Insect inside my LCD screen

A tiny insect has crawled in between the LCD panel and the backlight of my 27" iMac and died. Close inspection reveals that it is behind the LCD characters. I called Apple support, and they were sympathetic, but said I had to go to the local store. The local store told me it was not their fault I had a bug in my iMac, and in fact, this "infestation" (his words) would probably void the warranty on my 6 month old iMac.

My iMac sits on the desk in my office. My office is not "infested" with bugs. But Apple's LCD screen is not sufficiently sealed to dust and other contaminants so it will prevent a tiny insect from being attracted to the light and crawling inside of it. I am very disappointed in their response.

Does anyone know if there is any recourse to the local Apple store? The woman at MY-APPLE assumed it would be a warranty repair. It seems to me that the LCD component should be sufficiently sealed to prevent bugs from crawling into it. And I live in Southern California, not Northern Michigan.

Does anyone know if I am likely to be able to disassemble the screen and clean it myself?

See for yourself. The bug is next to 14 point Arial in TextEdit:

www.bmumford.com/tmp/Bug.jpg

Posted on Jul 24, 2014 3:30 PM

59 replies

Jul 28, 2014 10:10 AM in response to Jackdunstan

1-800-MY-APPLE said it would be warranty, subject to confirmation by the local store.

The local store said the "infestation" was my problem and might void my warranty.

A local repairman said it would have to go through the local store, but the new LCD screens with LED backlight are a "sealed unit", and he would not be able to vacuum or blow an insect out from between the screen layers.

if Apple sealed it to prevent contamination, it seems like the existence of a tiny winged insect indicates either a fault in the seal or an insect egg inside the screen at the time of manufacture.

Mr_Rossy

Level 1

9 points

Jul 30, 2014 2:20 AM in response to Bryan Mumford

Snap, my 2013 27" has 2 or 3 of these pesky little bugs in the screen. My brother thought that it might in fact be the sealer from the screen edge flaking and falling between the panel and glass. 1 mark definitely looks like a bug but the other 1 could very we'll be a flake of sealer.

I'm obviously screwed as I'm out of warranty and my apple store is a fair distance from my home. Being a typical Apple dependent fanboy like most I'd like to take it back and get it fixed to satisfactory condition but have my doubts about packing up the machine and driving the distance to the shop, waiting in a long queue for repair / referral or the inevitable fob off....

Let me know how you get on with Apple.

Matt

Jul 30, 2014 7:14 AM in response to Mr_Rossy

Could you send me a picture of your bug? You need to use a camera with closeup lens, held carefully to focus closely on the bug. An iPhone might do, but we'll need a sharp picture. It seems possible that the screens were contaminated during manufacture. If the bugs are the same type, it's a good argument that it's a manufacturing problem.

If you can email an image to me, I will publish them on a website so we can compare. You can use the email address "bugs-at-bmumford.com"

Here's my picture:

www.bmumford.com/tmp/Bug.jpg

ukhattie

Level 1

0 points

Aug 22, 2014 5:37 AM in response to Bryan Mumford

I've also got a small insect in the screen of my late 2013 27" iMac ... I first spotted it a couple of days ago and was very depressed about it. Then I got excited this morning when I thought it had gone, but I see now that it's just moved so it's obviously still alive for now. I agree it must be Apple's fault because either (a) the set up isn't sufficiently sealed or (b) it is and the insect or egg was in there from the get go. I would be very offended at the suggestion that I have any sort of "infestation" in my office.

fredlk

Level 1

0 points

Aug 22, 2014 6:11 AM in response to ukhattie

I now have 4 dead bugs in the display of my late 2013 27" iMac.

I was depressed after the 1st, but now I'm just mad. They're always in my line of sight.

I wish there was a way I could remove and clean the display as there was with the previous model.

Aug 22, 2014 10:06 AM in response to ukhattie

ukhattie-

If you can email an image to me, I will publish them on a website so we can compare. You can use the email address "bugs-at-bmumford.com"

Apr 18, 2015 9:28 AM in response to Bryan Mumford

I am facing the same issue... I notice an insect inside the screen of my MacBook Pro (late 2013 version). Seems like that batch of Macbook pro is facing this issue so I suspect it might be infested at point of assembly. So worried that I might see more insects. What should I do? So did anyone manage to get Apple to service their MacBook pro due to this issue?

