How to Replace MacBook Pro 15 Display Assembly – Step-by-Step Guide

Duration: 45 minutes

Steps: 18 Steps

Hey there! Just a friendly reminder: if you run into any hiccups while fixing your device, don’t sweat it! You can always schedule a repair with us at Salvation Repair. We’ve got your back!

Get ready for the ultimate transformation – say goodbye to that old display assembly and hello to a brand new you! Swap out the entire display assembly like a pro, and while you’re at it, dance with the inverter, flirt with the Airport antennas, hug the hinges, and embrace the casing. It’s time to give your device a fresh new look that’ll make heads turn!

Step 1

– Give those battery release tabs a gentle nudge with your fingers to push them away from the battery, then lift it out of the computer like you’re raising a trophy!

Step 2

– First things first, go ahead and take out those three identical 2mm Phillips screws from the memory door. You’ve got this!

– Now, gently lift the memory door just enough to get a good grip on it. Slide it towards you and pull it away from the casing with a smooth motion. Easy peasy!

Step 3

– Unscrew the two tiny 2.8 mm Phillips screws snug in the battery slot next to the latch.

Step 4

– Unscrew those 6 little screws like a pro!

Step 5

– Let’s get started by taking out those four 3.2 mm PH00 Phillips screws on the port side of your computer. You’ve got this!

Step 6

– Twist the computer 90 degrees and gently remove the pair of 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the back of the computer.

Step 7

– Give your computer a little twist and turn it 90 degrees once more. Now, let’s tackle those four 3.2 mm Phillips screws hanging out on the side. Time to show them who’s boss!

Step 8

Take it easy when removing the upper case! It’s connected to the logic board with a ribbon cable, so give it a gentle touch.

– Start by lifting the back of the case and gently work your fingers along the sides, freeing it as you go. Once the sides are loose, give the case a little rock up and down to help release the front of the upper case.

– You’ll find four sneaky plastic clips hiding above the DVD slot, plus another one above and to the left of the IR sensor. These little guys can be tricky to disengage without a little prying, and they might give you a hard time when it’s time to put everything back together.

– Reassembly Tip: Give a firm press on the top case right above each clip until you hear that satisfying snap, letting you know they’re back in their cozy slots.

– Reassembly Tip: The two center DVD clips can be a bit stubborn and might not snap back into place without a little extra help. To avoid deforming the frame around the DVD slot, support it by sliding a plastic spudger into the DVD slot right under the clip location until it fits snugly, then press down until you hear that delightful snap.

Tools Used

Spudger

Step 9

Heads up! You can swap out the hard drive without having to disconnect the keyboard from the chassis. Just keep it propped up so it doesn’t get in your way while you tackle that drive removal with both hands.

When you’re delicately handling the keyboard-trackpad ribbon cable, make sure the back of the upper case is free from the hinge area. It’s super easy to accidentally bend those screw receivers on either side of the keyboard, so take it slow and steady!

– Gently unplug the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, and feel free to peel off any tape that’s in the way.

– Carefully take off the upper case.

Step 10

– Gently unplug the two or three antenna cables connected to the Airport Extreme card. Keep in mind, depending on your model, one of those cables might be sitting pretty, unused and capped with a black shrink tube.

– Apple has kindly provided a handy label to show where each color-coded antenna cable goes. So, when you’re reconnecting those cables, take a peek at this label to ensure everything is plugged in just right!