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Apple Extends 13-Inch MacBook Pro Backlight Repair Program
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My 2011 17" MB Pro had that exact same issue. I couldn't find another suitable replacement screen to swap out, so I eventually got rid of it and got this 2018 15" MB Pro.
Just dropping a very positive experience: my 2016 13” MBP developed the Backlight problem about 3 weeks after the original 4 year replacement period ended. Apple not only replaced the screen for free, but they also replaced the battery (was starting to fail) AND updated the keyboard, all for free - and the last two without me asking. I had no AppleCare coverage. They went well above and beyond.
Apple this week extended its worldwide 13-inch MacBook Pro Display Backlight Service Program, authorizing coverage for eligible notebooks for up to five years after the original purchase date or up to three years after the start date of the program, whichever is longer. The previous cutoff was four years after the original purchase date.
Apple launched the program on May 21, 2019 after determining that a "very small percentage" of 13-inch MacBook Pro units sold between October 2016 and February 2018 may exhibit vertical bright areas along the bottom of the display or a backlight that stops working completely. Eligible models include the MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports) and MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports).
To identify which Mac model you have, click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and then select "About This Mac" in the menu. Apple has not expanded the program to any other MacBook models at this time.
Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will replace the display on affected 13-inch MacBook Pro units, free of charge. To initiate the repair process, visit the Get Support page on Apple's website. If you believe your MacBook Pro was affected by this issue, and you paid to have your display repaired, you can contact Apple about a potential refund.
In 2019, repair website iFixit reported that the backlight issues are caused by a delicate flex cable that can wear out and break after repeated opening and closing of the display on affected 13-inch MacBook Pro models. Apple extended the length of the flex cable by 2mm in 2018 models, which seemingly fixed the issue.
Article Link: Apple Extends 13-Inch MacBook Pro Backlight Repair Program
Just reminds me once again what a complete tool Jony Ive was in those years. Bad keyboard, bad screen cabling, useless touch bar, loss of magsafe and all sorts of other useful ports.
All that pretentious pr---k cared about was how slim it looked. Their 'form over function' ethos went into overdrive after Jobs died.
I wonder how Ive and his merry band of morons are doing at their new company. Havent heard much about them lately.
Oh thats right, AirB&B. Love how this article totally mocks him: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.th...apple-designer-jony-ive-airbnb-hired-lovefrom
All that pretentious pr---k cared about was how slim it looked. Their 'form over function' ethos went into overdrive after Jobs died.
I wonder how Ive and his merry band of morons are doing at their new company. Havent heard much about them lately.
Oh thats right, AirB&B. Love how this article totally mocks him: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.th...apple-designer-jony-ive-airbnb-hired-lovefrom
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2016 Macbook Pro. I have replaced both the screen (top) and keyboard (bottom)
I am thankful to have free repair programs for both of my problems.
I am thankful to have free repair programs for both of my problems.
I’d keep calling them. Just because there is no formal program, does not mean they won’t recognize it as an issue. It is quite possible that even though they designated a fix for the issue, the fabricator could have used old parts
I just had a lengthy exchange with Apple about the issue of the 2017 MBPs (see here: https://www.techpowerup.com/276836/...7-suffers-from-widespread-retina-display-flaw). This is my actual notebook - which made us aware of the widespread issue, so we reported on it.
I went from customer support and then to their PR department, which then triggered their Executive Relations Service to contact me, asking for a picture and then telling me that their official stance is: it is not covered in any way by Apple if the device is out of warranty and thus out of pocket.
That statement was from January 12th. And on January 17th, the extend this program for the 2016 models - coincidence? Probably. But, I still like to think it is not...
Here is to hoping that enough people reach out to Apple with their 2017 model...I suggest everyone who has a 2017, to email their PR department.
I went from customer support and then to their PR department, which then triggered their Executive Relations Service to contact me, asking for a picture and then telling me that their official stance is: it is not covered in any way by Apple if the device is out of warranty and thus out of pocket.
That statement was from January 12th. And on January 17th, the extend this program for the 2016 models - coincidence? Probably. But, I still like to think it is not...
Here is to hoping that enough people reach out to Apple with their 2017 model...I suggest everyone who has a 2017, to email their PR department.
