



Unfortunately, when this problem surfaces, many MacBook Pro models are older than a year and no longer covered by the standard one-year warranty. If your MacBook Pro has this display issue, the first step is visiting an Apple retail store, an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or contacting Apple support. What do I do if my MacBook Pro has this issue? No other MacBook Pro models are included in the repair program at this time, even if those machines are displaying similar issues. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports).MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports).Because it takes time to show up, affected MacBook Pro models may no longer be under the one-year warranty.Īpple in May 2019 launched a Backlight Repair Program designed for 13-inch MacBook Pro models manufactured in 2016.Īccording to Apple, a "very small percentage" 13-inch MacBook Pro displays from 2016 can exhibit vertical bright areas along the bottom of the screen or a backlight that malfunctions entirely.Īpple will repair affected devices, which includes machines sold between October 2016 and February 2018, for free. Since it takes time for the cable to break down, machines experiencing this issue generally do not display it for several months to years after purchase. With repeated closing and opening of the MacBook Pro's lid, however, the durability can decline, leading to the display issues. When you first buy a MacBook Pro, the flex cable functions perfectly. How long does it take for the problem to show up? It's not clear yet if that will happen, however. While they use a different display cable design, iFixit says the cables also wrap over the display board and could potentially exhibit the same failure. The new MacBook Air models could also eventually be impacted. Older MacBook Pro models are not impacted because they use a more durable wire that was routed through the hinge instead of around it, mitigating the stress of repeated display openings. 2018 models may also be impacted, but Apple did make flex cable changes to these machines that may solve the issue.Īpple introduced a redesigned MacBook Pro in 2016, and this was the first to use the new flex cable.

The issue appears to impact any 13 or 15-inch MacBook Pro model manufactured in 20 though it appears to be affecting Touch Bar models more frequently. IFixit says the backlight cable is usually the one to break first, leading to backlighting issues and eventual display failure.
