⟐ Answered March 13, 2026 at 20:40 MST

⟐ Answer accepted October 29, 2021 at 6:50 MST

⟐ Commented December 23, 2025 at 4:34 MST

I have a MacBook Pro 14" 2021 —A2442 The customer brought in with olive oil in the screen. I ordered a $750 replacement screen and installed it without incident. Here’s what I see on the replacement screen (see photos).

The seller says that all new screens have to calibrated; otherwise, they show these marks. First that makes no sense. Calibration affects the entire screen uniformly, not in portions or sections of the screen. Non-calibration or incorrect calibration would not explain for rectangles along the top of the screen.

Then the seller said that it looked like I had the menu bar set to the wrong translucency. But I cannot find that setting. I did, however, set the menu to disappear. When it vanishes the rectangles still remain present on the finder and various apps, multiple user profiles and on the log-in screen.

Please comment. Please cite your sources if providing arguments against the seller’s claim.

⟐ Edited March 19, 2025 at 19:50 MST

I can use the macbook with an external monitor without noticing problems, IO, camera, microphone, charging, keyboard, touch ID, everything works except the monitor.

Is it a good idea to buy the screen and repair only this part myself or is there a high chance the problem is in the logic board?

Image on monitor (looks like an x-ray)

Image on external vs internal screen.

Support Apple images:

My images:

No damage to monitor connectors.

A cable deformity.

Updating with the solution to the problem. In my case the solution was to change the screen for an original apple one.

1- Carefully read the information on this page. https://support.apple.com/self-service-r...
2- Buy the screen and angle sensor from this site indicated by apple, yes you need to change both. https://selfservicerepair.com/home
3- It is mandatory to contact apple so that they can calibrate the colors of the screen and the angle sensor.

⟐ Commented December 31, 2023 at 2:11 MST

I’m dealing with a frustrating issue on my MacBook Pro M1 (2021) and could really use some advice. Here’s the problem:

• The issue: The backlight on my MacBook has gone dark multiple times now. When it happens, I can only see the display using a flashlight, so the screen isn’t entirely dead. Sometimes, after doing resets (SMC, NVRAM, etc.) or powering down and restarting, the backlight comes back on, and the MacBook works normally for a few days, but then the issue returns.

• Recent problem: This time, the issue worsened. When I power on the MacBook, it chimes as usual, and the Apple logo briefly appears on the screen before disappearing. After that, it keeps trying to boot but eventually lands on a black screen with an exclamation mark, asking me to restore the backup. The device no longer loads into the startup options even when I hold the power button for recovery mode. I’m seeing all of this using a flashlight because the backlight isn’t coming on at all.

• What I’ve tried: I attempted a DFU restore, but I got a “MacBook can’t be restored, error 2006”. I’ve also had a technician check it out, and he found a circuit shortage in the display and SSD section of the logic board, which he claims to have repaired. However, the backlight issue persists, and now it won’t boot past the exclamation mark screen.

Next steps:

The technician is now considering replacing the display to see if that resolves it. My main concern is whether it’s a display issue or if the problem lies elsewhere, possibly with the logic board or some other component. I’ve heard that issues with the backlight IC or power supply could also cause similar problems, but I’m not sure how to proceed.

My questions:

1. Has anyone experienced similar issues where the backlight randomly cuts out and comes back after resets?

2. Could this still be a logic board issue even though the technician didn’t find anything else wrong after repairing the circuit?

3. If replacing the display doesn’t fix the problem, what other components should be checked (backlight IC, cables, etc.)?

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I’m really hoping this isn’t a permanent issue, and I’d love to hear from anyone who has dealt with this before!

Thanks in advance!

⟐ Answered December 31, 2024 at 16:48 MST

⟐ Answered February 03, 2025 at 6:53 MST

Had some noise coming from my 14" which I initially thought were dirty fans, so cleaned them out, stripped out the logic board etc..

Then I thought it was from speakers but with the back open I narrowed it down to coming from the SD port!? Constant, and at times very loud, and always super annoying.

1. This is soldered directly onto the board which is great, Does anyone have any opinions on desoldering the part off, and leaving it off, feels like a bad idea, can't see an option to buy a replacement at first glance either.
2. I'm open to some other hacks also, already tried first aid in recovery mode, no faults showing. All software on mac and apps are up to date. noticed you can't do a resetting pram and smc on M1, it's Auto on restart?

Thanks

⟐ Commented July 16, 2023 at 7:41 MST

I think I accidentally stripped off one of the metal connections when removing the flex cable on the logic board. Have I completely screwed this up?

⟐ Commented September 27, 2022 at 22:58 MST

i didnt see a guide on it here not even if the current one broke guessing because it would require a full disassembly

⟐ Answer edited July 15, 2022 at 14:48 MST

⟐ Commented December 30, 2021 at 8:13 MST

Over the years, I have replaced many a Macbook Pro/Air display assembly. Occasionally, this has meant using an alternate color when the desired color was unavailable (ie: replaced a space gray with a silver one).

