Apple Studio Display stuck on Black Screen – How To Fix (Fixed by Updating with Older MacBook – Hope This Helps)

I wanted to share my experience in case it helps others.

I’m using a 2021 MacBook Pro running macOS 15.5 with an Apple Studio Display (nano-texture). For the past few weeks, every time I plugged in the display, it would stay black. The only workaround that sometimes worked was unplugging both the USB-C and power cables for about 5 minutes, then reconnecting them (USB-C first, then power — not sure if order matters). After about a minute, the 3 dots would appear, and the display would eventually work again.

However, this fix was only temporary: the issue returned every single day.

When I checked the firmware version (Option-click Apple logo > System Information > Graphics/Displays > Studio Display), it showed version 16.4, so it hadn’t updated to the newer firmware version 17.0.

Here’s what finally worked for me:

1. I got hold of an older MacBook Air (2018) and updated it to macOS 14.7.6 (which I believe is the latest version supported by that model).
2. I kept the Studio Display unplugged during the update to ensure it was fully powered down.
3. After updating, I connected the Studio Display to the MacBook Air.
4. It triggered the same reboot behavior (3 dots), and then under System Settings > Software Update, a Studio Display Firmware Update 17.0 (~700MB) appeared.
5. I installed the update – it took about 20 minutes with both the display and Mac in install mode – and afterward, the Studio Display was finally running firmware version 17.0.

So it seems that the firmware update was only recognized when I used an older Mac and/or older macOS version. With my newer MacBook Pro on 15.5, the update never showed up at all.

Honestly, I’m quite frustrated. A display this expensive shouldn’t have such persistent issues, especially ones that many users are reporting, and require workarounds like this just to update firmware.

(Attached is a screenshot in Japanese of the actual update message, for reference: it's the one you should see when the firmware update is finally working.)

Hope this helps someone avoid the days of trial and error I went through!