Level 1

86 points

2011 Macbook Pro Logic Board Failure

I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro running 10.10.2. I have not had many issues with the computer since I have purchased it except the occasional blue/gray screen issue. While I would be using the computer as normal, the screen would randomly go blue or gray and I would have to force shut down the computer. However, after a force shut down and a reboot, this would usually solve the problem.

A few months back, this issue occurred again and the usual force shut down and reboot did not work this time. I ended up looking up some troubling shooting techniques online and ended up resetting the SMC and it seemed to do the trick. Now this is where my problem occurs. About a week ago, I was using the computer as normal, and the same issue happened. Again, this time the force shut down and reboot did not work. So I tried the SMC reset again but this time it did not solve the problem. So again, I went online for some trouble shooting techniques to see if I could solve this issue on my own. I had no luck this time around. I decided it was best to contact apple to see if this issue could be better assisted by them. I ended up spending multiple hours online with phone representatives working through various troubleshooting techniques (most of which I had already tried on my own) and could not get the computer to boot normally. It would simply boot into a gray screen with a apple logo with a loading bar beneath it, and then would slowly load until about half way, and then the screen would just go to the gray screen of death.

After many hours, they decided it was best to take it into an apple store to have them diagnose the problem. I scheduled an appointment at my near by apple store the following day and had them review my Macbook. After a few hardware tests, they determined that the problem was a logic board failure. They then proceeded to tell me that because my Macbook is early 2011, it is now considered 'vintage' and they are not able to work on such a computer. They then gave me Apple certified repair centers that were in my area to contact to repair this issue.

I ended up calling the repair centers that night to see how much this repair was going to cost and how long the process would take. After speaking with the repair centers, and explaining my issue, all of the conversations ended at the same point. I stated that I had a early 2011 Macbook Pro logic board failure and I would need to get it replaced and installed. Each and every single repair center stated that they are unable to perform this for two reasons. 1) It was a known issue that early 2011 Macbook Pro logic boards were faulty and 2) They do not make a practice of carrying or installing faulty parts.

Now this is where I began to get confused so I did some research online and came across this

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=13395&tstart=0

and this

https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

I began to release that this problem occurred because Apple manufactured faulty logic boards, knew about it, and created an extended repair programme for this specific issue. Now you would think that this works out well, a repair programme extended for this specific issue, so whats the problem? This programme expired 12/31/2016. That's right, just a month after my laptop decided to break down.

I am writing this post because I have read through the other post and noticed that there are many others just like me that are experiencing the same issue just a month after the programme has ended. We should not be out of a laptop that we spent good money for expecting a premium product, just because our laptops decided to last just a bit longer than what Apple deemed was necessary for this problem. I made sure to keep this product in pristine condition throughout its life to make sure that I would get the most out of this product and it has, except for the one piece of hardware that Apple created faulty. Apple, you need to fix this issue, as myself and many others included are having this problem, and its not going away. Anyone else that is having this problem, please post and let me know if you were able to get this problem solved. In this day in age, it is very hard to be without a computer and this is a very long and frustrating process to go through in order to get my working computer back.

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), null

Posted on Feb 27, 2017 2:37 PM

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

141,235 points

Posted on Oct 27, 2017 9:37 AM

Install gfxCardStatus (https://gfx.io) and set it to "i" (integrated graphics only). It will allow your MBP to run on integrated graphics only, bypassing the discrete GPU which has the issues. This may allow your MBP to run normally, although it will have reduced graphics performance when permforming demanding graphics tasks. The alternative is replacing the logic board, which is not cost effective on a machine that old, unless gfx does not resolve the issue and you really want to keep this MBP.

There is an acknowledged bug in the current version of Cody Kreiger's Open-Source gfxcardstatus, and the developer has confessed he does not have time to fix it right now.

There is a fork off the main build by steveschow available that seems to fix that problem for current versions of MacOS such as ElCapitan and Sierra. He provides a finished .app for direct download -- you do not have to compile anything.

https://github.com/steveschow/gfxCardStatus/releases

Also note that if your Mac does not run long enough to allow gfxcardstatus to be added, this is not really practical.

