Macbook Pro Not Closing Evenly

[LD Curb]

As you can see from the photo, my Macbook Pro (Early 2015 - 13") does not close all the way on the right-hand (facing) side. I think maybe there is an issue with the hinge?

Does anyone know if this is fixable ... either at the Apple Store or maybe something I can do myself? And how to avoid this happening in the future?

I keep my Mac closed 99% of the time as I use an external monitor for most all of my work, so I am surprised to see that this happened.

EDIT: See below for update

 

[SDColorado]

As you can see from the photo, my Macbook Pro (Early 2015 - 13") does not close all the way on the right-hand (facing) side. I think maybe there is an issue with the hinge?

Does anyone know if this is fixable ... either at the Apple Store or maybe something I can do myself? And how to avoid this happening in the future?

I keep my Mac closed 99% of the time as I use an external monitor for most all of my work, so I am surprised to see that this happened.

View attachment 823512

I assume it did close properly at one time. Since you keep it closed 99% of the time, is it possible that heat could have caused it to warp like that? Or did you have difficulty getting it to open at some point of the 1% where you did open it?

I wouldn’t attempt to fix it myself. I would be worried that doing so might crack the display. I would take it in to Apple and ask their opinion on how it might have happened and what can be done to remedy it.

 

[maflynn]

As you can see from the photo, my Macbook Pro (Early 2015 - 13") does not close all the way on the right-hand (facing) side. I think maybe there is an issue with the hinge?

Does anyone know if this is fixable ... either at the Apple Store or maybe something I can do myself? And how to avoid this happening in the future?

I keep my Mac closed 99% of the time as I use an external monitor for most all of my work, so I am surprised to see that this happened.

View attachment 823512

Maybe its the picture, but your MBP looks warped. Do you put the laptop in a backpack or anything? Does it sit flat on a desk?

 

[Painter2002]

I second what others have said here, that your MBP looks warped. Its possible it got bent, but I'd also check to make sure the battery isn't expanding and causing the upper/lower cases to warp. If the battery is swollen (from opening the bottom case), I'd get that fixed ASAP, as a swollen battery is nothing to joke with.

 

[greenmeanie]

Looks like it was in a backpack and you leaned back in the seat on it.

 

[Painter2002]

Looks like it was in a backpack and you leaned back in the seat on it.

But by that concept the screen would be warped as well. From the picture the screen looks perfectly straight, which leads me to think a swollen battery is a possibility here.

EDIT: So the screen doesn't look perfectly straight, but it doesn't match the extreme curvature of the body. If anything the screen should be more bent than the screen if anything else. But I think some of the distortion is caused by OP's camera... if you look at the edge of the desk in the background the desk has a slight warp.. My guess is the body is warped but the screen isn't.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

The 2015 MacBook Pro is super easy to open and disassemble, and removing the screen is a walk in the park. Try adjusting the screws on the hinge for the display and see if that helps. Tons of videos on YT that show you how to do it.

 

[LD Curb]

I assume it did close properly at one time. Since you keep it closed 99% of the time, is it possible that heat could have caused it to warp like that? Or did you have difficulty getting it to open at some point of the 1% where you did open it?

I wouldn’t attempt to fix it myself. I would be worried that doing so might crack the display. I would take it in to Apple and ask their opinion on how it might have happened and what can be done to remedy it.

It used to be "normal". Then one day I noticed that one side wasn't closed all the way.
[doublepost=1551131779][/doublepost]

Maybe its the picture, but your MBP looks warped. Do you put the laptop in a backpack or anything? Does it sit flat on a desk?

I think it might be the photo as it doesn't appear to be warped. It sits solidly on the desk.
[doublepost=1551131891][/doublepost]

I second what others have said here, that your MBP looks warped. Its possible it got bent, but I'd also check to make sure the battery isn't expanding and causing the upper/lower cases to warp. If the battery is swollen (from opening the bottom case), I'd get that fixed ASAP, as a swollen battery is nothing to joke with.

Not sure why the battery would swell. The Mac just sits on my desk and doesn't move. The fan rarely comes on and it is cool to the touch. I think if it were warped that it would wobble on the desk, but it is very solid in that regard.
[doublepost=1551131976][/doublepost]

Looks like it was in a backpack and you leaned back in the seat on it.

