Q: Keyboard Backlight Flicker and Wifi-Drops on MacBook 13" Retina Late 2013

I got mine back from service about 2 weeks ago or so. They had replaced the keyboard (per Apple's instructions) and claimed the issue was solved and that Apple had been informed that this could also be a firmware issue. Well, when I got it back, despite their claim, it was not fixed. I had enough and left it back.

I was contacted by Apple a few hours later and they wanted the machine for internal testing and offered to replace it with a new one, however I don't know if they ever got it, since I had already left it back to my retailer. I did give them the contact details.

Due to mistake by the retailer, they had sent the machine I had returned back to service and about a week later I was contacted by the retailer to pick up the laptop from service (who had done nothing, claiming a firmware issue). I advised them the laptop no longer belongs to me... but it was interesting to see that on the second time around they no longer mindlessly swapped components in an attempt to fix it and simply stated firmware problem.

In general, it has taken Apple a long time to fix it or officially recognize the problem. It seems unfair to leave the customers waiting for confirmation if this is hardware or software problem as many are running out of time to return their possibly faulty hardware to the retailer (in case they don't want to enter the service cycle). Other thing that didn't really impress me was the fact that only the service didn't properly test the unit if their "fix" was working, it was also covered in fatty oily fingerprints when I got it back. Must be terrible effort to wipe the display before sending it back to the client....

Hi everybody,
I have a new MacBookPro late 2013 13" Retina Display

and it's already my 2nd Mac that I replace and
I still experience the same problem of keyboard backlight flickering.

The issue occur under these conditions:

- MacBook Pro is battery powered;
- keyboard backlight is set on low setting (1 to 8),
in reality the issue is also present at higher settings but it's more difficult to see.

The flickering of the backlight occurs regardless of the brightness of the screen and
if you set the ambient light sensor on or off,(ambient light sensor seems to functioning normally).

The problem occurs approximately every 8 seconds and
the backlight flickers with different intensities and durations.

PRAM and SMC reset did not work.

I've talked to Apple Support several times but they don't know how to help me.

I've got the same problem. Seems like every rMBP late 2013 has it. I's very annoying.

Maybe new betas solve this problem?

I have this issue as well. 13 day old MacBook Pro - Late 2013 (Model 11,1). Much more noticable on dimmer settings, but present all of the time when on battery power. Anyone have a solution yet? Should I let Apple know? I only have one day to exchange return but if it's a software issue then a replacement wouldn't help, correct?

I am having the exact same issue with my late 2013 macbook pro... Did you guys resolve this issue on your machines ?

Apple just ignores issues if they are not causing problems to their bottom line, like with Russian Phonetic keyboard on iOS devices. they have Russian Phonetic keyboard in the selection but it is exactly same keyboard as Regular Russian one. This design defect has been there for maybe 8 years already. Can't even call it a bug when it survives 3 major software versions.

At present I am in Russia but I bought the laptop in San Francisco. Wonder if they will do anything about it. They are paid for the work done and I wonder whether they can affect whatever decisions are made in Cupertino.

Maybe the new OS can offer a fix?

Did any of your computers end up having software/hardware failures after noticing this issue?