How to Replace MacBook Pro 15 Logic Board: Step-by-Step Guide

Duration: 45 minutes

Steps: 25 Steps

Heads up, tech whiz! Make sure you’ve got your tools ready and your workspace clear. It’s time to have some fun fixing things up!

All the ports you need are chilling on the right side of this motherboard! Keep rocking that repair!

Step 1

– Nudge those battery release tabs away with your fingers like you’re playing a tiny piano, and simply lift that battery out of the computer like a boss!

Step 2

– Unscrew the trio of sassy Phillips screws securing the memory door. Let’s keep things loose and free!

Step 3

– Gently lift the memory door just enough to get a solid grip on it, then slide it toward yourself and pull it away from the casing like you’re unveiling a magic trick!

Step 4

– Unscrew the two 2.8 mm Phillips screws chilling in the battery compartment near the latch. Let’s get that battery compartment freed up!

Step 5

– Alright, let’s get cracking and unscrew the following 6 screws:

Step 6

– Unscrew the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws on the port side of the computer. Let’s get those little rascals out!

Step 7

– Spin that computer 90 degrees and unscrew the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the back. Easy-peasy!

Step 8

– Twist your computer by 90 degrees once more and unscrew the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws on the side. Keep on rocking!

Step 9

Don’t just rip off the upper case like you’re starting a lawn mower! Remember, it’s still tethered to the logic board with a ribbon cable. Take it slow, champ!

– Start by lifting the rear of the case and slide your fingers along the edges to loosen it. Continue around the sides until it’s loosened completely. If the front seems stuck, gently rock the case up and down. This will disengage some sneaky plastic clips holding the front in place.

Step 10

– Unplug the trackpad and keyboard ribbons from the motherboard, peeling off any tape that’s in the way.

– Lift off the upper case and set it aside.

Step 11

– Unplug the snazzy orange SuperDrive ribbon cable from the logic board, peeling off any tape that’s in the way.

Step 12

– Unscrew these 4 bad boys:

Step 13

– Hoist the optical drive right out of the computer like you’re lifting a treasure chest out of the sand. Nice and easy!

Step 14

– Unplug those hard drive and ExpressCard connectors from the left side of the logic board. You’re doing great!

Step 15

– Slide out the iSight and display data cables from their connectors on the logic board, peeling off any tape that gets in the way. Easy does it!

Step 16

– Pop off those eight connectors by sneaking a spudger under each cable and giving it a gentle lift. It’s like lifting the lid off a treasure chest, but instead of gold, it’s tech goodness inside!

Tools Used

Spudger

Step 17

– Unscrew the shiny silver T6 Torx screw that’s keeping the ground loop snug against the display data cable and the casing. You’ve got this!

Step 18

– Unscrew the lone T6 Torx screw that’s keeping the clear plastic shield in place over the right ambient light sensor. It’s just one screw, you got this!

– Now, gently lift off the clear plastic shield from the right ambient light sensor. Voilà, nicely done!

Step 19

– Gently lift up the zesty orange Kapton tape that’s keeping the right thermal sensor cable cozy against the logic board.

Step 20

– Time to unscrew some history! Remove the following 15 screws:

Step 21

– Hold down the logic board with one hand while you use your other hand to give the left fan a gentle lift from its cozy spot. There’s a sneaky strip of black tape holding the fan tight to the heat sink—peel it off carefully as you raise the fan.

– Just park the fan right above the Airport card. No need to take it all the way out—keep it chill and close by.

Step 22

– Hoist the right fan up and gently unstick the tape that’s hugging the fan to the heat sink as you go. It’s like peeling a banana!

– Wave goodbye to the right fan as you lift it out of the computer.

Step 23

– Hoist the left side of the logic board and unplug the snazzy gray and black power cable from its comfy spot underneath the board.

Step 24

Alright, it’s time to give your MacBook Pro a little TLC! Before you wrap up the reassembly, make sure to clean off that old thermal goop and jazz it up with some fresh thermal paste. Check out our nifty guide on Applying Thermal Paste to get those processor and heat sink surfaces looking snazzy and ready for action!

– Grab the logic board on its left side and by the skinny part, then give it a gentle twist out of the lower case.

Step 25

If your gadget is rocking dual RAM chips, just dance through the steps again for the second superstar chip.

– Gently nudge the tabs on each side of the RAM chip at the same time. These little tabs are the guardians of the RAM, keeping it snug and secure. Once you press them, watch as the chip makes a small leap upwards, ready for removal.

– Now, carefully slide the chip straight out from its connector. It’s like pulling a card from a deck—smooth and easy!