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Just had an interesting experience with an Apple repair on an Apple Care covered MacBoom Pro 13 2018 laptop. I'll try to keep it brief. The laptop has 4 USB-C ports.
On Day 1 the left side back USB C port stopped charging the laptop. I moved the cord to the left side front port and it charged the laptop. On Day 2 the left side front port stopped charging the laptop. Hmmmm I said. I moved the cord to the right side back port and it charged. I left it over night. Day 3, when I came down in the morning the laptop was only at 35%.
Called Apple for support. Went through number of potential solutions. Turn it off, unplug it, use another cord, use another power block and cord, etc. Nothing. Did a SMC Reset. Hmmm.....something changed. Now when it was plugged in, the Battery Icon showed the near empty battery shape and had a plug symbol it it and said "Connected Not Charging". Prior to that the icon never changed....showed the charge level and no lighting symbol or anything.
That was odd. Tried it again. Same thing. Tried each port and different charger block and cord. Nothing worked. Turned it off and did not log in. Hmmm...battery icon showed it was charging. And it did. Let it sit a while and it charged fully.
Logged in....and the battery icon changed to the battery shape with the plug symbol and said "Connected Not Charging" (Or something like that).
But now if you unplugged everything....so nothing connected, the batter icon still showed the plug symbol.
Apple said bring it in and drop it off or we can have you send it. Dropped it off. Also identified issue with the keyboard and the paint coming off so things like the letter A looked like a solid diamond. Guys here said seen most of that before, it is a logic board issue most likely, need to send it out. Out it went.
So....the part you are waiting for...
Came back today.
Repair report says "Replaced Apple Display and Touch Bar."
Hmmm....not why I sent it in......not have the display issue this thread is talking about.
They also clearly replaced the keyboard since the letter A was good. Repair did not mention that.
So I plug it in......nothing. Sigh. Same issue with the battery icon and plug symbol. So I say WT* did you actually work on the issue that I was having with charging? However, the laptop was fully charged.
After trying all the combinations of charger blocks, cords, SMC resets, reboots, etc. suddenly I hear a beep and the battery icon goes from showing a nearly full battery to a battery with the plug symbol to a battery with the lightning symbol.
Not sure they actually replaced the screen, not sure how I could tell. It had no scratches or lighting issues before. It was sparkly clean however. But not sure.
Not sure the Touch Bar was replaced either. I thought it was integrated with the T2 security chip? If it was replaced wouldn't my finger print I had stored be gone?
So not sure what they actually did....do I have a new screen? New Logic board? New Touch Bar? I know I have a new keyboard. Hmmmmm
So that's my *potential* screen replacement story....just not sure how I got there if I did in fact.
On Day 1 the left side back USB C port stopped charging the laptop. I moved the cord to the left side front port and it charged the laptop. On Day 2 the left side front port stopped charging the laptop. Hmmmm I said. I moved the cord to the right side back port and it charged. I left it over night. Day 3, when I came down in the morning the laptop was only at 35%.
Called Apple for support. Went through number of potential solutions. Turn it off, unplug it, use another cord, use another power block and cord, etc. Nothing. Did a SMC Reset. Hmmm.....something changed. Now when it was plugged in, the Battery Icon showed the near empty battery shape and had a plug symbol it it and said "Connected Not Charging". Prior to that the icon never changed....showed the charge level and no lighting symbol or anything.
That was odd. Tried it again. Same thing. Tried each port and different charger block and cord. Nothing worked. Turned it off and did not log in. Hmmm...battery icon showed it was charging. And it did. Let it sit a while and it charged fully.
Logged in....and the battery icon changed to the battery shape with the plug symbol and said "Connected Not Charging" (Or something like that).
But now if you unplugged everything....so nothing connected, the batter icon still showed the plug symbol.
Apple said bring it in and drop it off or we can have you send it. Dropped it off. Also identified issue with the keyboard and the paint coming off so things like the letter A looked like a solid diamond. Guys here said seen most of that before, it is a logic board issue most likely, need to send it out. Out it went.
So....the part you are waiting for...
Came back today.
Repair report says "Replaced Apple Display and Touch Bar."
Hmmm....not why I sent it in......not have the display issue this thread is talking about.
They also clearly replaced the keyboard since the letter A was good. Repair did not mention that.
