Hot on the heels of a new MacBook Pro with even more “improvements” to the cursed keyboard, Apple has launched yet another repair program—this time for the fragile display flex cable on newer 13” MacBook Pros. It only covers 13″ models from 2016, while we know other MacBook Pros suffer from this issue.
This program addresses the issue behind “Flexgate.” Newer MacBook Pros (starting with 2016 models) use flexible ribbon cables to connect their displays to a control board beneath the Touch Bar (or where the Touch Bar would be, just beneath the display, on non-Touch-Bar models). The cables’ loose wrapping around the control board tightens and loosens with the opening and closing of the laptop, subjecting them to stress. Fatigue and tearing first causes the screen backlight to partially fail, often causing a “stage lighting” effect; over time, the screen usually dies entirely.
Apple quietly made changes in its 2018 MacBook Pro by using longer ribbon cables. Presumably, these longer cables will also be present in the 2019 model introduced this week.
The program Apple announced today only covers 13-inch models. But we know for a fact that the issue also affects the 15-inch variant for 2016.
This repair program is a long time coming, and a good first step in addressing Flexgate. But we’re not impressed that Apple isn’t covering all the known affected models.
It wouldn’t be surprising, however, for Apple to quietly add more models to the program as time goes on, just like it has done with its keyboard repair program by recently tacking on the 2018 MacBook Air and Pro.
30 Kommentare
I have a concern and hope someone here can help me… I was one of the people experiencing this problem in my 2016 MacBook Pro with Touchbar and with the program it was replace and now my display is like new. But, I have a question does someone in the ifixit team know if the repair is with the new and longer 2mm cable or they just repair the display changing the ribbon cables with new ones but with the same length?
Eric - Antwort
As a consumer, only way to find out it to look at the part no. of the backlight flex.
Aashish Shrestha -
the flexgate issue with my macbook pro touch bar 2016 came out today after 2 years of use.Thank you apple giving us a headache …i lost confidence to any future apple laptop they will be designing and will just get a heavier but reliable but older 2012 macbook pro.
steve - Antwort
…..will apple fix this? for free?
steve - Antwort
Having similar issue, first with keyboard then with in 2 monthes of keyboard replacement battery swollen and now after 3 monthes flexgate, apple did covered keyboard and battery swollen time but this time with flexgate is too much, let's see what they say with my 15 inch 2016 model of MacBook Pro, I hope they cover it under warranty, because this laptop is used with too much care but seems manufacturing defects are haunting the users :(
Shubham Sharma - Antwort
My mac pro 2018, 13” get flexgate issue! Screen does not work if unfold fully! It works with 40’ unfolding!
thet.tuntaungbro - Antwort
My MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016) got the #flexgate issue two days ago, and hope tha Apple will have a repairprogram, Otherwise Apple is untrustworthy
pol - Antwort
I am from India, my Mac book pro 2018 model has the same problem. The display is full of coloured lines. Now because of Corona the whole world is shut down. I don’t no what to do. We buy Mac because of its reliability. My 2011 and 2012 Mac still running with out any problem. This newly brought one is full of problems even with keyboard issue. Please help me mpaulsudhakar@gmail.com.
Sudhakar - Antwort
Buenas noches gente! les consulto: soy de Argentina y tengo una MacBook Pro late 2016 que tiene el problema con el flex. Estuve buscando por la página de apple la resolución sobre este tema, el cual leí en varios portales, el cual decía que Apple se hacia cargo. Según mi número de serie y al país que pertenezco, cuando lo ingreso en la página de Apple, me dice que no tengo cobertura???? Alguien sabe si existe algún mail para realizar el reclamo ? desde ya, gracias!
CRISTIAN ALVAREZ - Antwort
Good night people! I consult them: I am from Argentina and I have a MacBook Pro late 2016 that has the problem with the flex. I was looking through the apple page for the resolution on this issue, which I read on various portals, which said that Apple was in charge. According to my serial number and the country I belong to, when I enter it on the Apple page, it tells me that I have no coverage ???? Does anyone know if there is an email to make the claim? thank you in advance
CRISTIAN ALVAREZ - Antwort
MacBook Pro 15 still isn’t part of the program. I started having this issue yesterday… how much will Apple charge me? Any chance they’ll replace it for free?
apatrick - Antwort
Just had my MacBook Pro 13” 2016 screen go blank. After spending over an hour on “Chat” with Apple and reinstalling the OS I was told they would fix my screen for $475. During the “Chat” session I expressed concern that my MacBook had the Flexgate issue. The representative did not even acknowledge my concerns. Of course I didn’t know to call it the “13-inch MacBook Pro Display Backlight Service Program”. I finally was told to bring it to a local Apple repair shop. They will have to determine if it is the issue. Last time I had the Apple Genius Bar fix a MacBook after the “great price of $380 +/-” it broke in less than a week. They sent it back out and send me an email requesting another $560+/- to fix it because it had water damage. They sent a picture of a water damaged mother board. They should have cropped out the serial number. It was not my MacBook. I do not trust them at all. I made them open the computer in front of me and show me the water damage and compare the serial number. They replaced it.
