MacBook screen broken: what you can do now

A cracked or black MacBook screen always comes at a bad time, especially if you use the device every day for work. Below you'll find where the damage usually comes from, what you can check yourself, and when it's better to hand it over to a specialist.

What's wrong with your screen?

Not every broken screen is the same problem. Do you recognize one of these situations?

• Cracked glass — usually after a fall or knock, visible as a web of lines.
• Dead pixels — black or colored dots that don't move with the image.
• Stains or discolored patches — points to the backlight or to water damage.
• No image, while the MacBook is on and the keyboard responds.
• Lines or flickering — often a loose or faulty display cable.

Was liquid involved? Then the problem usually doesn't stop at the screen. Also read our page on MacBook water damage — moisture often spreads deeper into the device than it looks at first glance.

What can you try yourself?

Check these points before booking an appointment:

1. Connect the MacBook to an external monitor. If you do get an image there, the problem is with the screen itself and not the graphics card.
2. Force a restart by holding down the power button. Sometimes that fixes a black screen.
3. Check if you see a faint image under a bright light. If so, it may be the backlight rather than the panel itself.
4. Was liquid involved? Turn the device off and leave it off until it's been checked. Switching it on further can make the damage worse.

If none of this helps, the problem runs deeper. Tinkering further yourself makes little sense at that point: with the wrong tools, a screen gets damaged faster than it gets fixed.

When should you call in FIXNOW?

Is the screen still black, do you see cracks, or are you unsure of the cause? Then a diagnosis gives you certainty fastest. At FIXNOW we first check exactly what's broken before we replace anything. In many cases it's enough to replace just the display panel instead of the entire screen module — that keeps costs down without giving up on quality. We work with original parts and often have stock in-house, so you don't wait longer than necessary. You'll get a fixed price per model in advance, so you know where you stand before we start.

You'll find us in Antwerp and Wolvertem. If coming by doesn't suit you, you can also mail in your MacBook.

Can you replace the screen yourself?

Technically it's possible, but without experience you can easily damage a connector or cable while opening it up. The repair then ends up costing more than if you'd gone straight to a specialist, and you have no certainty afterwards. Weigh the savings against that risk.

Does the whole screen need replacing after a crack?

Not necessarily. Often it's enough to replace only the cracked display panel, while the rest of the screen module stays in place. During the diagnosis you'll hear right away which option applies to your model.

Stains on the screen after liquid exposure — what now?

Turn the MacBook off and have it checked as soon as possible. Stains after liquid contact rarely stay limited to the screen; the damage spreads further into the device. The longer you wait, the more parts can be affected.

Still unsure? Book an appointment and have the screen checked — that way you'll quickly know where you stand.