2022.06.12.0 Comment

‘Flexgate’ Display Issues on 2016 MacBook Pro and Later

'Flexgate' Display Issues on 2016 MacBook Pro and later

Apple Flexgate One of the typical problems of our MacBook owner customers

Till today very often we receive MacBook Pro models with display issues. The main reason for the backlighting problem is the very fragile and breakable flex cable, which has been called “Flexgate”.Affected machines only receive illumination at the bottom of the screen, which appears to be like a ‘stage light’. A disturbing error at the beginning can eventually lead to a complete failure of the display.

Flexgate

The affected models of Apple flexgate

All MacBook Pro models produced in 2016 and 2017 (13 or 15-inch ones) can be affected. Interesting fact that the Touch Bar models are more often affected.

Some 2018 models were also damaged, but from that time Apple made changes in the used flex cables to try to solve the problem. So not all 2018 models are faulty.

Unfortunately for the new MacBook Air models, they used a different display cable design, but in the same way: the cable is still wrapped over the display board and may cause the same failure. However, we are unsure yet if that will happen or not.

Apple Flexgate

A cable caused problem

The development of the 2016 or later MacBook Pro used a low-quality, very fragile cable that could easily fail because of the repeated opening and closing. 

The flex cables are not properly wrapped around the display controller board and the cables are pulled shorter or we can say tighter when the user is opening his MacBook. This is just a question of time.   

The time when the problem is expected to occur

In the beginning after your purchase of the MacBook Pro, the cable functions perfectly. After a while when under the usage you open and close your MacBook Pro’s lid, you can expect this problem. Of course, it all depends on the frequency of use. It can be a few months, or also years after purchase. One of the issues is if the device is still under warranty or not.

Apple is offering a free repair for the models that were bought between October 2016 and February 2018. The following models are affected by the free ‘Backlight repair Program’

  • MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)

Only these models are included in the repair program at this time.

If you still have a warranty (AppleCare+)

If you are still in the warranty period (because you have AppleCare+), visit an Apple retail store, or an Authorized Service Provider, or contact Apple Support. Only those can be using the Apple repair services for free, who have an extended AppleCare+ warranty, in this case, the repair will be covered by Apple. 

Customers who do not have ‌AppleCare‌+ or a 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro have to pay for the repair.

It seems it’s just a simple cable that needs to be changed, but the thing is in reality that the whole display requires to be replaced. If a MacBook owner is out of his warranty period, the fixing can cost $600.

Apple’s reaction and development

Around 2018 Apple implemented a fix in its machines. They started to use longer-length cables, which ease the stress on the cable, and with this, the opening and closing actions are not going to weaken the cable.

We can fix this problem for you

If you are experiencing this problem with your device, please contact us, we have huge experience to fix it.

In recent years, we have repaired such devices in countless cases to the greatest satisfaction of our customers.

Contact us

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