Apple offers free repairs for 2016 MacBook Pros with faulty backlights

[OneMoreThing...]

Apple isn't just trying to fix the MacBook Pro's keyboard. The company has launched a repair program that offers free fixes for 2016 13-inch MacBook Pros affected by an issue with flex cable stress (aka "Flexgate") that produces a stage lighting eff...

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[Bargee]

When I bought my top of the range 15" retina screen macbook pro with touch bar I thought I was buying reliability , a long life and a good name that would stand by it's products. My screen has now died with the classic 'flexgate' symptoms. ie if I open more than the minimum it dies. My computer repair shop says that Apple will only fix the smaller 13" screen models. Is this still the case?

 

[pigoo3]

I believe the repair program for "Flexgate" MacBook Pro's has ended/expired. Here's a list of current open Apple Repair Programs:

Apple Service Programs - Apple Support

This page lists all programs currently offered by Apple, including Replacement programs, Exchange programs, Repair Extension programs and Recalls.

support.apple.com

The flexgate issue really stinks. I have a 2017 15" MacBook Pro that I purchased used from a local repair shop (a couple/few years ago).

When I purchased it...it had just come back from Apple after being repaired for the "flexgate" issue (local repair shop submitted it for the repair under the special repair program that was still in place at that time).

I'm pretty sure the replacement cable is/was the same as the original flex cable...thus the new flex cable is very likely prone to the same failure issue. My understanding is the stress on the flex cable happens when the MacBook Pro display is opened greater than a certain angle...and this angle is when it's almost fully opened (well past 90°).

For this reason...in the 2-3 years I've owned my 2017 15" MacBook Pro...I've never opened the display past 90°. And as an extra precaution...if my 2017 15" MacBook Pro doesn't leave my home...I never open/close the display at all (only open/close the display if I take it with me outside the home).

I know this doesn't help on your end...just passing along the info in case it helps anyone else.

It is possible to do a DIY repair for the failed flex cable. The flex cable itself I believe is only around $20US:

MacBook Pro Retina (2016-2019) Display Backlight Cables

Replace the two flex cables connecting the display backlight to the display daughter baord.

www.ifixit.com

Here's about a 5 minute video that shows the "easy" DIY repair:

As can be seen in the video...the super difficult part of this repair is the micro-soldering that's necessary. On the positive side...the repaired cable is much longer than the original cable...and the flex problem should be 100% cured.

On the other hand if someone wanted to skip the DIY soldering method...and simply replace the failed flex cable with a brand new cable...this would seem very easy...unfortunately it isn't.

To do a complete replacement of the flex cable with a new one...the display glass/display panel needs to be removed from the aluminum display housing (this is not easy...and can result in a cracked display if not super careful).

Here's a 6 minute video showing this repair:

I think in my case...the local repair place told me when Apple officially does these display flex cable repairs...since the process of separating the display panel from the display housing is so laborious & risky...that Apple simply replaces the whole display assembly (100% swap of the old display assembly for a 100% new one).

This is why this repair costs close to $700...you're paying for a 100% brand new/complete display assembly. And unfortunately with this $700 repair...you're still getting the exact same flex cable in the display assembly...thus the flex cable could fail again!

The soldering method of joining 2 flex cables in the video above...is definitely less costly (about $20US)...and is a long lasting permanent repair. If someone is ok with doing the micro-soldering...BAMM...you're good to go!

HTH,

Nick

 

[Bargee]

Thank you very much indeed for that detailed reply and all the useful info. As you say that really stinks. When Apple takes your money for the most expensive laptop in their lineup (I paid over £2200) you don't expect them to refuse to fix a known manufacturing fault. So far I have bought 2 iphones, 2 macbook pros and 2 ipads but never again will I buy any product with the Apple logo!
There is a company in England who do this fix with a replacement cable and I'll have to see if I can get my machine to them somehow. Thanks again. Ian

 

[pigoo3]

So far I have bought 2 iphones, 2 macbook pros and 2 ipads but never again will I buy any product with the Apple logo!

The unfortunate circumstance here is your MacBook Pro failed "after" Apple discontinued the repair program for the flex cable. If it had failed sooner...you probably could have gotten it fixed for free.

Let's look at things optimistically. If you've purchased 2 iPhones, 2 MacBook Pro's, and 2 iPads...this means that 2 iPhones, 1 MacBook Pro, and 2 iPads...have worked fine...and you did get 5 good years out of the MacBook Pro with the issue (not saying you shouldn't have gotten more).

Apple is really one of the best electronics companies out there (if not the best). Apple always scores really high in customer service (many times #1).

If you like Apple products...and you like the macOS...if you aren't going to purchase anything else with an Apple logo on it...what are you going to purchase? And whatever those products are...do you really think it's going to be better?

Also consider even if this MacBook Pro was 100% un-useable (which it isn't...works fine with an external monitor as is). You haven't lost the full purchase price of this computer...since about 5 years later it's now worth about 25-30% of its original purchase price.

Again...I know none of us want to lose this amount of money either...just saying the possible loss isn't as extreme as the original purchase price. And theoretically...you could sell it on eBay...and recover some of its current value.

The unfortunate part with the eBay option. Someone may buy it cheaply...do the inexpensive soldering repair (shown in the video above)...and have a really nice laptop for a low price. Which of course means what you mentioned doing is a great idea...find a shop willing to do the soldering repair for you...and hopefully at a reasonable price.

If you decide to go with the soldering option locally...please let us know how it goes. I'm sure there are other folks out there that may be in the exact same position as you are now...or may be in the near future.

Thanks,

Nick