Black horizontal line on bottom of 2017 Macbook Pro screen

I've had this 2017 13 inch Macbook Pro since 2017 and just a couple of months ago black horizontal lines started appearing at the bottom of the screen:


My worry is that these lines will continue to get worse and worse until I have to end up getting a new machine when the issue wasn't even my fault.


From other forums where people are having the same issue for their 2016 or 2017 MBPs:

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/510833/Horizontal+lines+on+top+and+bottom+screen


Someone on this particular forum said the issue is due to " a T-CON board issue. The design of this series places part of the displays logic within the main case placed just above the heat transfer fins of the heat sink. So when the system is running hard the heat can boil up cooking the T-CON board. Sometimes dust buildup within the fans and fins block proper cooling. If you are just getting the static lines you want to make sure you get your system cleaned and reduce the processing load. Also make sure your rear area is clear of any blockage as well"


It seems like many other people or having the same problem and it definitely seems like it is a design flaw having to do with the overheating of the machine. Despite whether the user from the forum is correct, I have already reset the SMC and contacted Apple support who simply told me that I can fix the screen for $500 since I am out of warranty. If I let my computer rest for acouple of hours, the lines disappear but only to reappear after 1-2 hours. The applications I am running aren't even intensive which makes me regret paying over $1500 for a computer that I thought was made for performance.


This is extremely disappointing that Apple won't admit to their mistakes and instead, force their customers to pay even more money to fix a problem that shouldn't have existed in the first place. I really don't know what to do anyone in terms of fixing this issue and I wanted to just see if anyone here is having the same problem as me and whether or not they know if a recall program is going to be implemented soon for this issue. Some extreme solutions that some people are saying is to install fan control program and tweak the fan control so my MBP overheats less frequently..

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 23, 2020 10:37 PM

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4 replies

Apr 24, 2020 6:41 PM in response to fluffytea

I've seen those black horizontal lines on several of our organization's laptops and it required the built-in Display Assembly to be replaced (not free).


Edit: After a closer look the issue is a bit different than what I've seen. Do you see the same thing on an external display? If the external display looks good, then the built-in Display Assembly is bad.

Apr 25, 2020 10:00 AM in response to fluffytea

It is hard to say whether it is just a defect or possible accidental damage. Sometimes it is hard to tell even when I can physically inspect the computer. I've seen displays with lines that never get worse and other displays that do get worse. It all depends on what caused the failure. At least you know the issue is with the built-in Display Assembly so you can always use the external display if necessary if the issue gets worse or the lines bother you until you can get the laptop repaired.


You can click on the "Contact Support" link in the upper right of this page to see your repair options. Some regions may allow you to mail the laptop to Apple for the repair (just make sure to have a good backup first since Apple could always wipe the SSD).

Apr 24, 2020 6:48 PM in response to HWTech

Thanks for responding! I don’t see the same thing on my external display. Is this damage something that is usually caused by the user or is it a design flaw? I have never dropped my laptop and take very good care of it.

Also, should I get it replaced right away or will it be okay if I just leave it alone and deal with the nuisance of horizontal lines every day?

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Black horizontal line on bottom of 2017 Macbook Pro screen

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