In addition, Steve Schow writes that he has abandoned further development -- because there are better solutions available [for both the 2010 model and 2011 models]. In particular, the use of ArchLinux bootable CD to gain access to and re-write the EFI on the drive, and permanently disable the discrete graphics chip. This page and scroll down past the list to the blog:

Releases · steveschow/gfxCardStatus · GitHub

there are two similar procedure listed. I used the second from MacRumors as it seemed easier. I have made the Arch Linux bootable CD on another Mac, and tried this approach. I now have a perfectly-functioning MacBook Pro late 2011 15-in model with Discrete Graphics disabled. Runs just fine.

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377 replies

Jun 11, 2018 9:58 AM in response to ThomasD3

Thomas I agree, this thread is very helpful to me, because at first I wasn't even sure what to search for to describe my problem, as I had no idea what could be wrong, and found relief when I found out what the deal was and many users were in the same boat. And yes, the apple repairs were a known, doomed to failure repair.

As far as Apple reliability goes, NOBODY believed in them more than, me for decades. That's what made this development so shocking. Again, on this machine, only.

Also, has anyone else noticed that sometimes, after several restarts, and pram zaps the rig comes back, trouble-free, for a while? What's the deal with that? Any tips?

Jun 18, 2018 8:38 PM in response to randyfrompalmer

Hi Randy, please keep this thread up to date with the story of your repair as it develops. I, for one, will be waiting to hear how it goes. I have swapped the logic board several times, and also was told that a reliable chipset was impossible to find. Repairs and board swaps can last for a while, some for only a few hours, the longest mine lasted was two years before i swapped it out again, but they are a ticking time bomb. And yes, you're right - the main point of this thread is not that anyone here expects apple to do anything to help, but that, like you said, the trust in the 'they just work' mindset was broken, permanently.

colofj

Level 1

4 points

Jun 24, 2018 6:57 AM in response to Arepoli

Hi, I am as frustrated as you are! In January 2016 my logic board went bad and Apple replaced it with another logic board free, (turned out it was the same one they had problems with!). My MacBook Pro 15 inch operated fine until March of 2018, approximately two years later.

Since, I have spent hours on the phone with Apple support with no success in getting my computer to function normally. We tried every type of approach they claim to possibly work. No success!

I wrote a personal letter to the CEO of Apple and sent it registered mail on May 15, 2018 and as yet haven't received any reply! It's now June 23, 2018! That's over a month from when my registered letter was sent! Sad! No reply!

Apple keeps telling me my computer is vintage and parts were no longer available. They gave me the name of an Apple authorized service in Atlanta, Ga. After calling them, they also said they could not repair my computer since it was vintage! They gave me an unauthorized repair place and they too could not guarantee a repair was possible.

Finally, I went back to Apple Support/complaints and spoke to a woman who said she would look into my case. She gave me her direct phone number and said she would be back to me in a couple of days. She did. She told me the best Apple could do is give me a $100 credit to use with most Apple products but I would have to spend a minimum of $300 dollars! Imagine that!

I am terribly frustrated with Apple and their lack of caring for their customers, especially when the fault lies with them for manufacturing faulty computers, knowing the problem and selling them without concern for their customer base, especially those of us who have been customers for years and spent thousands of dollars in purchases of the various products. I

f anyone found a way to fix this, please please let me know! We need to wake Apple up and realize their customer base will erode in due to if they don't provide the fixes to a problem they themselves created.

Jul 4, 2018 11:45 AM in response to randyfrompalmer

UGHHHHH!

As I was saying...

Took me a minute to stop laughing at your final line, very funny! I was notified yesterday by TekDepo my MBP 17” repair is complete, payment was made & I am awaiting it’s arrival. I additionally ordered a 1TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD from Amazon and had it shipped directly to TekDepo for a OS Sierra install (seemed like the right time to upgrade) to complement the overhaul. I will post results once I have them.

**Hopefully all in one post next time lol

Jul 18, 2018 8:08 AM in response to randyfrompalmer

Has any one tried an external GPU source? They have them with thunderbolt connections. This would provide a way to use your MacBook Pro with an external monitor in theory.

May even work with built in screen. You just would not be mobile.

These have their power supply built in to the box.

Sorry for replying to you Randy on an unrelated subject.

Dec 4, 2018 5:23 AM in response to Arepoli

Equally dissatisfied. I decided on a fair bit of future proofing when I purchased my macb Pro in late 2011 at considerable expense. I’ve paid the price for looking after it though because the the video card/logic board issue has only just occurred and find myself reading about a repair program that‘s already ended. I used to be a real fan of apple but this and other issues of late are fast changing my opinion.

