MacBook Pro flexgate
The display of a 2016 or 2017 MacBook Pro goes dark when you open the lid further, or shows bright patches along the bottom as if stage lights were shining on it. The culprit is a cracked backlight cable in the hinge. We solder on a new one and you don't need a whole new display.
- Over 25 MacBooks with flexgate repaired in the last two years
- From 2,990 Kč, 12-month warranty on the backlight
- Your original display stays, Příkop 27b
Before you bring it in
- Don't open the lid wider than you need to.
- For longer work, connect an external monitor.
- Bring it in or send it. We usually finish the repair in 2 to 3 working days.
What not to do: Don't repair the cable yourself. It's thin, soldered at the display, and easily tears off completely in a home attempt. We've repaired MacBooks like that too.
How we repair it
Confirm it is flexgate
We shine a torch on the display. If there is a picture and only the backlight is off, we look at the cable under a microscope.
Solder in a new cable
We solder a new backlight cable onto the original display assembly.
The camera, if needed
The camera cable runs through the same hinge and can crack too. We repair it right away so the MacBook doesn't have to be opened twice.
Clean inside
These MacBooks tend to be very dusty inside. You can add a cleaning.
Test the full lid range
We open the lid all the way and close it again many times. The display has to stay lit in every position.
What it costs
Our price list starts the flexgate repair at 2,990 Kč, with a 12-month warranty on the backlight. If there is a lot of dust inside, as these models often have, we also recommend a clean. We repair nothing without your approval.
If the repair is not worth it, we offer to buy the MacBook.
Frequently asked questions
What is flexgate?
The 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro has a backlight cable so short that it pulls tight every time the lid opens. Eventually it cracks. The display then goes dark past a certain angle or shows bright patches along the bottom, known as the stage light effect.
Which models are affected?
The 13" and 15" MacBook Pro from 2016 and 2017 (A1706, A1707, A1708). From 2018 the cable is longer. We haven't repaired flexgate on a newer model even once in the last two years.
Does the whole display need replacing?
No. We solder a new backlight cable onto the original display. Replacing the whole assembly would cost more than twice as much.
I have pink or grey stripes on the display. Is that flexgate too?
That's more likely dustgate, dust inside the display. We repair it too, but the fault can come back. We tell which it is during diagnostics.
How long does it take?
Usually 2 to 3 working days.
What warranty do you give?
We give 12 months on the backlight repair.