Apr 18, 2015 10:04 AM in response to Suspended4th

Can you send me a picture of your bug? You need to use a camera with closeup lens, held carefully to focus closely on the bug. An iPhone might do, but we'll need a sharp picture. It seems possible that the screens were contaminated during manufacture. If the bugs are the same type, it's a good argument that it's a manufacturing problem.

If you can email an image to me, I will publish them on a website so we can compare. You can use the email address "bugs-at-bmumford.com"

K Shaffer

Level 8

35,980 points

Apr 18, 2015 12:30 PM in response to Bryan Mumford

An insect expert with microscope or macro image technologies could match up the

insects with their general natural habitat and see if they are of the same type, also

where they originated. Also, if these are of the type of insect that gains territory due

to human influence, they could have been almost anywhere for a time, back when

the product was manufactured, or stored in warehouse locations. Perhaps after the

point of manufacture if the housing is not air-tight; certain electronics require venting

and those openings could allow somebody very small to enter & set up housekeeping.

Good luck in your quest!🙂

K Shaffer

Level 8

35,980 points

Apr 18, 2015 12:57 PM in response to Csound1

If my dad were still in this part (or that part) of the country, he could identify most

any of them correctly, including what they usually eat, where they naturally would

prefer to set up camp, and if they use night-lights when there's no LEDs present.

And he still uses Macs at age 90, in his work even though 'retired' from a few professions 😝

DCJ1

Level 1

59 points

May 14, 2015 4:39 PM in response to Suspended4th

Here are a couple of pictures of my bug that looks like a small lobster under the glass of the 27" Late 2013 iMac that I purchased five months ago with AppleCare:

Here is a picture taken with an iPhone 6 with a Magnifier app:

http://cl.ly/image/092c1E2x110V

Here is a screenshot of my iMac. The bug is just above the cursor (hand) on the left side of the display:

http://cl.ly/image/0U0z0S361l2Y

DCJ1

Level 1

59 points

May 14, 2015 4:55 PM in response to Bryan Mumford

Thanks for the information, Bryan. It looks as though I will call AppleCare, stop by the nearest Apple store genius bar to ask for help, if there is a problem getting this taken care of, I will escalate the matter to the attention of the store manager, and to Tim Cook.

I do not know exactly when these steps will be taken. But, when they are, I will post the results.

DCJ1

Level 1

59 points

May 15, 2015 2:33 PM in response to Bryan Mumford

I booted up my iMac, and the bug is no longer visible.

Hopefully, it will be out of sight for the remainder of my iMac ownership.

That's one way to avoid a confrontation with AppleCare, the genius bar, the Apple store's general manager, and Tim Cook. Fortunately, for them, the issue appears to have been resolved.

K Shaffer

Level 8

35,980 points

Jun 19, 2015 11:09 AM in response to Csound1

Perhaps a homeowner insurance may suggest a whole-house fumigation as part of remediation?

And maybe send a few tiny droids into the iMac, to set those tiny sticky-bait traps to catch any

straggler bugs inside the computer, like a trap-line in the olden days. Then wait to see if they

increase the premiums on homeowner policy, if one were in place...! 🙂

Jun 25, 2015 6:53 PM in response to Bryan Mumford

Add me to the list.

Just found my first bug/tiny fly and of course it'd have to be right in the middle of the screen. I too can put my cursor over it which tells me it's not under the glass but inside the panel.

Why am I not suprised to hear of this issue with Macs?...because I've had nothing but issues with my Mac!

Had to replace the screen already as it failed within a 4-5 months after purchase. The hinge that holds the monitor in place broke a few months after that and now this...on a device that is less than 2 years old. And don't get me started on the issues I've had with my MacBook!

I just fail to see why so many people feel that Mac is superior to PC. In my personal experience, Macs are nothing but overpriced junk and if I didn't need one for development purposes, I'd never buy another!

Extremely disappointed with the quality of Mac products!

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Insect inside my LCD screen