A Touch Bar is the neat mini display on top of the keyboard in MacBook Pro 2017 and other modern models. While the Touch Bar is not used as commonly as the touchpad, it still adds to the functionality and appearance of the MacBook.
Since MacBook Pro 2017’s Touch Bar works in combination with various apps, many software-related issues can cause it not to work. Many users report their Touch Bar being laggy or simply not working.
As long as a hardware issue does not cause the problem, you should be able to fix the problem yourself. So if you are trying to fix your MacBook Pro 2017’s Touch Bar, keep reading. Because this article will list some easy fixes to help resolve your issue.
What Causes MacBook Pro 2017 Touch Bar To Stop Working?
Many nonhardware issues can cause your Touch Bar to stop working. So the best way to troubleshoot the problem is by addressing each issue individually until you find one that fixes the problem.
Some common software issues affecting the Touch Bar’s functioning include a newly installed app, outdated OS, low resource availability, and improper settings. Since each component in your MacBook Pro is connected to various software and the main OS addressing these software issues can often make the Touch Bar work again.
Besides the above-mentioned software-related issues, your MacBook’s Touch Bar can also stop working due to high device temperatures.
How To Fix The Problem?
Now that you know the causes, you can better solve the problem. Without further ado, here are some fixes you can try:
Force Quit The Applications:
If the Touch Bar is not working due to a malfunctioning application, force quitting the app can resolve the problem. To force quit apps on your MacBook Pro 2017, simply follow these steps:
- Click the Apple logo on the menu bar, locate the Force Quit option and open it up.
- You will find a list of currently running apps; by quitting them one by one, you may notice that the Touch Bar starts working again.
Adjust The Touch Bar Settings
You can control the shortcuts and buttons on the Touch Bar by configuring it. It might not work correctly if you have the wrong configuration. You can adjust the settings using these simple steps:
- Go to System Preferences and select Keyboards to find the Touch Bar Shows section.
- Click on the drop-down menu next to Touch Bar Shows and choose your preferred shortcut to display.
- Check the “Show Control Strip box” next to the “Touch Bar Shows” section, and the shortcut should appear on the Touch Bar.
Refresh the Touch Bar on your MacBook Pro 2017
Often refreshing the Touch Bar gets it to start working again. You can refresh it using these easy steps:
- Open the activity monitor from utilities section by pressing Command + Shift + U simultaneously.
- Type “Control Strip” in the search section and select it.
- Now click on the X button to force quit the Touch Bar.
Check for OS updates
Sometimes an outdated macOS can cause the Touch Bar to stop working correctly. To check if you have any available updates for your MacBook, you can go to “System Preferences” and select the Software Update section.
If you have any available updates, you will get an option to update your OS, which should fix your problem.
Restart your MacBook Pro
If you have tried all the fixes mentioned above, you can try restarting the MacBook Pro. You can do that by clicking the Apple icon on the menu bar and selecting Restart.
Wait for your MacBook to start and check if the Touch Bar starts working or not. Restarting your MacBook is also recommended after applying any of the fixes mentioned above.
Hardware related problems
If the fixes mentioned above fail to fix your Touch Bar, the issue will likely stem from faulty hardware. If you want to get any hardware of your MacBook Pro repaired, you should visit an authorized Apple Service Provider. The trusted service providers can replace the components with company-provided parts to ensure authenticity.
Conclusion
If your Touch Bar is not working due to a software malfunction, the fixes provided above should help you fix them. However, if it is flickering or flashing, it is likely a hardware issue, and professional help is required to fix it.
