MacBook screen cracked without a drop: how is that possible?

You open your MacBook and the screen is cracked, or there is a black patch with lines. But it was never dropped. How can that be? With MacBooks' thin screens this happens more often than you think. This article explains the most common causes, how to prevent it in future and what you can do if it has already happened.

Blue Apple repairs MacBook screens in Amsterdam. A large share of the cracked screens we see were not dropped but closed on something, or squeezed in a bag.

The most common causes

• A camera cover. A small plastic slider over the camera seems harmless, but the gap between the closed screen and the keyboard is very small. The cover then presses right on the glass above the camera, and that is often where a crack starts.
• Something between screen and keyboard. Earbuds, a pen, a paperclip or a crumb between the keys. When you close the lid, it presses into the screen.
• Pressure in a bag. A MacBook in a full backpack, with something hard against it, can break inside without you noticing.
• Lifting by the screen. If you lift an open MacBook by a corner of the screen, the lid flexes. After a few times the screen can crack.
• A keyboard or screen protector that is thicker than you think.

Why are MacBook screens so vulnerable?

To keep the laptop thin and light, the screen is a thin stack of glass and display layers in a slim housing. That is strong enough for normal use, but not for point pressure: a small hard spot where all the force lands. That is why a crack often appears exactly where the cover or object was.

What do you see with damage inside?

• A black or coloured patch spreading from one point.
• Vertical or horizontal lines. See lines on your MacBook screen.
• Part of the screen does not respond or is white.
• A spider web of cracks in the glass.

How to prevent it

• Do not use a camera cover. If you want to cover your camera, use a very thin sticker you remove before closing, or rely on the green light that shows when the camera is on.
• Glance at the keyboard before you close the lid.
• Carry the MacBook in a compartment with a sturdy wall. More in carrying your MacBook safely.
• Lift it by the bottom, not by the screen.

Can you keep working with a cracked screen?

As long as the picture is readable, you can usually carry on for a while. Do watch out: loose glass splinters can get into your fingers or the keyboard, and a crack often grows from heat and opening and closing the lid. If you see the patch spreading or the picture dropping out, make a backup straight away and use an external monitor if needed.

It has already happened: what now?

1. Make a backup while the MacBook still works.
2. Do not press on the crack and close the screen carefully; glass splinters can damage the keyboard.
3. Check whether your home or laptop insurance covers it. With AppleCare it counts as accidental damage, with a service fee.
4. Work with an external monitor for the time being if needed.

What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam

We replace your MacBook's complete screen. You hear beforehand which options there are for your model and what it costs. More on our page about MacBook screen repair, and about the options in genuine or compatible screen.

Frequently asked questions

Is a crack without a drop covered by the manufacturer?

Usually not: Apple sees it as pressure damage. With AppleCare it counts as accidental damage.

Can only the glass be replaced?

On MacBooks the glass and display are one unit; the whole screen is replaced.

Does a small crack get bigger?

Often yes, from heat and opening and closing the lid.