Macbook Air Screen cloudy gray with lines

[AquaTF]

So I was watching a video today on my 2 years old macbook air
when the screen went whiter and whiter and then became cloudy grey with lines on it , photo attached

What is the problem and is it easy to fix?
Thanks

 

[chabig]

It might be as easy as a reboot. If it still does that after a reboot, i would guess it's a hardware problem.

 

[AquaTF]

No reboot solved nothing.
What hardware is problem?

 

[chabig]

Probably the GPU, which is on the logic board. What happens when you connect it to that external display? If it works connected to that, your GPU is ok but maybe the Air's screen or the hardware driving it is going bad.

 

[AquaTF]

what is the gpu?
How do i fix this and what do i buy
I cant connect to display cos i cant login because all i see is gray

 

[chabig]

You would need a Thunderbolt or Mini Displayport cable to plug the Air into that external display. You don't have to log in, it will automatically use the display. However, it sounds like you are not very technical. If there is a hardware problem to troubleshoot, your best bet is to get it to an Apple store. The second best option is also Apple. See Apple Support.

 

[AquaTF]

Actually I think you'll find im straight A student!
The graphics has slipped out i think but do i need to buy a new one?

 

[tmarks11]

If you plug a cable in, and the external display shows nothing, that tells you that you have a logic board/GPU hardware problem (and the GPU is integrated into the CPU). And the CPU is soldered onto the logic board. Nothing has "slipped out". You pretty much are stuck with Apple fixing it (or buying a new logic board for $600 and replacing it yourself).

If the external display does work, than the problem is probably the ribbon cable providing the signal to the display. It has probably broken from flexing too much. The display is glued into the lid so it is not really a user serviceable part, although you can buy a replacement from fixit. You pretty much are stuck with Apple fixing it.

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Ma...-2013-Early-2014-Upper-Case-Cable/IF188-088-1

If you look at the fixit website, you can find a step-by-step disassembly guide. You can "easily" get to the logic board end the display cable (see step 22 in the following link), but getting the other end out of the lid is not for the faint-of-heat (ifixit treats the entire lid as one "replaceable" item, which costs $600):

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Mid+2013+Upper+Case+Replacement/15404

I like fixing things myself. I have the tools and electronics background. I would take this to Apple.

 

[SmOgER]

The display is glued into the lid so it is not really a user serviceable part, although you can buy a replacement from fixit.

It is replaceable, but at least getting to ribbon cable involves heating up the bezel around the screen and some cold nerves to peel it off without damaging anything. If money is tight but you don't want to do it yourself, the best thing to do is to bring it unauthorized yet somewhat reputable service store, preferably which specifically specializes in replacing laptop LCDs. With proper tools and trained hands it's almost easy peasy.