MacBook Pro 15 inch 2017 Flexgate / Stage Light problem

At this time the Service Program is limited to 13".

https://support.apple.com/13-inch-macbook-pro-display-backlight-service

however if at any time it is expanded to include your 15", typically Apple will issue a refund for out of pocket expenses for parts & labor... Having a service ticket will be your receipt..."affected by this issue, and you paid to have your display repaired, you can contact Apple about a refund."

In the mean time—

• Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
• Make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store.
• Contact Apple Support to arrange mail-in service via the Apple Repair Center.

please submit your feedback as well on your effected machine:

Apple Feedback http://www.apple.com/feedback

#Flexgate problem on my 15" 2016 model, I bought at end of 2017, have it for mere 20 months so far. The screen went out, apple store quote me $680+tax to replace! It's a rip off!! I said NO, so I have a expensive waste in hand :(

$2400+tax for 20 months, then $680+tax to repair, it's a shame, Apple!

I’m trying to understand why 13 inch get repairs, but 15 inch do not. It’s very hard to convince myself that it’s a fair policy. I have 15 inch, I’m unable to use it as laptop. Calling support gave no answers.

I appreciate that Apple uses recycled aluminum and claims to be more eco than other manufacturers, but forcing people to throw away fully functional notebook due to cable design fault makes it just a scam marketing talk.

Well It has been very obvious that flexgate / Stage Light effect is hitting MacBook Pro 2016 models and later.

https://www.change.org/p/apple-fix-all-macbook-pro-2016-and-later-with-stage-light-effect-or-backlight-shutdown-flexgate

But the question is why is Apple ignoring this issue although they admitte this problem with 13 inch 2016 models by lunching a service program which the display will be replaced at free of cost.

https://support.apple.com/13-inch-macbook-pro-display-backlight-service

I have a MacBook Pro 2017 which started to develop symptoms of stage light effect by showing vertical bright areas along the entire bottom of the screen then with the time the backlight stopped working when the lid is opened at certain angle. This clearly shows that my 2017 MacBook

pro has the same issue as 2016 models.

Even an AASP technician found out that my device is affected by the same issue but he couldn't replace the screen for free as Apple hasn't included this model to the service program and he quoted me +$700 for a new display.

So is this my fault to fix a bad manufacturing design and spend an amount that nearly cost more than a half of a new device. Is this Apple policy to make the customers to buy a high end laptop every 2 years!?

Apple 2 days ago launched a new service program for 2016 & 2017 models for a battery recall https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212163

As far I know the number of times customers of these models have complained about the above problem is way lesser than customers have complained about the backlight display program but Apple keeps ignoring.

I really don't know why Apple is doing that.

Is this a PR thing that makes Apple won't acknowledge the design flaw that they made on these devices?

OR

Is this because of the lawsuit ongoing against Apple regarding this issue?

https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/33962843/Taleshpour_v_APPLE_INC

What also frustrating is Apple design choices as the display backlight problem caused by the worn out of a ribbon cable as this cable gets damaged by opening and closing the lid many times and this could be solved by spending only $6 to change the cable but that solution is impossible because the cable is built in with the display so you have to spend over $700 to fix a problem that could be fixed with $6 only.

Also for the record the flexgate / stage light effect is starting to show on 2019 models

Which means maybe within 2 years we will see flexgate is happening with 2019-2020 models (even the M1 chips models as they have the same chassis).

This generation of Macbook pro (2016-later) is the worst generation of MacBook of all time. It has so many design flaws such as:

Display backlight problem. https://support.apple.com/13-inhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212163

Horizontal lines on the screen and pink screen

Keyboard problem https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks

SSD problem https://support.apple.com/13-inch-macbook-pro-solid-state-drive-service

Battery Problem https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212163

T2 chip problem

Apple should toss this generation into the trash and go back with the powerful reliable previous generation and stop the obsession of thickness.

This is a message from someone who love Apple products but also a disappointed customer who paid a huge amount

to buy this machine which all his business and work depends on this machine but this machine failed him and couldn't last 2 and half years.

Now I'm using an old PC laptop which I never take care of it and dropped so many times but it still working fine and I will stop using it till Apple decides to include 2017 models into the service program.

