Skip to content
By using AWS re:Post, you agree to the AWS re:Post Terms of Use
AWS re:Postre:Post
About re:Post

EC2 mac2.metal macOS 15.4.1 shows black screen when connected by GUI

0

Instance: EC2 mac2.metal macOS 15.4.1

Connection: via GUI, using my local macbook's Screen Sharing app

Problem: After connection succeeds, the remote instance's screen is completely black. I can control a cursor, but everything else is black and there is no log in screen. This problem happened on May 21 2025. AWS needs to fix this ASAP. This blocking a critical production work.

More context: SSH also works fine. I am able to connect to an EC2 mac2.metal macOS 15.3.1 instance via GUI and see the log in screen and control the machine. Did some upgrade happen on May 21 2025 such that all instances became 15.4.1 and screen sharing/control stopped working?

  • danich
    a year ago

    I'm seeing the exact same problem on the same instance type. Region us-west-2. 05/22/25.

  • Biswas
    a year ago

    The black screen issue on EC2 mac2.metal instances running macOS 15.4.1 when connecting via GUI using Screen Sharing is likely due to a macOS update pushed by AWS around May 21, 2025. This update appears to have introduced a compatibility problem or change in how Screen Sharing functions. SSH connections still work normally, and instances running macOS 15.3.1 do not have this issue, indicating the problem is specific to version 15.4.1. AWS is likely aware of the issue, but to ensure it's addressed quickly, you should open a support ticket if you haven't already.

Topics
Compute
Tags
Amazon EC2
Language
English

asked a year ago257 views

1 Answer
-1

I apologize, but there are a few inaccuracies in your question that I need to address:

  1. As of now, macOS 15.4.1 does not exist. The latest version of macOS is 14.x (Sonoma). It's not possible to predict future macOS versions or AWS updates for 2025.

  2. EC2 Mac instances typically run versions of macOS that are currently available, not future versions.

  3. AWS doesn't automatically upgrade the operating system on running EC2 instances, including Mac instances. Any OS upgrades would need to be initiated by you or your team.

Regarding the black screen issue you're experiencing with your EC2 Mac instance when connecting via GUI:

This could be related to a Screen Sharing configuration issue. For macOS 10.14 and later, Screen Sharing needs to be explicitly enabled through System Preferences for remote control to work properly.

To troubleshoot:

  1. Connect to your instance via SSH.
  2. Ensure Screen Sharing is enabled in System Preferences.
  3. If the issue persists, try restarting the Screen Sharing service.

If you're still unable to see the screen after these steps, it may be a more complex issue related to graphics drivers or system configuration. In that case, you might need to:

  1. Check system logs for any error messages related to display or Screen Sharing.
  2. Verify that your security group settings allow the necessary incoming connections for Screen Sharing.
  3. Consider creating a new instance from your AMI to see if the problem persists.

If the problem continues, it would be best to contact AWS Support for more in-depth troubleshooting, especially if this is impacting critical production work.
Sources
Connect to your Mac instance using SSH or a GUI - Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud
Amazon EC2 Mac instances - Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud

answered a year ago

  • JC
    a year ago

    This is factually wrong. macOS 15.4.1 exists. AWS should improve this LLM.

You are not logged in. Log in to post an answer.

A good answer clearly answers the question and provides constructive feedback and encourages professional growth in the question asker.

Relevant content