M2 MacBook Pro screen crack for no apparent reason

I am in the IT space and have seen this issue over the past few weeks. I have noticed it’s mostly with the larger pro models (15 and 16 inch displays) all running the Sonoma update. One instance was hours after updating. We have had a few changes on these employees locations so at first we were checking for dirty power, Replaced the charging bricks, Surge protectors, USB-C cables at the new locations. We have one user that had this happen twice, I can update if there is another issue after changing out all possible power related hardware. I am now looking into the possibility of a feature on Sonoma that is on by default (System Settings -> Screen Saver -> Any moving screensaver), It seems that when these are playing on the screensaver the laptop heats up causing the bottom, specifically the left side, of the screen to heat up. After letting the screensaver play for less that 15 minutes I noticed a drastic difference in temperature from the bottom of the screen to the top. I am curious that this is the issue that is causing these screens to crack, scrolling on this forum not many people provide much detail but from what it looks like on screenshots is most if not all are running the Sonoma update and it appears they are also using the video screensavers as a wallpaper/screensaver. I feel terrible about people that are having to pay out of pocket for the repairs of brand new devices when the issue could be software related, That is enabled by default.

Bring to Apple store, tell them about the issue, show them this discussion forum and if they refuse or make an excuse that it is your fault, try to argue and speak to the manager. That’s what I did, they gave me free screen replacement as mine is still under one year warranty.

LalaSpain wrote:

That's not how it works. They refuse to cover it under normal warranty because they claim any internal crack of the screen is basically your fault. They assume it was created by something external. ...

When you have something going wrong with your device, you don't go there to argue, you just hand it over or send it to the service under warranty. That's how it works. Neither you or the guy at the shop is a technical service specialist. When you send it in, an authorised, trained, technical service person(s) will give a professional evaluation. Read this How to send your Mac to Apple for service - Apple Support carefully and take your decision. Those technical service people at Apple are highly trained professionals.

It's a common narrative that users are often held responsible for screen cracks. Based on multiple posts here, it's evident that the screens are prone to damage, not like all here inadvertently leaves objects between the screen and the keyboard. An Apple technician informed me that the screens on these devices are vulnerable to damage. if you decide to purchase these devices, it's advisable to enroll in the extended warranty program. This program allows you to obtain a new screen for $99. While there used to be a limit of two replacements, Apple has removed this restriction, indicating their awareness of the issue.

If you have already visited an Apple store, securing the first replacement might be challenging due to recorded incidents. However, if you haven't, consider signing up for the warranty program before you go.

FYI:

I opted for Apple products primarily for their durability, despite my aversion to the operating system. Nevertheless, I have always admired the hardware aspect of their products. I'll need to carefully consider whether they are still worth the investment when my next purchase comes around.

I have the same problem. There were two class action suits brought in 2022 and Apple finally settled last year. Apparently Apple made the decision not to change the design of the M2 and it has the same design flaw as the M1. The Mac design is so thin, and the screen so close to the keyboard, that opening and closing the top cover, puts pressure on the display causing it to crack and/or shatter in the corners. Even if Apple were to replace the display at no charge, it will happen again. There are cases of people have had the display changed out more than once only to have happen again. It affects both the Macbook Pro and Air (M1 and M2).

Apple Can't Get MacBook Display Class Action Dismissed

Law360 https://www.law360.com › articles › apple-can-t-get-mac...

Just go to another apple store and argue that’s a factory defect and this issue has happened to other customers. Try a bit pushy and talk to the manager, show this discussion forum. That’s what I did and they gave me free service.

I have had exactly the same issue with my 2013 15 inch M2 Macbook Air.

It is clear from my experience that:

• the 15 inch model is less robust than my 2018 13 inch model
• the screen casing on the 13 inch has a curvature which adds tortional stiffness; the 15 inch model is flat and thus has less tortional rigidity
• the clearance between the screen and the keyboard on the 13 inch model allows a business card to be slid in; on the 15 inch model it is barely possible to slide a sheet of copier paper in
• I do not buy the "crumb" theory. Instead I consider that screen cracking occurs because of tortional twisting when the screen is opened and closed and when the angle of the screen is adjusted.
• this twisting causes the screen to impinge on the edge of the keyboard and crack. Most of the images on the Community blog show the cracks emanating from the left hand corner of the screen. This suggests that the twisting is caused by a right-handed user moving the screen by grasping the top right hand corner
• Recommendations. Only open and close the laptop by grasping the top of the screen at the centre and changing the angle by consciously avoiding exerting tortional forces on the screen.
• Final thoughts. Apple should get the lab to test the above hypothesis and admit that the 15 inch models have a design flaw (cf. Boeing)
• Apple resellers should be instructed to fix the screen cracking under the Apple guarantee.

That's not how it works. They refuse to cover it under normal warranty because they claim any internal crack of the screen is basically your fault. They assume it was created by something external. I also was treated as a liar (like other people here) against what really happened and even showing pictures of the original cracks (the technician acknowledged that the explanation he gave me was not applicable to one of the cracks that appeared originally but that in any case apple would not cover this repair because they would not acknowledge internal cracks as their own fault. I was asked for more than 800€ to repair it. They would cover the repair (not sure if in full or to some extent) just if you bought the additional AppleCare+.

crowppl wrote:

It's a common narrative that users are often held responsible for screen cracks. Based on multiple posts here, it's evident that the screens are prone to damage, not like all here inadvertently leaves objects between the screen and the keyboard. An Apple technician informed me that the screens on these devices are vulnerable to damage. if you decide to purchase these devices, it's advisable to enroll in the extended warranty program. This program allows you to obtain a new screen for $99. While there used to be a limit of two replacements, Apple has removed this restriction, indicating their awareness of the issue.