Joe L - Antwort
i have the same issue too. My 2016 Mbp 13" with touchbar have flexgate issue. and Now my Mbp go blank. can i get the Apple apple program backlight (when my mbp its all blank)?
Nextar7 -
How long will they cover the issue? My late 2019 MacBook Pro 13” A2159 had the same issue TWICE and was covered under the 1 year warranty for free by Apple. They were back-to-back repairs. What happens after my year is up ? Does the repair program continue?
jeffery gilchriest - Antwort
Just lost my 15” 2017 macbook pro to flexgate. Why these machines are not also included in the repair program baffles me. It is completely unacceptable that my 4000€ machine breaks after two years of normal, even careful, use
Martijn van der Linden - Antwort
I have suffered the flexgate issue for my 2017 model of macbook pro touch bar A1706 version!! APPLE MUST ADDRESS THIS ISSUE FOR THE 2016 AND 2017 MODELS AS THEY BOTH SUFFER FROM THE SAME ISSUE! Another attempt to cheat the customers, hoping for a change!
ankita hegde - Antwort
I have the same issue with the same model of Macbook Pro!!!! This is ridiculous
emilysevilla -
One of my 2017 Macbook Pro 15” developed #flexgate after 2.5 years. The monitor goes black once I lift the lid more than 40 degrees. Apple Level 2 support rejected my request for free repair and only offered an expensive repair solution. They would have exchanged a 13” though, but they don’t acknowledge the problem in the 15” device, although the problem is well documented. Hopefully the class action suit will teach them, unfortunately it won’t help European customers. I wonder why I still buy Macs, only for MacOS, it seems. Apple, your quality is as below par as your prices are above par.
Lisa H - Antwort
Just experienced total backlight failure on a 2018 MBP 15” after less than 2 years.
As of today (Aug, 2020), Apple has been unhelpful, and refuses to acknowledge or do anything other than put a close to $1K repair on the consumer. Clearly, the same issue that they have already acknowledged exists on the 13” is also present on the 15.” Apple needs to own this and take care of it.
Greg VanderPol - Antwort
My Macbook pro 2017, 15” has a flexgate issue! Screen goes black when folded past 30 degrees! Extremely annoying to use in this position, I can’t even sit at a desk.
emilysevilla - Antwort
My macboo pro 2017 is facing flexgate issue after 3 years of usage. I used it very carefully and still I jave this issue. Apple is asking for 40k to fix this.
Sreejith S R - Antwort
Sir i too have got macbook pro 2017 model. But i have 15 inch model no is a-1707. I know many people from india wjo got the laptop in 2017. All pf them have got full display panel replaced. Those who had apple care plan APP+ where lucky to get it for free under thier Apple Protection Plan. But most of others who didn't had APP plan got thier display for around 40k to 60k depemding on the model. 13 inch 2017 are model a1708. So they got it for ₹40000.
vishwajeetbabbar -
You can add cooked t-con boards to the issue list too. Multiple issues are being wide spread MacBook has distorted image, why
JohaNNus - Antwort
Perhaps they quietly made changes in 2018, but still having similar issue with a 2018 mbp13” model. After 2 years and two month horizontal stripes appears all over the screen when it's s open over 35 degrees. 600€ to replace it. Unfortunately, we don't have class action in France. But planning to hire a lawyer and attack them for hidden defect.
Stephane - Antwort
I have this issue with my MacBookPro 2019 16” for about 4 weeks - i bought it december 2019. Repair will cost me around 800 € (in Germany).
Johannes Zylka - Antwort
The problem is not resolved. It adds a photo of my 2018 macbook pro 15 inches. The screen stopped working when the computer was 2 years and 3 months old. Appel refuses to repair as part of the flexgate sewris action :(
https://drive.google.com/fi...
Piotr Szczepanski - Antwort
We have two 2017 MBPs, 15" and 13" both with touchbar and top of the line models. We belieeve Apple committed fraud with intent when they replaced my screen in 2018.
I am looking for people in Europe who have this problem to take it to the EU Consumer Protection Agency and start a class action against Apple.
I have used Macs for over 30 years and I believe this is some aberration of Tim Cook's presidency. Apple has always stepped up to repair manufacturing design defects in the past.
They lost a class action in the US which will open them to losing in the EU as well.
Anyone who has this problem in the EU please write to hypnoregression@gmail.com
I will collect a list when we approach the EU.
Time to fix Apple's Management's Mental Mindset Defects!
Best to all
Frank
Doc MacIan - Antwort
So.. It is also known to happen on 2017 models.. Like mine.. No repair program though.. A-holes. Bye bye apple from now on.
fluxtras - Antwort
2020 m1 MBP 13 in officially has this problem. It has happened twice today and both times went away after rebooting. The display initially goes dimmer, and the "curtain" occurs on the bottom. I'm out of warranty to Apple support told me to just trade it in.
michael wheaton - Antwort
Hello everyone! So, has anyone tried to fix the flex gate thingy on eBay? I saw loads of adds and they offer pocket friendly rates. Thanks!
Aliyu Adamu - Antwort