What is MacBook Flexgate Issue and How To Fix It

The term “Flexgate” describes a display issue with some MacBook Pro models brought on by a defective Flex cable. The flex cable was discovered to be the primary cause of the problem. Before delving into the details of a MacBook Pro flexgate issue, you must comprehend the situation.

Symptoms of Flexgate Issue

You might notice one or more of the following symptoms on your MacBook:

1:Stage light effect: The display’s backlight alternately illuminates bright and dark sections down the bottom of the entire screen. This is typically the first sign, and it could develop into a more severe condition.

2: After lifting the lid beyond a particular angle, the backlight shuts off: The display is fine when you open the lid, but it suddenly turns black when you open it up. The backlight turns off after opening the lid beyond a certain angle. If the lid angle is lowered, it turns back on. It exhibits odd behaviour and is an obvious sign that the Flex cable is damaged.

3: Complete failure of backlight: The backlight is completely off at this stage, which is the final one. The screen appears to be blank (or black?). Because a blank display could indicate several problems, it is simple to mistake one symptom for others. However, if you look closely or use a flashlight to illuminate the display, you’ll see that it is not truly black. The images and information on the screen will be visible to you. It simply isn’t bright enough to be seen. Therefore, the backlight is useless.

4: Graphic Glitches: This specific behaviour differs slightly. Graphical glitches are present, but the display remains bright; it may start to display negative colours or a tint of one colour across the entire screen, along with a vertical patch of fluctuating brightness and colour.

Causes of Flexgate Issue 

Multiple cables are present in the flex/ribbon. Usually, the backlight cable initially fails, leading to a variety of backlight-related issues. 

• Although most recent models of the MacBook Pro have 2mm longer display cords to solve this issue, some models may still experience technical difficulties because of broken or thin wires. 
• The display flex wires on the afflicted MacBook models are flimsy and unreliable. Every time you open and close the device’s lid, the flex cables, loosely wrapped around the display controller board, are tugged tight, leaving the potential for a simple MacBook Pro flexgate problem to appear at any time.
• In such a case, the backlight cable typically fails first, causing several backlighting problems. It can occasionally cause the display to malfunction completely.

Which Models of the MacBook Pro are Affected?

In 2016, Apple unveiled a revamped MacBook Pro with a brand-new flex cable. Therefore, every 13 or 15-inch MacBook Pro model produced in 2016 or 2017 is affected by the Flexgate bug (sold between October 2016 and February 2018). According to various sources, Touch Bar devices have been the most affected. However, Apple added more silicone shielding last year to address its jamming issues.

• A1707 – MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016-17, Touch Bar model)
• A1706 – MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016-17, Touch Bar model)
• A1708 – MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016-17, non-Touch Bar model)

How to Fix Flexgate Issue

Since the cable is a part of the screen, it cannot be changed. Therefore, the default resolution is to replace the entire display panel. Apple provide a service program to fix this problem.

Apple’s Display Backlight Service Program

Apple launched a free display replacement program in May 2019 to address the flexgate problem.

However, the application only applies to the “13-inch MacBook Pro 2016 model,” even though it is abundantly evident that the problem affects both the 13-inch and 15-inch versions from the 2016 and 2017 models.

What if the display service program is not available for your MacBook?

You qualify for Apple’s free display replacement program if you own a 13-inch MacBook Pro 2016 model purchased between October 2016 and February 2018. Please bring it to a service provider that Apple approves.

You will regretfully have to pay for a new display if your MacBook is ineligible for the program. It is expensive. Your best option might be a reputable, non-Apple MacBook repair expert.