If you have already visited an Apple store, securing the first replacement might be challenging due to recorded incidents. However, if you haven't, consider signing up for the warranty program before you go.

FYI:

I opted for Apple products primarily for their durability, despite my aversion to the operating system. Nevertheless, I have always admired the hardware aspect of their products. I'll need to carefully consider whether they are still worth the investment when my next purchase comes around.

That's exactly the primary reason why I have been using Mac for the past 20 years (I mean the durability) but this issue and the way they are (not) handling it, and the blaming... is just too much. In my opinion I would not risk it if they do not solve this and you are sure they provide you with the solid product you pay (abundantly) for. If you go for it I hope you do not join us in the "unlucky ones club". Even if you buy apple care, if this happens you still have to pay something for a problem you did not create, whereas a flawed screen should be covered by normal warranty, in my opinion. When it comes to me, after the experience, if they do not acknowledge the problem as they have done with other issues, this is it with Apple.

Following up on my above post, where they said it'd be a $750 repair. I took it home, fumed for a week, posted here, and then decided to just suck it up and go pay the $$ rather than have a 4 month-old non-functional computer. Then I was gonna sell it and finally switch platforms. But this time, the Genius Bar person said they would do it as a free repair under warranty. They sent it away, and I am now typing this on a computer with a brand new screen just a few days later. No money out of pocket.

So to all those that are having this experience, I highly recommend that if an Apple employee says you have to pay, leave, go to another Apple store, or come back on a different day, and keep doing that until you get the right employee. I'm very glad I didn't just decide to pay the first time.

Also, Apple: please properly train all your Geniuses to recognize that this is a defect not damage, and that it should always be treated as such! Both Geniuses were very polite and nice people, it's not their fault, and I'm sure it's no fun for them to deal with a (justifiably) frustrated and displeased customer. The issue here is Apple policy and lack of training from the top.

Wow v interesting... thanks for link on the lawsuit bdreams123 (posting as behind paywall)

"The buyers claim in their lawsuit that the display on the M1 MacBook often cracks, ruining the LCD screen with large black blotches. This is caused by what the they call a "clearance defect."

Both the aluminum frame that holds the display and the screen's glass are thinner than previous MacBook models, according to the complaint. This means that more flex and torque pressure are transferred from the frame to the screen, making it more likely to crack when opening or shutting the laptop, the suit said, citing expert witness David Niebuhr, who has a doctorate in engineering and runs his own firm.

This analysis by Niebuhr "coupled with the alleged widespread occurrence of display issues" sufficiently alleges the existence of a defect, the judge said."

Let's hope it results in something like this:

https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/4/23538548/macbook-class-action-lawsuit-claims-faulty-butterfly-keyboard

Well, I got a free repair because I argued that I just bought the laptop October 2023 and it is still under one year warranty. I called apple Singapore because I am based in Indonesia and Indonesian store wanted to charged me $750 and I was suggested to call apple Singapore with the number they provided. After arguing via phone the guy asked all proof and told me to bring it to Jakarta service center. I guess they liaised, so I got free repair and service. That was my experience and I succeeded.

You still have one year warranty. Like mine, I just told them that it is factory defect and showing them this discussion. I got mine repaired for free so you should defend that you deserve to get it repaired for free under warranty. Go to other Apple store and tell them it wasn’t an accident but factory defect. Try to speak to manager and explain.

I got the same issue with my 16 inch M2 2023 MBP, i took care of it, i only got it for about 8 months, got a padded sleeve and put it in double padded laptop bag, however, while i’m using it i noticed that the lower part of the screen is blinking, vertical lines is starting to show on the left side, there is a small black portion on the bottom left, after few hours of use, the screen blacked-out. I brought it to the authorized apple repair center, the tech told me that it was cause by a physical external damage, but they can’t really explain how did it happen. honestly, i felt i got scammed caused there is no way that i dropped it or break it, i’m yielding more on the fact that there is a factory defect on it. I phoned apple and they told me that there is no engineering program posted yet so they have to treat the incident to be accidental damage, I still need to pay the service fee and wait until they fixed my laptop. I’am really dissapointed. I’m posting this incident cause i’m hoping that everyone should report any similar incident so apple can post an engineering program(similar to a recall) to help us resolve the issue. thank you everyone and have a nice day!

I went to the apple store yesterday with the same reason. Macbook Pro 14inch M3 (bought in December 2023, four month old). I was forced to pay Apple store $760 to repair it ("Forced" means there were multiple Apple store guys kept telling me the crack cannot happen out of blue but must be my bad handling. I can surely attest that there was no impact or hard press on the display, but the crack was just made by itself. I argued that this is definitely the quality control issue but Apple store guys blamed me I probably put pencil or coin in between the display and keyboard and closed it hard. They even mentioned we have probably lifted up the Macbook Pro with two fingers by holding an edge of the display. I have read some users said the same type of crack happened again even after replacing it with a new one by Apple with paying +$700.