Oh, gosh, no. I don't own a backpack. I have taken it with me just a couple times and I have a really protective padded case for it.
[doublepost=1551132022][/doublepost]

But by that concept the screen would be warped as well. From the picture the screen looks perfectly straight, which leads me to think a swollen battery is a possibility here.

EDIT: So the screen doesn't look perfectly straight, but it doesn't match the extreme curvature of the body. If anything the screen should be more bent than the screen if anything else. But I think some of the distortion is caused by OP's camera... if you look at the edge of the desk in the background the desk has a slight warp.. My guess is the body is warped but the screen isn't.[/QUOTE

[doublepost=1551132104][/doublepost]

But by that concept the screen would be warped as well. From the picture the screen looks perfectly straight, which leads me to think a swollen battery is a possibility here.

EDIT: So the screen doesn't look perfectly straight, but it doesn't match the extreme curvature of the body. If anything the screen should be more bent than the screen if anything else. But I think some of the distortion is caused by OP's camera... if you look at the edge of the desk in the background the desk has a slight warp.. My guess is the body is warped but the screen isn't.

I took the shot with my iPhone Xs. The Mac looks perfectly normal in person except for that one side not closing.

 

[Painter2002]

[doublepost=1551131891][/doublepost]
Not sure why the battery would swell. The Mac just sits on my desk and doesn't move. The fan rarely comes on and it is cool to the touch. I think if it were warped that it would wobble on the desk, but it is very solid in that regard.

So it's important to remember that any battery can swell as it starts degrading, regardless if its docked or not. There are many factors that can contribute to a swollen battery, some of which are out of the users control.

Do you have AppleCare on it still? If you do I'd take it into apple to get it looked at. If you don't, I'd first open up the bottom case and check the battery. From what you are describing, the only thing that could cause such a warping in my mind would be the battery. If you haven't put it in a carry bag that got sat on, or anything else that could physically damage the computer, the only thing that would be strong enough to warp that computer frame, to that extent, would be the battery.

 

[LD Curb]

So it's important to remember that any battery can swell as it starts degrading, regardless if its docked or not. There are many factors that can contribute to a swollen battery, some of which are out of the users control.

Do you have AppleCare on it still? If you do I'd take it into apple to get it looked at. If you don't, I'd first open up the bottom case and check the battery. From what you are describing, the only thing that could cause such a warping in my mind would be the battery. If you haven't put it in a carry bag that got sat on, or anything else that could physically damage the computer, the only thing that would be strong enough to warp that computer frame, to that extent, would be the battery.

Thanks so much. I had Apple Care but it has expired. I'll drop by the Apple Store and check with them on this.

 

[Painter2002]

Thanks so much. I had Apple Care but it has expired. I'll drop by the Apple Store and check with them on this.

Best of luck! Let us know how it goes!

 

[maflynn]

Thanks so much. I had Apple Care but it has expired. I'll drop by the Apple Store and check with them on this.

Good luck, it still looks like the laptop is warped and just using the very basic logic I barely have, something has to be warped to exhibit the issues you're having ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Hopefully its something that can be easily and inexpensively fixed.

 

[_Kiki_]

hinges have tendency to shift, but they can be adjusted using screwdriver

 

[LD Curb]

Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate your ideas. I have an appointment Monday morning at the Apple Store for the Genius Bar to look at it.

 

[SDColorado]

Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate your ideas. I have an appointment Monday morning at the Apple Store for the Genius Bar to look at it.

I am hoping they take care of you. Best of luck!

 

[LD Curb]

Well, you all who said it was a swollen battery ... YOU WERE RIGHT!!!!! I took my Mac to the Genius bar and the wonderful rep immediately said it was a swollen battery. I took it in on Monday and got it back today. $199 for a new top case and battery. They sent it to Apple for the repair.

 

[ilikewhey]

199 thats not bad i was afraid it would be like 700 or something, since i have the same laptop as my workhorse thats good to know its only 199 to fix something like that.

 

[Painter2002]

Well, you all who said it was a swollen battery ... YOU WERE RIGHT!!!!! I took my Mac to the Genius bar and the wonderful rep immediately said it was a swollen battery. I took it in on Monday and got it back today. $199 for a new top case and battery. They sent it to Apple for the repair.

View attachment 825267

Nice, glad to hear they got it fixed for you and not for too hefty of a price either! Now you’ll have a basically new computer all over again. Enjoy!