How To Fix MacBook Pro Touch Bar Not Working [7 Ways]

Table Of Contents:

Introduction

Why is the Touchbar Not Working on MacBook Pro?

How to Fix MacBook Pro Touchbar Not Working Issue?

Solution 1: Force Quit Troublesome Apps

Solution 2: Refresh the Touchbar Control Strip

Solution 3: Clear the Touchbar Cache Files

Solution 4: Reset SMC 

Solution 5: Check the Touchbar Settings 

Solution 6: Refresh Touchbar

Solution 7: Update macOS

Conclusion

Introduction

MacBook Pro Touch Bar not working? Well, yes, this surely sounds disappointing. Fret no more, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we have listed a variety of workarounds that you can use to fix the touch bar within no time.

As we are all aware, the MacBook Pro Touch Bar is a touch-sensitive strip located above the keyboard on certain models of MacBook Pro.

It replaces the traditional function keys with a dynamic display that changes depending on what you are doing on your computer.

It can provide quick access to common functions, such as volume and brightness controls, and can also display app-specific tools and options.

So, yes, if the touch bar stops working or becomes non-functional, it may hamper your productivity.

Why is the Touchbar Not Working on MacBook Pro?

There can be several reasons why the MacBook Pro Touch Bar is not working. Here are some possible causes:

• The Touchbar is disabled.
• Using an outdated version of macOS.
• Running resource-heavy applications.
• Low memory or disk space.
• Software glitches.
• Hardware Issues.

How to Fix MacBook Pro Touchbar Not Working Issue?

Try the below-listed solutions to get the MacBook Pro Touchbar up and running again within no time.

Solution 1: Force Quit Troublesome Apps

Force quitting on a Mac is a way to stop an application or process that is unresponsive or frozen. It allows you to terminate an application that is not responding and gives you a fresh start.

If a troublesome app has messed with the touch bar’s functioning, you can try force quitting the app to resolve the issue.

You can force quit an application on a MacBook Pro in several ways. Here are some methods:

Method 1: Using the Apple Menu

• Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
• Select “Force Quit“.
• Select the application you want to quit from the list.
• Click “Force Quit“.

Method 2: Using the Keyboard Shortcut

1. Press and hold the Command + Option + Esc keys on your keyboard.
2. Select the application you want to quit from the list.
3. Click “Force Quit”.

Solution 2: Refresh the Touchbar Control Strip

You can refresh the Touch Bar control strip on a Mac using Terminal by following these steps:

• Open the Terminal application on your Mac. You can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder or use Spotlight search to find it.
• Type the following command in Terminal and press Enter:

Killall ControlStrip

This command will kill the Touch Bar agent process, which is responsible for the Touch Bar control strip.

• Once the Touch Bar agent process is terminated, it will automatically restart, and the Touch Bar control strip will refresh.

Refreshing the touch bar is a quick way to fix the “MacBook pro touch bar not working” within no time.

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Solution 3: Clear the Touchbar Cache Files

Clearing the Touch Bar cache files may resolve issues with the Touch Bar, such as unresponsive controls or frozen displays.

However, it’s important to note that clearing cache files can also result in the loss of data and temporary settings.

So, make sure to proceed with caution and take a backup of important data before attempting to clear the cache files.

You can clear the Touch Bar cache files on a MacBook Pro by following these steps:

• Open Finder and press Command + Shift + G to bring up the “Go to Folder” dialog box.

• Type the following path into the box and press Enter:
  ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.touchbar.agent/
• Select all the files and folders within this folder and move them to the Trash. Alternatively, you can press Command + A to select all and then press the Delete key.
• Empty the Trash to permanently delete the Touch Bar cache files.
• Restart your MacBook Pro to ensure that the changes take effect.

After clearing the cache, you will hopefully be able to resolve the “MacBook Pro Touch Bar not working” issue on your device.

Also Read: How To Fix Macbook Pro Pink Screen Of Death [2023]

Solution 4: Reset SMC 

SMC stands for System Management Controller. It is a chip on the motherboard of Mac computers that controls various hardware functions, such as power management, thermal management, battery charging, and fan control.

By resetting the SMC, you can troubleshoot various hardware-related issues, such as a MacBook Pro that is not turning on or charging properly, touch bar-related issues, and so on.

Here are the steps to reset the SMC for some common MacBook Pro models:

MacBook Pro with a non-removable battery:

• Shut down your MacBook Pro.
• Connect your MacBook Pro to a power source.
• Press and hold the Shift + Control + Option keys along with the Power button for 10 seconds.

• Release all the keys and then press the Power button to turn on your MacBook Pro.

MacBook Pro with a removable battery:

• Shut down your MacBook Pro.
• Remove the battery from your MacBook Pro.
• Press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds.
• Reinsert the battery.
• Press the Power button to turn on your MacBook Pro.

MacBook Pro with Apple silicon:

• Shut down your MacBook Pro.
• Press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds.
• Release the Power button.
• Wait a few seconds and then press the Power button again to turn on your MacBook Pro.

Solution 5: Check the Touchbar Settings 

Is Touchbar not working on MacBook Pro even after trying the above-listed hacks?

Assuming that we have eliminated the possibility of software bugs or problematic applications causing the issue, and your touch bar still isn’t working, it is possible that the problem could be more specific.

To troubleshoot this, it may be necessary to examine your system settings to ensure that they are properly configured.

To do this, navigate to System Preferences and select Keyboard. Next, check that the Touch Bar shows dropdown list has the App Controls option selected, and ensure that the Show Control Strip feature is enabled.

Read Also: What Is Spindump On MacOS And How To Use It

Solution 6: Refresh Touchbar

If you want to give your MacBook’s touch bar a quick refresh, you can do so by following these simple steps via the Terminal. This solution might be sufficient to resolve the issue and get your Mac back to its normal functionality.

Firstly, open the Terminal, which can be found in the Applications > Utilities folder, or by using Spotlight Search. Once open, type in the following command: “sudo pkill TouchBarServer“.

Solution 7: Update macOS

To update macOS on your Mac, follow these steps:

• First, connect your Mac to a power source.
• Ensure that your Mac is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
• Click on the Apple menu located in the top left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences.”
• Click on “Software Update.”

• macOS will check for updates and display any available updates.
• Click “Update Now” to download and install the latest update.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
• Once the installation is complete, your Mac will restart.

The macOS update process may take several minutes or longer, depending on the size of the update and your internet speed.

It’s important to keep your Mac up to date to ensure that it is running smoothly and to take advantage of the latest features and security updates.

After updating the macOS, check the Touchbar to see if it’s functional again.

Conclusion

This wraps up our step-by-step guide on how to fix the “MacBook pro touch bar not working” issue.

The MacBook Pro Touch Bar is a useful tool that can enhance your productivity, but it can be frustrating when it’s not working properly.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue and get your Touch Bar back to its normal functionality.

From checking for software updates and problematic applications to resetting the SMC and clearing the Touch Bar cache, these solutions can help you fix the MacBook Pro Touch Bar not working issue.

If you have tried all of these solutions and the problem persists, it may be time to contact Apple support for further assistance.

By following these tips, you can keep your MacBook Pro Touch Bar working smoothly and efficiently, ensuring that you can focus on your work without any distractions.

Good luck!