"The logic board is broken" sounds like the end of your MacBook. Often it is not. The logic board is the large circuit board holding the chip, memory, storage and hundreds of small components. Often only one small part is faulty. This article explains how to tell your MacBook logic board is broken, the difference between repairing and replacing it, and what happens to your data.
Blue Apple repairs MacBook logic boards in Amsterdam, including at component level.
Signs of a logic board problem
- The MacBook will not turn on, even with a working charger. See MacBook will not turn on.
- It does not charge, while the charger and battery are fine.
- It keeps restarting or says the computer restarted because of a problem.
- No picture, not even on an external display.
- Ports, Wi-Fi or sound fail at the same time.
- It started after water damage or a drop.
Many of these symptoms can have other causes too. That is why measuring matters before you decide anything.
Repairing: component repair
In a component repair we use measuring equipment and a microscope to find which part on the logic board is faulty, for example a charging chip, a capacitor or a voltage regulator, and replace only that part. Advantages:
- Usually much cheaper than a new logic board.
- Your data is often kept, because the storage stays on the same board.
- Less waste.
Read more in component repair explained.
Replacing: another logic board
If the damage is too great, for example heavy corrosion or a faulty main chip, replacing the logic board is the only option. Note: on MacBooks with an Apple chip or T2 chip the storage is fixed on the logic board and encrypted. A new logic board then also means empty storage. Without a backup your data is gone.
Your data
- If you have a Time Machine or iCloud backup, you restore it after the repair.
- No backup? Then component repair is often the only way to reach your data, because the board has to work again.
See backing up.
Water damage
Liquid is one of the most common causes. The moisture itself is often not the problem, but the corrosion that follows. The sooner the MacBook is cleaned, the better the chance of recovery. See liquid spilled: what now.
What you can do before bringing it in
- Try another charger and cable, and another socket. That rules out the simplest causes.
- If the MacBook still half works, back up your most important files straight away.
- With liquid: turn it off, do not charge it and do not try to dry it with a hair dryer.
- Note what happened before the problem started; that helps the search.
Repair or another MacBook?
That depends on the age, what the repair costs and whether you need to save data. On a recent MacBook repair is almost always sensible. On a very old MacBook that no longer gets updates, another Mac may be more logical. See logic board repair costs.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
We measure the logic board, find the faulty part and tell you whether component repair is possible and what it costs, before we start. More on our page about MacBook logic board repair.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know for sure it is the logic board?
Only by measuring. A broken charger, battery or display cable can give the same symptoms.
Is component repair reliable?
Yes, when done properly. The faulty part is replaced with an equivalent part.
Can Apple repair the logic board?
Apple usually replaces the whole logic board. Specialised repairers do component repair.
