MacBook Pro, broken screen, external monitor, BT keyboard/mouse and getting stuck in recovery mode

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Level 1

5 points

MacBook Pro, broken screen, external monitor, BT keyboard/mouse and getting stuck in recovery mode

Hi all, I think I posted something along these lines before but list the answers and can’t seem to find them - I will be bookmarking this one so I don’t need to bother anyone else.

Working with a 2017 MacBook Pro, which I accidentally broke the screen on when it got closed on a pen. Replacing the screen was too expensive so I purchased a monitor and BT keyboard and mouse.

Lately I’ve encountered a handful of problems and scrounged up various fixes over time, but it usually takes me a couple of hours of trial and error and seeing as how these keep happening I may as well be prepared.

Recovery Mode - this happened before and again, I can’t recall the fix I’ve used. I turned my computer off (foolishly) to give it some time to rest while out of town. Came home, went to turn it back on and it’s entering recovery mode, and after I’m blindly able to select English as the language, it gives me a screen to reset my password. I can’t select anything, because the Bluetooth won’t attach in this point, and if I have the laptop open to use the mouse/keyboard, the monitor goes to an extended screen, not mirror, so all I can access is the top left menu, and shut down/restart work… but put me in the same place. There’s something there where I can select my startup HD, but then when it restarts I don’t have access to the monitor. I have restarted the NVRAM w option+command+p+r restarts.
Loss of clamshell - so, I know that when the laptop is closed (and I have a vertical holder for it so it has chance to breath) and plugged in (USB-C to HDMI) it should pop up on the monitor, but it doesn’t always and often the monitor says it’s stuck in standby mode. Lately I’ve found if I unplug it, turn the monitor off, restart the computer and then plug the monitor in after the computer restarts, it’ll then pick up the HDMI input. Is there any easier way to manage this?
Loss of Bluetooth - obviously as this restarted, I don’t have access to Bluetooth because it’s not coming up in the recovery mode, and I can’t remember how I got these things attached once I’m in the regular startup without having access to a screen+keyboard/mouse.

Thanks for any help!

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.7

Posted on Nov 12, 2024 3:36 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 12, 2024 3:48 PM in response to SLVRBRDR25

Here is the thread from February: MacBook bro with a broken screen, stuck i… - Apple Community

If Bluetooth is also malfunctioning, then try using a wired mouse and wired keyboard. You may beed dongles.

I’d suggest scrounging a used Mac in better condition. Probably scrounge a Mac mini, which will also usually be cheaper than a used MacBook Pro, and the mini will likely work with the monitor you already have.

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Answer 2

SLVRBRDR25 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 18, 2024 1:34 PM in response to MrHoffman

Thanks Hoff! Try as I might, I couldn’t find that, but both of them are bookmarked now.

The NVRAM do doesn’t seem to fix things right now unfortunately.

It did previously, but not the last 10x I’ve tried it since the current problem it won’t reload on any other screen. Additionally, it seem to recall the blue tooth stuff working before the problem and last time we used everything hooked up once the program was running

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Answer 3

Nov 18, 2024 1:55 PM in response to SLVRBRDR25

SLVRBRDR25 wrote:

Thanks Hoff! Try as I might, I couldn’t find that, but both of them are bookmarked now.

For reference, use the following DDG or Google search to find stuff:

site:discussions.apple.com SLVRBRDR25

The NVRAM do doesn’t seem to fix things right now unfortunately.

Wired keyboard and rodent can be useful when things get wonky.

It did previously, but not the last 10x I’ve tried it since the current problem it won’t reload on any other screen. Additionally, it seem to recall the blue tooth stuff working before the problem and last time we used everything hooked up once the program was running

Alas, have yet to meet a physically-damaged Mac that has spontaneously improved itself.

Have current backups too, because entropy inevitably wins. Or wins sooner, with damaged gear.

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Answer 4

HWTech

Level 9

60,452 points

Nov 19, 2024 9:23 AM in response to SLVRBRDR25

You can press Command + F1 or Command + Brightness Down to toggle display mirroring on & off. This may not work at the login screen (it can vary).

If there is a language selection screen, then most times pressing "Return" will be enough to take the default option which is typically English (at least in the US).

Sometimes those odd startup screens or even a system pop-up after logging into macOS will only show up on the built-in Display even when mirroring is enabled (usually with the 2018+ models...both Intel & M-series....worse with M-series).

The best option for an Intel Mac would be to use a wired external USB keyboard & mouse so you can enable ClamShell mode. This is the most reliable method.

As for the password reset screen, usually if you click "Exit" it will reboot & let you log in normally. A simple reboot should do the same thing....if not, then perform a PRAM Reset (hold for at least two chimes if possible...the USB-C Macs won't always let you hold it for more than one chime). The password reset screen is Apple's way of trying to be helpful assuming the person has forgotten their password if they were not able to log into macOS that last time the system booted (that screen is not really well done to give users a clear idea of the issue or why it is asking to reset the password).

It can sometimes take multiple tries before you can get the desired video onto the external screen of these USB-C Macs.

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