Macbook Pro flexgate repair: No backlight when moving lid, detailed walkthrough on how to fix it
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✓ Soldering Irons:
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Guys it's possible. Just had a sub-30 minute phone call with apple, and they are fixing my 2017 15" flexgate/dustgate (both issues, I was going to fix it myself) macbook for free! I believe I hold the speedrun world record for this (26:49).
Instructions: politely let them know that you know this is flexgate/dustgate and that it is a known design flaw. They might say that only applies to 13" models (my rep "misread" this and told me they will do the repair, and then "realized his mistake" after he had already accepted the repair). If that's the case, keep trying and asking for a new agent until you find a manager sympathetic to your problem. I think I got lucky and this isn't the first time he had "accidentally misread" the 13 as a 15. They know it's bad and they know you will keep escalating, so I think they are just letting it happen to stop wasting employee time at this point. Maybe they are working from home and don't have other staff constantly listening in, maybe they have a bunch of screens left in stock. I also think you have better chances calling after hours so that your call isn't routed to a busy call center in the middle of the day.
how to prevent it ? i just bought an 15'' 2016 max out and i want to prevent this..
i bought it from amazon like "(Renewed)" and work fine but i wanna protect it
Rewatching as I'm getting one of these coming in about 2 weeks
Just want to know what is the scrapping tool.
Louis changed his outfit to bring Paul in, immersion ruined 😓
WOW. Too much for my little brain. Great job.
Are you still getting feedback that Apple with do this? I have two 2016 Macbook Pros with this issue (the screens literally went black independent of each other only a few weeks apart). Apple is digging in their heels claiming that it is NOT covered and they want me to pay $750/screen. Just curious if you have heard anything more recently.
Tant qu'il y a des pigeons pour acheter ce genre de daube…
Can I ship you my 15 inch to fix?
i have this probleme with my Macbook pro touchbar A1707 15 INCH screen model
i dont know what to do apple reseller point said we accept only 13 inch model
am lost please help a brother out Mr louis
Such ש valuable info! On my A1707 the screen has got tiny horizontal lines from top to bottom. At first it used to only happen when fully opening the lid, but now no matter what the lid position is, the line are always there. Is this also a result of a broken backlight cable, or the other, center image cable? if it's the image cable, can the cable be just replaced? or could you used the same method to "extend" the image cable? as Paul said it's long enough.. thanks so much
Screen messed up on my A1707.
Popped the hood only to find mint condition flex cables.
What could be wrong, in not the flex cables?
Will Apple authorize a free repair if I'm not the original owner of the machine?
I just got this flexgate problem on my 13 2016 non Touch Bar model, which is 5 years and 2 months old. And this program in germany covers it only for 5 year. do you think they will still fix it for free even that im over? you you think its good tobe pushy in this case ?what would u do?
Hey guys, does this still happens to the 2020 M1 MacBook Air and pro?
what tool do you use for the traces
Screen messed up on my A1707 pristine MBP 2½ yrs in.
Spent 2 hrs today in Apple store.
Manager made phone calls.
Absolutely impossible to have them repair this free of charge. They kept referring to the 13 inch repair programme regardless of what I said.
Me sad….
Good job, might i suggest that you strip the screens cable prior to cutting the end off, that way you can use tape to picture frame the section you wish to strip but more importantly hold the delicate end down a lot more securely, the moment it folded looked like a butt clench moment 🙂
Smart professional work ❤️
This is quite a tedious job that requires a significant amount of time and skill. I assume you factor that into the bill. I didn't think it was even possible to splice this type of cable.
I was pretty confident in doing this myself until you whipped out the microscope…
Although this may sound like a good idea, it will not last long term. I tried this method a couple of times and deemed that we will not do this repair for customers. The solder mask will peel up off the flex cable and it will bend at the joint.
I'm wondering what it does to the wifi cables. I've seen Macbooks which have poor wifi in areas where other devices have no problem
This is amazing, thank you! Before I found your video I was wondering why Apple wouldn't cover all the models this issue impacted, but after an hour on the phone, I couldn't get an explanation. Now that I know they've covered it in the past, I'm gonna call back (with a guy on my side to do some of the talking, because sexism is alive and well in customer support) and keep at it until they cover the repair. The fact that they haven't stated a reason why only some models are covered, even if the reason is complete bs, means that they really have no leg to stand on. Good luck to anyone else preparing for battle with Apple!
ive done this repair a few times the bootleg method before these replacement cables were available… i was about to say WOW that pen he uses is a GAME CHANGER how easy he was able to scrape off the insulation on the cable, until he started doing the original cable… lol. i guess whatever the replacements are made of make it super easy to scrape off…
Excellent video.
What A model is it? I know my 2020 M1 MacBook Pro has the short flex cable but my previous MacBook – 2019 16" had a longer video flex cable.
Damn! This ends with a cliffhanger,with that cable falling under the desk!!! 😂😭
Bull use keeps lol
What make is the electronic screwdriver you are using? Not cheap I imagine, haha.
Is the new M1Max Macbook Pro 16" and the Old 16" also affected or guess to be affected? :S AND is it possible to get an Extension cable? female connector and male connector.
I find when using tinned wire or coated wire, stretching the wire slightly between two pliers helps to straighten the wire and makes it easier to solder.
Tell Paul he is handsome 😛
Great Job Paul, I was going to ask if Louis'es voice changed.
Great disclaimer at start 🙌♥️. Precise as always.
Can you tell me what screwdriver Paul is using. The motor one. I couldn’t find it in the description. Thanks.
I am reminded watching this video of the staggering amount of greed a company must have to not just supply a replaceable cable and make a couple of dollars (that fixes a problem of their creation) instead of trying to make hundreds from selling you what is attached to the cable. Instead smart determined people can make a living from such a difficult time consuming repair like this. Interesting to watch but ffs I hope big tech gets reeled all the way in and gets forced to make lasting products with all replaceable parts like once upon a time. Given Computers are now an essential tool to almost everybody they should be able to stay functioning for a decade minimum if treated properly imo…
You can just connect all the return lines together, also I’ve found T7000 to have significantly better durability than traditional solder mask for this repair
Very impressive.. even ran all of the LED return lines separately.
5:13 – Louis' Schadenfreude. 🙂
On the back of the extended tape in this way, you should stick a cloth strip for reinforcement.
Hi Paul, How come you are using jumpers again? I shared our method to stop that weakness? Cheers, Matt!
very professional job.
second cable is not backlight cable, is camera cable!
A very impressive job. Respect!