I just did such a swap with the 2021 Macbook Pro 14-inch (a2442), after being unable to locate a silver one to match the original one that was damaged. Now, it won't start. I followed all the standard procedures during the servicing (ie: disconnect battery, drain excess power, careful while "under the hood").

Obviously, I'm going to try and charge up the Mac . . . as soon as I can get my hands on the right charger. Until then, I just wanted to make sure this display assembly swap should work.

Thanks for any input. Off to find a charger.

⟐ Commented September 27, 2023 at 19:46 MST

Nothing shows up with a flashlight, and the Apple logo on the lid does not light up (this is a 2021 MBP—the logos are supposed to light up, unlike the previous models).

If I boot the computer, wait ~30 seconds, and type my password, it will log in and I can plug in an external display which works fine. In sys prefs and sys profiler, I can see the internal retina display, which shows up fine and does not report any errors.

So the display is connected—the computer sees it—but is getting neither video nor backlight. I am at a total loss. I got this laptop delivered less than 3 weeks ago, brand new. It was just sitting on my desk all night. Any ideas?

⟐ Commented February 22, 2024 at 5:11 MST

⟐ Commented February 11, 2024 at 21:15 MST

The machine will chime. I can wait a few minutes and press a key, and it will chime again. Sometimes the chime is cut short by a staticy noise.

I think the GPU died, as I was having screen freezes during a Zoom call earlier in the day.

For the M-series Macs, I found guidance that said to hold the power button for ten seconds, wait, and repeat until it boots up.

I appreciate any advice!

⟐ Answer edited January 27, 2024 at 10:52 MST

I asked a local repair shop for advise and was told to try to remove some cable from a logic board to cut off eletricity supply from a battery and wait for a couple minutes. So I read the Repair Manual(https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/2...) but I'm not sure what cables are corrent to detach. Taking off the battery management unit (BMU) flex cable is enough?

⟐ Commented March 06, 2023 at 11:19 MST

I have MacBook Pro M4 A3112.(Nov'24). this is my first Macbook.

Initially display screen had some damage, so got the screen replaced and i notice both Wifi and Bluetooth has stopped working.

I took back to the repair guy who helped to replace the screen, but he has no clue why Wifi and Bluetooth are not working.

please find the attached the screenshots and photos I took as part of initial diagnosis I could do.

Please advise, what could be the issue and how to resolve this ?

Thanks

RB

Hi @danj

I did reformat whole Macbook and reinstalled OS. Seems issue still persists.

I connected the MacBook to my router using Rj45 cable with the help of connector so I can access wired network connection to internet.

However I tried to do offline diagnostic and I got the error CNW001 . Have attached screenshot.

Power charger wasn't connected to macbook when I ran the diagnostic so the error PPP020 can be ignored in the image here, as I see the MacBook is working fine when charger is connected.

Let me know what option i have to resolve this CNW001 error.

I am using wired connection for Internet for now, not a substantial solution.

Thanks

RB

I used an Ethernet cable and was able to connect to internet.

The pic was taken with ethernet cable on !

⟐ Commented January 24, 2026 at 9:37 MST

⟐ Commented October 08, 2025 at 14:25 MST

All of a sudden, on the weekend, when typing on the laptop's keyboard itself, my input looks like the following: þˍ´ œ¨ʼ¸˚ ˘ ˝¨˛,´ð øˇ´® þˍ´ -z̄¥ ðø©ß

That's me trying to type "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dogs." I checked keyboard input and language of course. It works fine when connected to my dock or my bluetooth keyboard, like I'm using to type this. (I external keyboards 90% of the time with this laptop.) Also, the trackpad works, but the left click-slash single-figure select intermittently will prompt me to download rather than usual select behavior. It acts like it detects two-finger click.

I can only assume liquid damage. And I'm peeved of course. Mostly at myself. I wipe down the monitor with a damp cloth with a solution of white vinegar diluted with distilled water. I will wipe down the keyboard occasionally with cloth lightly dampened with cleaner. (Not the vinegar.) I will wipe the trackpad area with 99% alcohol or other cleaning solutions. I never get liquid directly in anything… well, I try not to. But apparently I didn't try enough.

I know I'm susceptible because I hate seeing grease or anything on the Mac. And use it constantly, even if almost always using peripherals.

Anyway, anyone have thoughts with this kind of thing? I live in a small town. So best I can do for repair is take it to BestBuy and let them send it out. (That's where I bought it from.) Or does someone think I throw the dice and do any iFixit keyboard repair myself?

Note about me: I'm an IT pro. I have fixed many a PC and Mac. At least as far as it involves screws. But soldering is something I don't even attempt. (Obviously — don't have the pro-level equipment.) If I'm not afraid to screw stuff in, is it worth my while to try this myself?

No, I didn't get AppleCare. Because I suspected the only thing I know I risk is liquid damage. And looks like I just awarded myself the jester hat.

⟐ Answer accepted March 19, 2025 at 6:37 MST

⟐ Answer edited November 24, 2024 at 17:23 MST