Dec 4, 2018 5:58 AM in response to ShinyShoes

Exactly that was my thing as well. I got my logic board replaced in 2016 and it failed again, I have spent another 900 on ram, & 1 tb hard disk back in 2014. Original board lasted 5 years and replaced one failed in exactly 2 years. Now this junk company want us to spend another 2500 and buy a new one so that they can be rich. I am never going back and buying this brand.

Sep 23, 2017 11:42 AM in response to Arepoli

By the way here is a video about reballing that one of the posters should watch. Reballing flip chip GPUs is ******** - the truth about dead laptop GPUs & repairing them. - YouTube

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Dec 14, 2017 7:54 AM in response to ThomasD3

You can always file suit and see if the court agrees with you.

ThomasD3

Level 1

46 points

May 19, 2018 1:26 AM in response to vaughnfromontario

And now, for $600 you have a refurbished motherboard with the same faulty design and random lifespan... welcome to the club.

Aug 4, 2017 12:42 PM in response to drimbro

Outside the US, the MacBook Pro 2011 models are so old they are considered Obsolete. In the US, they are vintage, soon to be obsolete.

Vintage and obsolete products

Owners of iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Mac products may obtain service and parts from Apple or Apple service providers for 5 years after the product is no longer manufactured—or longer where required by law. Apple has discontinued support for certain technologically obsolete and vintage products.

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2011)

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011)

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2011)

from:

Vintage and obsolete products - Apple Support

I am sorry you did not get as much benefit as you think you deserve from any recall programs that were in effect.

Electronic and mechanical things do not last forever. They break.

Now I strongly recommend you get over it and move on.

Sep 7, 2017 2:07 PM in response to Arepoli

Hi mine has just failed and called apple to be told the same thing. Devastated and angry.

I will also add that I had a Samsung American fridge 8 years old and the fridge went faulty. I called Samsung to get a number for a recommended engineer knowing I will pay for the bill. Samsung took some details and told me they would repair it for FREE. Next day repaired. That's customer service.

This laptop cost me £3,000 6 years ago I now know that I could have purchased a decent windows laptop each year.

Apple is not what it use to be.

When a car manufacturer knows of a fault they do a recall and replace. I was never notified of this issue if I had I would of demanded a replacement.

Thinking of moving away from Apple £££££££££

Sep 7, 2017 2:17 PM in response to TerryT2011

TerryT2011 wrote:
<snip>

Thinking of moving away from Apple £££££££££

Good luck with your new Windows PC. Let us know how long your Windows PC manufacturer will replace a failed motherboard for free. I don't know of any cases where they have replaced a motherboard for free after 6 years of use.

Sep 7, 2017 2:28 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

Sorry two points you have missed. Let me summarise them for you.

1. Apple sold a premium product with a known fault. If they had made it clear I would never have bought one.

2. My windows pc will cost no where near what I paid for a laptop and I wouldn't care if it died after 6 years. Btw I have a windows pc and it has been running fine for 14 years and cost me £1200.

Sep 7, 2017 2:49 PM in response to TerryT2011

TerryT2011 wrote:

Sorry two points you have missed. Let me summarise them for you.

1. Apple sold a premium product with a known fault. If they had made it clear I would never have bought one.

2. My windows pc will cost no where near what I paid for a laptop and I wouldn't care if it died after 6 years. Btw I have a windows pc and it has been running fine for 14 years and cost me £1200.

Sorry three points you have missed.

1. I was wishing you good luck with your new PC

2. I was asking you which PC manufacturer you contacted that offers free motherboard replacement after 6 years use.

3. I was commenting on my not knowing of any PC manufacturer who has replaced a motherboard free after 6 years use and was asking for your feedback regarding your knowledge of such a manufacturer.

I also picked up on the fact that you bought a "premium" computer. I assume you will not be buying a "premium" PC when you say you could replace the PC each year for the same price as your Apple computer. Check the prices of "premium" PCs. I'm sure there are many Apple computers still running after years of service just there are many PCs running after years of service. By the same token, I'm sure many PCs die after 6 or fewer years service. Longevity depends on many variables such as operating environment, handling, abuse, hours, etc.

Once again, I wish you luck with your new PC and I hope it works as long as you think it should.

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2011 Macbook Pro Logic Board Failure