I purchased my MacBook Pro in august 2017. In the month of March 2019, one day I was working on da Vinci resolve and suddenly my display turned off and display started showing white and black patches on the bottom on the screen and display only works below 45 degree angle. I soon found out that I was due to fault in the backlight cable length. The issue has been dubbed as #flexgate. So, it’s a manufacturing defect. Apple did launch a repair program for 2016 models with similar issue and I have been waiting for past 8 months for Apple to extend the program to include 2017 13 inch models. It’s very expensive (46000 rupees ~ $650) to repair my Mac and I have already visited Apple service centre 3 times in India in Delhi and Chandigarh at Unicorn AASP. But It seems there is NO HOPE.

link to my original post: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250902774

I’m never going to buy any Apple product again. Apple broke my trust.

#flexgate

The only thing that u can do is let Apple know about this issue on Apple support, call them and tell them about this issue.

https://support.apple.com

And, u should also fill the Apple feedback form at the following link:

https://www.apple.com/feedback

As per my knowledge, Apple does not monitor these community discussions, this is for users discussion only.

also, tweet on Twitter using #flexgate

Apple acknowledges the backlight issue, but only if your MacBook Pro is a 13" 2016 model. The display design with the integrated display cable is exactly the same on their 15" models. And their 2017 models. But if you have a 2017 13" Mackbook Pro with "stagelights" at the bottom of the screen and it goes black if you open it more that approx. 45 degrees and you can see the icons in the cock and other stuff on the desktop if you point a flash light to it ... it's not the backlight issue, it's just bad luck and you probably mishandled it or ran it over with a steam roller or took it diving or something else which is clearly your own fault.

I have the same issue on a 2017 13" MBP and I called Apple - that was a very interesting support experience ... if you can call it support. I wrote about it here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253225328

Has Apple fixed the #flexgate manufacturing defect in replacement parts that will be used to repair 2017 13” MacBook Pro display ?

Otherwise,the issue will keep occurring again and again after every one or two years

such a expensive and beautiful machine and yet it has stupid design flaws that even a $200 dollar refurbished laptop doesn’t have i.e. the backlight cable breaks just my opening and closing the display.

DID APPLE MADE THIS DEVICE TO BE USED WITH CLOSED LID ?

WHAT A NOOB ENGINEERING !!!

why is apple ignoring the fact that 15" inch MacBook pro also has the same #Flexgate issue faulty display due to bad design and lac of quality check on product first we have faulty keyboard then we faculty battery then we have faulty display cable . is anything perfectly like a pro in MacBook pro ? let it be 2016 or 2019 model all have keyboard issue all have flexgate issue

Hi all,

I have the same issue and share my feedback.

I have a MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017) which legal warranty is finish in December 2019. 3 month later I start to have the lightning at the bottom of my screen become defective.  At visual it look like a "stage light" effect. 

Moreover, one of the keyboard letter « J » is become to have a sporadic failure. 

This is just UNACCEPTABLE from a brand like apple where the one of the principles reasons to buy an apple product is because of its reliability.

Moreover, they will not take in charge the screen replacement even it has been proven that the issue comes from a bad design. 

A claim has been sent to Apple France Support.

i am having the same display issues. If I open my laptop for more than 45 degrees, my screen goes completely pink and. I have had my laptop for less than 2 years. Apple needs to repair these laptops for free

I agree. Apple needs to resolve this and extend the warranty to 15” models. It’s ridiculous to have something this faulty and not take responsibility for it.

Anyone know if simply exchanging the flex cable solves this or only the full 700$ repair?

If apple doesn’t extend the repair Program to 15” it’ll be the last apple I own.

My understanding is, that the flex cable cannot be replaced separately, because it's glued to the panel (refer to iFixit videos). The only option is to get new display panel from Apple, which comes with new flex cable. My display panel is 100% working as I can see perfect image when I don't attempt to fully open the lid.

Unfortunately MacBook is totally useless as laptop, when the only way to see image is to keep screen half closed (<40% angle).

Same problem. 15” macbook pro 2016. More than 45 degrees and the screen shuts off. This is the 3rd repair after logic board failure and speaker failure. The computer is total junk. Ridiculous that they refuse to acknowledge the issue exists in 15” models.