Your MacBook screen no longer stays up and falls backwards, wobbles when you type, or the hinge creaks or sits crooked. A broken MacBook hinge seems a small problem, but the hinge also carries the screen's cables. So it is wise not to leave it too long. This article explains what may be wrong with the hinge, what not to do and how it is repaired.
Blue Apple repairs MacBook screens and hinges in Amsterdam.
How does a MacBook hinge work?
The screen is connected to the bottom half with two hinges. They are hidden behind a strip, the hinge cover. Through the hinge run the cables connecting the screen to the logic board: for the picture, the backlight, the camera and the antennas. The hinges have a fixed resistance, so the screen stays in any position.
Signs of a broken or worn hinge
- The screen sinks backwards by itself or does not stay upright.
- The screen wobbles when typing or with a small tap.
- The hinge creaks, clicks or feels uneven.
- The screen sits crooked relative to the bottom.
- The hinge cover is loose or cracked.
Causes
- A drop or a knock against the open screen.
- Lifting by the screen instead of the bottom.
- Opening too far or pushing the screen backwards.
- Wear after years of opening and closing every day.
What not to do
- Do not try to fix the hinge with glue or tape.
- Do not pull or pry at the hinge cover: the screen cables are behind it.
- Do not keep forcing it if the screen is crooked; the cables or glass can get damaged.
Risk to the screen cables
A loose or crooked hinge makes the cables bend differently than intended. They can then wear or get damaged sooner. The results are flickering, lines or a screen that cuts out at certain angles. Also read Flexgate: screen cuts out when opened further and screen black, flickering or lines.
How is it repaired?
On most newer MacBooks, such as the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with an Apple chip, the hinges are part of the screen. A broken hinge then usually means the whole screen is replaced. On some older models the hinges can be replaced or adjusted separately. If the bottom case is also bent, it sometimes has to be straightened or replaced.
Hinge or housing?
Sometimes the hinge seems broken, but the bottom case is bent from a drop on a corner. Then the screen sits crooked because the hinge is attached to a bent spot. Check whether the bottom still lies flat on the table and whether the gap between screen and bottom is equally wide everywhere. If the housing is bent, it has to be repaired too, otherwise the new screen will also sit crooked. After a drop the glass or screen cables are sometimes damaged too without you seeing it straight away.
Carrying on for now
If you have to wait, use the MacBook with an external display and the lid half open or closed, or prop it at a fixed angle. Always carry it closed and in a sturdy sleeve. See carrying your MacBook safely.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
We check whether the hinge, screen or housing is damaged, test the screen cables and tell you what the repair costs before we start. More on our page about MacBook screen repair.
Frequently asked questions
Can a hinge be tightened?
On most modern MacBooks not; the resistance is in the hinge itself, which is part of the screen.
The screen still works. Should I still have it fixed?
Yes, preferably soon. A loose hinge can damage the screen cables, and then the repair gets bigger.
Does AppleCare cover a broken hinge?
Drop damage usually falls under the accidental damage part, with an excess. See AppleCare: what it covers.
