MBP retina 15" 2012 model Thunderbolt connector loose

I was having this same problem with the Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter. Super frustrating, since Firewire devices don't like to be plugged back in while the computer is still turned on.

The solution that worked for me involves reenforcing the connection by using both plugs. If you have any other Thunderbolt/MiniDisplayPort adapters/devices lying around, try tightly taping two connectors together, with some folded paper forming a spacer in between.

It's not very pretty, but it works well and I havn't had any more problems with loose connections ever since, even when moving the laptop around on the desk.

Its a bit annoying that i have to do this to a $3000 machine. After having such a great experience with my last MBP (5yrs of solid use and no problems) the Retina Display has been a really disappoint experience. It seems to just be one problem after the next.

Just ordered your product. Hoping it works for a brand new 13" MacBook Pro Retina.

How absolutely annoying that we even have to waste time making up for Apple's oversight! I'm taking my $4,000 Macbook Pro Retina in to the Apple Store. We'll see how far I get.

I have somewhat related problems with one of my Thunderbolt ports. If anyone could give me some feedback, it would be greatly appreciated.

One of the metal plates of the port got, somehow, dislocated. So, when I plugged my monitor, it was squeezed and bent. This prevents the monitor cable from plugging properly. I managed to bring the plate back into shape (see pic). Still the metal plate dangles.

I brought the MBP (late 2013) to the genius bar and they asked me for a 500EUR ($650) repair - apparently to replace the whole GPU. Knowing that I hadn't misused the port, I insisted this was caused by a manufacturing defect so they eventualy gave me a 50% discount on the repair and a week to coordinate with the people who will pay the bill. The MBP is only 10 months old and has an Apple Care Protection Pack.

During the discussion of the issue, they implied that plugging/unplugging 2x per day was somehow eavy use (?). Of course, they also tried to present minor scratches on the chasis around the port as proof of misuse. To add insult to injury, while checking the port in the backroom they apparently forced a connector in the port bending again the metal plate out of shape. Overall, sub par service. My first visit to a genius bar and I'm deeply dissapointed.

Any suggestions on how to proceed? Shall I make calls and complain about the way this was handled by the genius bar?

The genius bar also offered to escalate the issue to engineering. I didn't take the option for now, as I don't know what to expect from this. I'm also afraid they will have to withold the computer for a long period - which I can't afford. Any experience on how the escalation works and what outcome can one expect from it?

Does anybody know if this metal plate has any other function except from holding the plug in place?

Thanks!

I'm using MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), and I have exactly this same issue. All my Thunderbolt peripherals lose connection if I slightly move the computer or the wire. This is really bad if I try to use FW800 hard disks via the adapter because this can potentially corrupt data.

Out of curiosity as suggested by some in this forum I tried actually resetting the NVRAM but it didn't solve the problem. In my case, this appears to be purely mechanical problem.

I'm still under warranty so I could try to take my Macbook to the Apple Store here in Japan and see where it takes me, or I could try to live with this.

Would the situation be that all Macbook Pro Retinas are just built this way with loose Thunderbolt connectors? Or is my computer somehow unique case?

It can't hurt to ask so I will definably try. It might be that in future I will be depending on this if I connect displays and other hardware.

What would you recommend?

Hi yaschan,

I have the same problem and it's very frustrating. It's definitely mechanical and I wish Apple would have had better quality control when it came to these ports. They certainly did a poor job in this regard. My ports are all loose. I took my MacBook Pro Retina (late 2012) to the Apple Store and the peripherals fit loosely. The other MacBooks did not have the same problem, so I know that it's due to poor or no inspection of mechanical tolerences during or after manufacturing. At this point, though,I just don't feel like having them swap out my main board. Who knows what other problems, electrical or otherwise, could result. My MacBook is still under warranty until June 2015. I'm still debating.

Good luck!!

This was the rather un-elegant solution I opted for.....

I still find it rather annoying that we have to do this on such expensive, supposedly well designed, machines.

https://www.shapeways.com/model/1723397/macbook-pro-dock-cable-2x-thunderbolt-ma gsafe.html?materialId=7

Wow! Thanks for the tip,Seychellian! I think I'll follow suit.

I agree! I paid almost $4k for my MacBook Pro and would expect this issue to be non-existent.

Thank you for reply. I also tested this on my 2011 13" Macbook Pro with Thunderbolt 1. The connector felt much more firm and reliable and there was no issue whatsoever. I wrote this blog post describing my problem.

Yes I agree with you. However, this solution might also protect the connectors from external stress? It can't hurt. This whole issue raises a question about durability of the ports themselves. Since the connectors are that loose and allow movement, wouldn't that stress transfer directly to the logic board? I am going to handle mine super gently from now.

I have same issue.

