MacBook Pro 2017 Screen works during boot then dies and just shows vertical lines - Fixed
Hi,
I had this problem that confounded me. My MacBook Pro 2017 (Dual Core Intel core i5 with Intel Iris plus 640 graphics) screen worked during start-up, showing the apple logo and slider. It showed the background screen for Ventura (13.2.1) for a half second, then went black with some vertical white stripes.
The machine worked fine with an external monitor and during the update to Ventura, the MacBook screen showed the login screen for several minutes until I typed in the password.
This told me that the screen was not damaged, since it was able to show some things. And, if an external monitor can be supported, then my reasoning said that the graphics chip is working. So what was wrong?
I tried starting in safe mode, resetting all that can be reset etc and it made no difference.
I have read that some of the heatsinks on the graphic chip can have a poor cement connection to the chip, causing overheating, and even a suggestion somewhere of reflowing the solder using a heat gun. I don't want to do this unless it's a last resort. I do notice that the fan is on much more than I would expect. Not sure if that is normal or some clue.
The screen was replaced just over two years ago due to a bad connection cable, but there is no sign of this being a problem now. The screen does not change when using different angles etc. I don't think the machine has been dropped either, or had liquid damage.
FIXED
Well, I didn't get any advice other than that the screen needed replacing, which was going to be expensive. I read on one site that someone had found the trick of pressing hard on the back of the computer at the back edge. So, I decided to take the back off, remove the battery connection, then remove and replace the screen cable (a lot of small Torx screws). It worked and the screen is now fine again.
- Turn off machine by holding the power button down for several seconds
- Remove the back of the machine (lots of tutorials on YouTube)
- Disconnect the battery by removing small plate and two Torx
- Hold the power button for 15 seconds to remove residual power
- Remove the two small Torx screws on the plate that holds the screen connector in place
- Carefully disconnect the screen cable
- Replace the screen cable and give it a good push down (don't overdo it)
- Replace the plate and the Torx screws
- Replace the battery connector and small plate
- Put the back on and power up
Worked for me and I have restarted a couple of times. Maybe it will work for you too.
Good luck.
SimonC
Thanks.
SimonC
