MBP retina 15" 2012 model Thunderbolt connector loose

Fixed! Try reseting the PRAM - it worked for me. The connectors still wobble but do not lose connectivity.

Thanks Darren26.

Can you describe the steps to reset the PRAM?

Wesley:

I have the same problem. My computer was replaced. It worked just a bit better during the first week but quickly degraded. It is obviously a design or manufacturing defect. I hope apple comes up with a kit to resolve this critical issue.

hflorez

See -> http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379.

Clinton

Thanks for sharing - gave this a crack by no luck. My Thunderbolt connector actually has burn marks around the edge, so definitely a hardware failure due to short circuits from a loose connector - rather than a firmware/software issue. The connector is totally dead now, which makes me think something has burnt out on the motherboard or the connector is fused dead. Woeful design fail Apple.. I've only used Apple official DVI and GigE adaptors in the failed Thunderbolt port. My remaining, still functioning port works but only if the GigE adaptor is dead straight and pushed in firmly. Move the MacBook slightly and it disconnects from the network. Very very frustrating, hopefully they rethink the design of the Thunderbolt socket in future products.

I can confirm that this issue can be resolved by resetting PRAM. Thanks DarrenR26 for the correct solution. Thanks clintonfrombirmingham for giving the link showing how to reset PRAM.

Although the thunderbolt seems loose, this issue is actually a software flaw. I called the apple care , asked them if this is a known issue, they didn't give me the right anwser, they just say that I should bring my macbook to them and they will examine it.

This should be an issue that apple have noticed, and their apple care service should give their customers the suggestion.

I second your comment ninjadude9 - resetting the NVRAM does NOT resolve this issue for me (I just tried it again for the **** of it). The scorched burn marks around my faulty thunderbolt connector are proof that this is a hardware issue and that something has definitely fried on the socket or logic board to make this connector inoperable. So the original complaint still stands that the thunderbolt connectors are poorly designed, loose and prone to poor connections, short circuiting and eventual failure.

I still haven't got around to putting mine in for service, but will report back the Apple service results when I have.

This issue has a mechanical component. The design of both Thunderbolt ports as well as both USB ports in this MacBookPro model is poor. The receptacles of these four ports do not offer sufficient grip to keep the connectors in place, when cables are subject to minor tension or slight motion, normally tolerated by other notebooks, including all other MacBookPro models I have tested.

The consequences of this defect can vary from simple data losses caused by disrupted communication between the computer and devices connected through any of these ports, to electric short caused by poor contact in the powered terminals. The risk of fire, although limited by the low voltage of the terminals, should not be ignored.

I have had numerous iterations with Apple about this issue. The technical group recognizes that the MacBookPro of this model are not working properly. However, they have no resources to fix the problem. They have replaced parts in one of my machines twice with no success. Even after replacing the MacBookPro with a brand new one, the issue remains unresolved.

Apple Customer Support has escalated the issue to Engineering. After several weeks of discussions with the Technical group and reviews of this thread and other customer complaints, they responded verbally (they have refused to respond in writing) indicating that the ports of the MacBookPro Retina display model are within specifications. Disappointedly, they have offered no proper alternative.

In my opinion, the issue is evident and Apple must address it. Because it affects more users of Thunderbolt devices and this connectivity technology is not widely used, the number of complaints may still be insufficient to grant a serious effort from Apple to address the issue. Obviously this situation is likely to change as Thunderbolt becomes more popular.

My recommendation to every MacBookPro owner experiencing this issue is to report it to Apple through the nearest Genius bench, bringing a copy of this thread and demanding a permanent fix.

In the meantime, have some electric or masking tape handy to keep your cables safely attached to your computer. Despite the Flintstonic look and the inconvenience, this solution is less painful than trying to convince Apple engineers that their product has a design defect.

Hopefully the next MacBookPro generation will have this issue addressed.

Good luck!

ninjadude9,

My macbook is early 2013 rmbp 15. I don't what PRAM and NVRAM means. I reset PRAM by power off and then press and hold the command, option, P and R keys.

I thought it didn't work at first. Then I power off and went to sleep. The 2nd day I found the problem is gone. It doesn't disconnect any more.

That what I did and seen. for you guys reference.

Finally, more people are at least talking about/acknowledging this issue…I literally bought a brand new late 2013 rMBP solely because I was hoping that this design flaw had been fixed. Nope—Still the exact same. I use a Thunderbolt Display, and I basically just repeatedly have my I/O board (a board on the left side of the rMBP which has all of the left-side ports, including Thunderbolt, on it) replaced by the Apple Store. I just have to wait until the issue becomes severe enough that I can be certain that it can be easily recreated in front of a genius bar employee.

I believe the issue is due to a combination of poor/loose port design, and heat expansion, where over time, heat and movement combine to loosen up something in the port. Every time, the issue just get worse, and worse, and worse, increasing in severity.

I just want to be able to use my Thunderbolt Display without feeling anxious. My setup would be so perfect if Thunderbolt actually worked. I've been dealing with this issue ever since the first retina Macbook Pro came out. When I end up bringing this one to the Apple Store to get fixed, I'll be sure to make it very clear how severe and consistent of an issue that this is. I may even show them this thread. I encourage anyone else to do the same.

I agree with your post that it is not a software issue when you have a loose connection. Tried it so many times to reset the things mentioned and it just does not work for me, The fact is the cables have a loose fitting and are able to be easily pulled out. I lost a hard drive due that as it always disconeted. just shifting the macbook a bit drops the connection. I lost 2 live broadcasts as the enthernet adaptor cam out slightly. If you all have a chance try to use an older mac my co worker has a 17 inch Early 2011 version and the same cables are sitting in snug and solid. on my live broadcasts i have to tape the connector with electrical tape so they do not move, now that looks nice and is a good advertisng for Mac all my Windows friend laugh about that that a US$3000 computer needs electrical tape to secure a cable. Apple really should look into that .

it is sad to say but my mac book has been a disapointment from the start ( I think i mentioned it already in an earlier post) from dead pixels on the screen to not working SD Card reader, mousepad is acting up and just a few days ago a black spot looking like dust appeard behind the screen and on the lower left i have another screen issue. and my mac is not even one year old , and it is sad to see that even with the newer models the same connecction issue is still there. I know some might say bring it in for repair, trust me if I could i would but my next Apple store is a few thousand miles away and if I would ship my mac book to them i would be out of a computer for more then 4 weeks which i can not afford.

anyway i am gettin sidetracked here. I think the main reason we are not getting more posts on that issue is that most users proable do not even use the connectros as thunderbold drives are not that cheap and most proable use the USB connectros which seem to work ok or say better then the thunderbold connection.

lets hope one of the apple guys see those posts and they can address that issue but is probabl to expensive to fix as the molds are proably done and would take a lot of money to change it.

Just tried this idea when I saw WSLWANG's post last night and I must say it resolved the issue I have for months! I did go to Genius bar for this problem but they wanted me to leave my MBP for 7 days which was impossible to me. Resetting PRAM doesn't work for me at all. People at Genius Bar looked at me weird when I brought this resetting PRAM idea up. They did explain to me the purpose of resetting PRAM but I am not a computer guy. It's like another forgien language to me.

I now understand the reason why "let it sit for 24 hours". The glue actually fall off when I was impatient

I don't mean to start a fight or something, but I don't feel any of his replay is bad-mannered. Just have to accept people tell you "dude, you are wrong". In fact, the idea that WSLWANG provide shows he is a real expert. That's my opinion.

Thanks again for the idea.

Akbar