So I plug it in......nothing. Sigh. Same issue with the battery icon and plug symbol. So I say WT* did you actually work on the issue that I was having with charging? However, the laptop was fully charged.
After trying all the combinations of charger blocks, cords, SMC resets, reboots, etc. suddenly I hear a beep and the battery icon goes from showing a nearly full battery to a battery with the plug symbol to a battery with the lightning symbol.
Not sure they actually replaced the screen, not sure how I could tell. It had no scratches or lighting issues before. It was sparkly clean however. But not sure.
Not sure the Touch Bar was replaced either. I thought it was integrated with the T2 security chip? If it was replaced wouldn't my finger print I had stored be gone?
So not sure what they actually did....do I have a new screen? New Logic board? New Touch Bar? I know I have a new keyboard. Hmmmmm
So that's my *potential* screen replacement story....just not sure how I got there if I did in fact.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
2016-2020: The worst Macs ever made.
Hyperbole, I know.
But man, those 4 years were LONG.
Hyperbole, I know.
But man, those 4 years were LONG.
Hyperbole? I'd like you to tell me the worst Macs ever made if it's not that generation of MacBook pros.
Further proving that the 2016-2019 MacBook range was the worst batch of laptops Apple has ever made.
It had to be said.
Beat me to it! However I'd roll back 2020 to 2019 because the first batch of M1's will forever be known as 2020s.
It had to be said.
Beat me to it! However I'd roll back 2020 to 2019 because the first batch of M1's will forever be known as 2020s.
I have the same problem with my 15-inch 2016 MacBook Pro. The keyboard was replaced once.
I am seeing a lot of backlight issue reports occurring after the keyboard replacement. Can't believe Apple is not covering the 15-inch 2016 MacBook Pros. Anything that can be done in this case?
I am seeing a lot of backlight issue reports occurring after the keyboard replacement. Can't believe Apple is not covering the 15-inch 2016 MacBook Pros. Anything that can be done in this case?
I presently own 3 different 2017 MBP 13" models with Touch Bar (4 USB-C ports) and love this model and haven't had a lick of trouble with any of them. Fantastic machine ... and they are used daily, get transported to/from work/home, one my son uses at college. No problems. I bought them all used, too.
I have a MacBook Pro 2017 non-touchbar and It's has been the worst purchase I've ever made. I'm suffering from flexgate issue and Apple won't even acknowledge this problem. A problem that Apple already made a recall program for 2016 models only.
I'm pretty sure Apple knows this problem but they are ignoring it for unknown reason.
This is from a recent chat with Apple Support.
This is really frustrating to have a device that cost much having serous design flaws and Apple want us to pay for the repair. Such problems like:
- Stage Light / Flexgate
- Butterfly keyboard
- SSD problems
- And recently battery problems
I'm pretty sure Apple knows this problem but they are ignoring it for unknown reason.
This is from a recent chat with Apple Support.
This is really frustrating to have a device that cost much having serous design flaws and Apple want us to pay for the repair. Such problems like:
- Stage Light / Flexgate
- Butterfly keyboard
- SSD problems
- And recently battery problems
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hey, do u have any links with proof for your statement? cause im thinking about selling my 2017 13" because im afraid of the flexgate. Mine has been manufactured in may 2018.
This exact problem just started on my 2016 15 inch MBP. Sucks that they have decided to exclude 15". Makes no sense. I had half the laptop components replaced already while under warranty, including the screen.
Just got the dreaded 'stage lights' issue this morning on my 2017 13" MBP. Took it into an Apple Store and they want £470 + VAT to fix it. I may as well sell it or trade it in and buy an M1 Air for £999. After buying Macs for over 20 years this is the first time I've felt genuinely angry. Their lack of offering to fix this known issue for free on the 2017 model is just wrong.
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Apple loves to continue shipping defective designs, year after year. POS keyboards, and LCD flex connectors that run through hinges and predictably break.
Remember the "titanium" MacBook Pros, whose keyboards pressed into the LCD panel when the computer was closed... eventually destroying the panel?
Remember the "titanium" MacBook Pros, whose keyboards pressed into the LCD panel when the computer was closed... eventually destroying the panel?
Most manufacturers do unfortunately. Only, Apple proclaims more than anyone that they 'care about their customers'. Yet they pull off the same **** as the rest of them