⟐ 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

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

I also found that one of the USB-C ports on the left side isn’t functioning at all—it doesn’t detect USB drives, while the other USB-C port works fine (though still no charging).

I followed tutorials and opened the MacBook, but everything looks intact. All the ports appear undamaged, and there’s no visible wear or issue.

This problem started suddenly, with no prior warning or incidents. I’ve been using the official Apple charger and cable.

As part of troubleshooting, I tried downgrading macOS using another Mac, but that didn’t help. I've also tried replacing the faulty usb-c and MagSafe connectors with ones from a working MacBook Pro, but the issue persists. I’m starting to suspect that the logic board is the problem, even though I haven’t done anything to damage the Mac.

At the moment, the battery is at 100%, and the MagSafe LED is green, but the Mac still isn’t recognizing the Apple Power Adapter (see attached photo).

Do you have any suggestions on how to proceed?

⟐ Commented November 03, 2025 at 14:42 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

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

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

my MacBook Pro 14" (2021) got dropped heavily and the screen is broken and it has a visible dent in the bottom right corner of the case.

I brought it to an official Apple Repair Shop and they told me that not just the Display, but as well the Battery needs a replacement. They don't just change the battery but quoted the entire "Top Case with Battery".

As the quote came in at $1.500 it's roughly 50% of what a brand new one costs so I am unsure if it's worth it and might want to try repairing it myself instead.

I saw that on iFixIt there is a guide and part for just replacing the battery as well. is that viable or should I get the same part apple service is quoting, e.G. the entire top case (with battery)?

Thanks,

⟐ Answered March 18, 2024 at 18:58 MST

A few days later, she's back and town and drops the MacBook off to me. External monitors, keyboards, and mice all work fine, but the reported symptoms are still occurring. I took it apart down to the logic board, both sides of which were rather immaculate, along with no corrosion observed on any parts. The only thing I can't see without further disassembly would be the keyboard.

I'm completely stumped with it. I'm really just looking for someone else to throw ideas at me before taking it to the Apple Store... Any help is greatly appreciated.

⟐ Answered March 04, 2023 at 5:36 MST

My model: A2442

⟐ Answer accepted July 04, 2025 at 19:05 MST

Has anyone in Canada used the tools? People mention running them through a VPN, but I just wanted to confirm if anyone's actually done that successfully.

⟐ Commented May 30, 2024 at 5:26 MST

⟐ Answered February 25, 2024 at 13:58 MST

⟐ Commented December 11, 2023 at 2:14 MST