Macbook pro Retina late 2013 strange display issue

Question

Level 1

12 points

Macbook pro Retina late 2013 strange display issue

Hi.

I have started having this strange issue with my Macbook Pro retina 13 inch Late 2013 model. A couple of weeks back, I booted it only to find a black screen (not grey), the keyboard seemed to lit up meaning it was booting without any display. I tried booting a couple of times again and display came back. Phew !!

A few days later, the same happened, this time the display refused to come back after half a dozen restarts. Display to external device (TV via HDMI) was working fine, and the system was booting, functioning normally. I reset SMC, then PRAM but no joy. I tried apple hardware test/diagnostics and it gave me following two error codes:

VFD001

VFD004

meaning "There may be an issue with the display."

My notebook is unfortunately out of warranty so no option for apple support. There is no official apple store where I am. I had it briefly checked from an apple authorized service and they said its display unit needs to be replaced. I took my machine back but the same night, the display seemed to woke-up from the dead - as if it never had an issue. Used it for a full day (even upgraded to EL Capitan!), ran Apple diagnostics, and no issues found !!! (reference code:ADP000). I was relieved until it gave up again. The screen seemed to freeze while I was working on a document and when I rebooted, the old behaviour came back ! i.e., no display on LCD but displays fine on external device. Since then, its very unpredictable. 1 out of 20 times when I open the lid (reboot/start), the display shows up on its own display, rest of the times, just pitch black screen.

I am puzzled what do I do in this situation. Do I need to get a new display now ?

Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and Regards,

Arslan

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Oct 4, 2015 3:56 AM

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Answer 1

YMLOH

Level 1

4 points

Jan 20, 2017 9:24 PM in response to arslan77

V

FD002 on mine manage self healing

can connect to hdmi via safe mode

However I accidenly fix it by overheat the machine

Since reset nvram so when I close the lid it do not shutdown it stay in my backpack for 2 hour without ventilation and the LCD when back and functioning

I manage to repeat the same fix twice

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Answer 2

guboer

Level 1

8 points

Jul 31, 2017 12:23 PM in response to arslan77

Now its my turn!!! VFD004 / VFD001.

I have a late 2013 retina 13" and now my MBP it's in the repair but until now I don't now the price to fix it....maybe next week. I don't want to pay the price above ( more than $300 or 400 ), it's too expensive.😟😟 By the way, Im from Brazil and ( probably ) I have to pay more 100% fees!

Hey Apple, where are you????

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Answer 3

Oct 6, 2015 7:17 PM in response to arslan77

Good evening Friend, do not speak English so sorry for writing.
I'm having the same problem on my mac , I already had a solution in your case can help me ?

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2013)

El Capitan

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Answer 4

arslan77 Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 6, 2015 1:01 AM in response to Eliezer Moura

Hi Elizer.

Unfortunately, I have not found a solution yet. I hope that this is a general issue with the Macbook pro retina 13 inch in 2013 models and apple issues a recall / replacement program for the effected customers. Please let me know if you come across a solution.

Thanks and Regards,

Arslan

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Answer 5

Oct 6, 2015 10:12 AM in response to arslan77

You haven’t got any other choice other than changing that display unit. It can roughly cost you around 750$ in States. If you are going for a flat depot repair, it can be much cheaper around 350$, where they will replace the display unit as well as any other encountered faulty part in your macbook.

Hope this helps.

- Granel.

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Answer 6

Oct 6, 2015 10:17 AM in response to arslan77

arslan77 wrote:

Hi Elizer.

Unfortunately, I have not found a solution yet. I hope that this is a general issue with the Macbook pro retina 13 inch in 2013 models and apple issues a recall / replacement program for the effected customers. Please let me know if you come across a solution.

Thanks and Regards,

Arslan

As far as I know, there wasn’t any widespread display issues for 13” RETINA late 2013 models. So, don’t expect a recall from Apple.

I have got 13” retina late 2013 and it works like a charm.

Probably, you were unfortunate with a faulty display unit...😟

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Answer 7

shabadel

Level 1

5 points

Oct 6, 2015 7:18 PM in response to arslan77

I actually have the same exact problem!!!

Screen is complete black - connect the macpro to an external display; works fine.

I checked if the cam works, and it does work fine, so I would rule out that it's a screen issue or a video card issue.

I have Late 2013 Retina Display model.

I took my mac pro to an apple store and a genius told me that they couldn't figure out what the issue is and it has to be shipped to a repair center for a total of $280 plus tax since my laptop is also out of warranty.

I was on a lengthy conversation today with one of the tech support at Apple whom was very understanding but did not offer any help other than "this quote was actually good for you.. "..

A screen of a premium product should not fail like this. That's not quality!!!😠😟

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Answer 8

shabadel

Level 1

5 points

Oct 6, 2015 5:25 PM in response to arslan77

I actually have the same exact problem!!!

Screen is complete black - connect the macpro to an external display; works fine.

I checked if the cam works, and it does work fine, so I would rule out that it's a screen issue or a video card issue.

I have Late 2013 Retina Display model.

I took my mac pro to an apple store and a genius told me that they couldn't figure out what the issue is and it has to be shipped to a repair center for a total of $280 plus tax since my laptop is also out of warranty.

I was on a lengthy conversation today with one of the tech support at Apple whom was very understanding but did not offer any help other than "this quote was actually good for you.. "..

A screen of a premium product should not fail like this. That's not quality!!!😠😟

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Answer 9

arslan77 Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 6, 2015 7:14 PM in response to shabadel

Hi Shabadel.

MY camera works too even when screen is black.

You are right...its such a disappointment to own a premium product and then left in cold in such a situation. Should have got aple care plan but then its was the thought "it just works" that prevented me too. Very disappointing 😟

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Answer 10

arslan77 Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 6, 2015 7:17 PM in response to Grane Duke

Grane.

Apple usually does not recognise the issue right away, no matter how wide spread it is. The few replacement programs the offered (including the one active now for video issues) came YEARS after the macbooks were sold.

Arslan

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Answer 11

shabadel

Level 1

5 points

Oct 13, 2015 12:06 PM in response to arslan77

How can we grab attention of apple to this problem?

😟

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Answer 12

shabadel

Level 1

5 points

Oct 29, 2015 7:03 AM in response to shabadel

😟

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Answer 13

zoom09

Level 1

0 points

Dec 4, 2015 7:02 PM in response to arslan77

I have same problem too. Though, now it seems work fine to me but when running hardware diagnosis, I have to same VFD004 / VFD003 issue. Should I replace the screen? Will it affect to other part in the machine? The machine has problem after warranty time 2 months. It's suck

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Answer 14

shabadel

Level 1

5 points

Dec 7, 2015 1:14 PM in response to zoom09

For me, I took it to the apple store and got the entire LCD screen replaced..they charged me a flat rate of $290.00 with tax.

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Answer 15

G267

Level 1

0 points

Mar 6, 2016 4:27 PM in response to arslan77

I had same issue. Would only boot in safe mode with external HDMI display. If your Mac is under warranty, I suggest taking to Apple Store if not then you can try this. open back cover and unplug display connector(Always unplug battery first). After connecting battery but not display, my Mac would boot in normal mode to an external display and everything worked fine. I proceeded to take the display off the Mac by disconnecting the 3 wifi antenna connections and camera connection. When I reconnected just the display and tested it, the Mac worked with the Retina display (not external display). I reconnected everything and Mac as back to normal....fixed. I am not positive but I think one of the wifi antenna connections was loose, or it was the camera connection not sure but my Mac is working again. Hope this helps.

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