPhone Can Be Diagnosed and Repaired with These Handy Tools