Chosen Solution
When I close the lid of my screen and re-open it: the backlight is off but I can still see the LCD image. If I close the lid a few times and reopen I will then be able to see the screen with backlight on (normal). So initially I was like ok great, probably the inverter cable getting pinched in the hinge. But then when the backlight is off and I navigate to the apple symbol and click sleep and wait a second and then press spacebar (or any key) the screen wakes to normal (from no backlight). So now I start thinking maybe this is software related? I reset the SMC, problem still persists. I’m also wondering: is there some sort of switch in the hinge that is getting stuck? If so, what does that look like and how could I fix it?
Your system uses a magnet in the lid and a Hall sensor in the uppercase. The easiest way to locate it is to use a steel paperclip to locate the switch magnet along the left side, then carefully fold the display down to give you a reference on the uppercase use a small magnet to fire off the Hall sensor.
Given how new the system is you’re likely covered under warranty.