I brought the MBP (late 2013) to the genius bar and they asked me for a 500EUR ($650) repair - apparently to replace the whole GPU. Knowing that I hadn't misused the port, I insisted this was caused by a manufacturing defect so they eventualy gave me a 50% discount on the repair and a week to coordinate with the people who will pay the bill. The MBP is only 10 months old and has an Apple Care Protection Pack.

Oh man, this is totally unfair. Not only you have paid for Apple Care but also you are still in the limited 12 months warranty. There's no way they can force you to pay for the fix. Unless there is water damage or physical damage of dropping the machine or something like that, there's no way this can be anything but manufacturing error.

During the discussion of the issue, they implied that plugging/unplugging 2x per day was somehow eavy use (?). Of course, they also tried to present minor scratches on the chasis around the port as proof of misuse. To add insult to injury, while checking the port in the backroom they apparently forced a connector in the port bending again the metal plate out of shape. Overall, sub par service. My first visit to a genius bar and I'm deeply dissapointed.

Unbelievable. And even if it's heavy use then so what? Minor scratches on external chassis are normal use. Moreover if they damage the port, then they owe you a new Macbook Pro. It's that simple. This is totally unacceptable.

Absolutely, demand a new Macbook Pro. You are a paying customer who enjoys all benefits of Apple Care. You might also want to start over and go to another Apple Store if the service is this horrible in yours. I wish you good luck.

Hi Yaschan,

After inspecting the ports on a couple more of MBPs, I'd say that there were visible differences in the alignment of the ports with the chasis. Which means that with regular use of, problems may arise because of assembly imperfections. Probably the only reason we haven't seen a "Thunderbolt-gate" is that most people use the ports only occassionally.

I happen to have a handful of Apple Stores and authorized resellers in close distance. After my first post, I first visited an authorized reseller who said that the same things you mentioned: if there's no water or heavy physical damage, the problem should be fixed within warranty. However, their repair time was 2-4 weeks.

After that, I took the chances and visited a second Apple Store. There the employees were much friendlier and promply offered to fix the problem within warranty. Yay!

Based on my experience, here are some suggestions:

• Try to figure-out a routine that reproduces your problem. This would help you substantiate a repair claim.
• Stress that you have already lost some work because of the problem.
• Point to the problem, not its cause. Pointing to the cause may be perceived as being apologetic/responsible for the damage. (I believe that's what might have happened in my first visit to Apple Store.)
• Work your way around uncooperative/judgemental employees.
  • Try visiting a different Apple Store or the same store at a different time.
  • The moment you feel that you won't get any help from the genious you are talking with, ask to talk with his/her manager.
  • Switch to the manger without going into an argument with the genious. This will make it easier for the manager to help you, without showing that he doesn't trust the judgement of his genious.
• As a last-resort, try to get some sort of a "no-problem" repair sheet. This would serve as a proof that you had timely reported the problem, in case it gets worse after the end of your warranty.

Good luck!

This is a nice design BUT ...

... I would rather have it designed for just the (2) TB ports and not the power port.

Reason being, is that I connect / disconnect the TB cables far more often than I do the power port.

Here's what I did to fix / resolve my TB ports looseness issue:

I called the Apple 800 support number and they setup an appointment for me to take in my 2012 15" Retina MBP for this issue.

I took it in, the so-called genius tech confirmed it there on the spot and stated that they were going to replace the motherboard. A few days later, I went to go pick it up. I tested the ports with my cables and Lacie Rugged SSD drive and it was still disconnecting / loose as before.

I told the genius that it's still the same. At first, the genius told me that's normal there should be some looseness to it. When I told him that I tested a MBA and 2014 15" Retina MBP right there in the store that didn't disconnect or was as loose as mine ... well, let's just say that genius got real quiet and proceeded to setup another repair order.

But another genius came out and wanted to test it again to make sure. (I was getting a bit perturbed by them not believing that what I was stating to them ... to say the least.) So I told that genius ... do what you gotta do. After the test ... they setup another repair order.

So this second go round, they not only replaced the motherboard but also the top case, keyboard, etc...

I went in to pick up my computer and tested it again there in the store. This time it was a tighter / snugger fit on both TB ports ... than before ... and didn't disconnect my SSD drive. Still not as snug as I would like it to be but I'll just wait until TB3 comes out as it's stated that it will have a new connector which will hopefully be a lot more snug.

I also tested my USB, Headphone and HDMI ports ... just in case ... and they were all fine too.

I have AppleCare ... thank goodness and I'll never buy another Apple product without the Apple Care Warranty.

Just can't trust Apple quality anymore. Case and point:

- LCD Screen Burn (replaced with Samsung panel)

- Keyboard keys sticking (replaced)

- TB ports (Motherboard and case cover / keyboard replaced)

So I hope all of you have some (good) luck with your scenarios. I'm not bashing Apple by any means here; just stating facts as I am looking forward to their next gen Mac Pro.