MacBook Air · MacBook Pro · all sizes
MacBook screen replacement
Cracked, black, striped or flickering. On a modern MacBook the fix is a new display assembly for your exact model — and on common models it is usually done the same day you walk in, when the part is on the shelf.
At the counter we will ask
- The model number on the bottom case — it starts with A, like A2681. Find yours.
- What happened — a drop, pressure on the lid, or liquid.
- Whether the screen has been replaced before.
Read the symptom
What you see, and what it usually means
Most screen faults announce themselves clearly. A couple only look like screen faults — which is why a black screen gets tested before anyone orders a part.
| What you see | Usual cause | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked glass, picture still works | Impact or pressure on the lid | Display assembly replacement |
| Black screen, but the keyboard lights up or you hear the startup chime | Backlight, display cable or panel — or a fault that is not in the screen at all | Test with an external monitor first, then quote |
| Coloured or white lines across the picture | Panel or display cable damaged, often after the lid was squeezed | Display assembly replacement |
| Ink-like dark blots that spread over days | Liquid crystal leaking inside the panel after an impact | Display assembly replacement |
| Uneven “stage light” glow along the bottom edge, or the picture cuts out past a certain lid angle | Worn display flex cable, a known weak point on 2016–2017 MacBook Pro models | Cable or display assembly, depending on the model |
| Flicker that comes and goes | Loose or failing display connection, occasionally software | Diagnose before replacing anything |
Why it is the whole assembly
There is no separate glass to swap
Older MacBooks had a sheet of glass over the screen that could be replaced on its own. That stopped with the Retina generation. On every MacBook Air from 2018 and every MacBook Pro since the Retina models, the cover glass, the LCD panel and its backlight are bonded together and sit in the lid as one unit.
That is why a cracked MacBook screen is fixed with a display assembly built for that exact model — and why the price depends so much on which MacBook you have. A 13-inch MacBook Air display and a 16-inch MacBook Pro display share almost nothing.
It is also why the model number matters before you travel: we can check that the right assembly is on the shelf.
Preventing the next one
How most MacBook screens actually break
Drops crack screens, but the more common cause we hear about is closing the lid on something: earbuds, a pen, a phone charger cable or a crumb of grit left on the keyboard. A MacBook lid closes with almost no gap between the keys and the panel, so anything left there becomes a pressure point.
- Look before you close. It takes a second and it is the habit that saves the most screens.
- Skip thick camera covers. Apple itself advises against closing a Mac laptop with a cover over the camera, because of that tight clearance.
- Carry it in a padded sleeve rather than loose in a bag with keys or a water bottle.
- Lift it by the base, not by a corner of the open lid.
Lines or flicker without any obvious damage? Our guide to MacBook screen lines and flickering walks through the checks to try first.
Screen repair
Questions
Can you replace just the glass on a MacBook screen?
On almost every MacBook made since the Retina models arrived, the cover glass, the LCD panel and the backlight are laminated together in the lid. A glass-only repair is not a practical option, so the fix is a replacement display assembly for your model.
Will I lose my files if you replace the screen?
No. A screen replacement does not touch the storage, so your files and apps stay where they are. We still recommend a backup before any repair, because a backup is the only thing that protects you from every kind of fault.
How long does a MacBook screen replacement take?
On common models, usually the same day, when the display for that model is in stock. Call with the model number from the bottom of the case and we will tell you before you make the trip.
How much does a MacBook screen replacement cost?
It depends on the model — a 13-inch MacBook Air display and a 16-inch MacBook Pro display are very different parts — and on what that part costs this week. Call with your model number for a quote; you hear the price before any work starts.
My screen is black but the Mac seems to be on. Is it the screen?
Not always. Plug in an external monitor or TV: if the picture appears there, the Mac itself is working and the problem is in the display or its cable. If nothing appears anywhere, the fault is more likely on the logic board, which is a different repair.
12-07 Jackson Ave · Long Island City
Cracked screen? Bring it in today
Walk in any day between 10 AM and 9 PM — no appointment needed. Call first with your model number and we can tell you whether the part is on the shelf.