How to Fix Loose Macbook Pro Screen Hinge 

Both hinges on my 2012 MacBook Pro are broken. I ordered replacements, but have delayed replacing them until I could find an instructional video that gave me enough confidence to do the job. I also need to replace the black cover you showed how to install. Thanks to this video I FINALLY have enough confidence to tackle this job and get rid of the duct tape holding my computer together! Now, if I can only figure out how to get my "a" and "s" keys to work. They work about 5 percent of the time. Thanks for your great video!

Just performed the more extensive repair on my early 2011 MacBook Pro! No extra pieces lying around after I put it all back together either lol. Now the hinge is in better condition than when I purchased it used back in 2013. Thank you!!

Here are some things that weren't covered in the video that you should do: - DISCONNECT THE BATTERY to avoid shorting the display cable against the logic board - get blue high strength threadlocker for the screws and apply them to ALL hinge screws - clean the plastic hinge cover when it is out of the machine because it is easier to get around the sides - if your hinges aren't 90 degrees to the screen like in the video, use a screwdriver to twist them into place (it is near impossible to move the hinges with just hand strength because of no leverage.) - the plastic hinge cover curved side goes up facing the direction that you would use the laptop from - while you have the cover off CLEAN EVERYTHING, especially the fan! This will help with overheating issues. - you should also tighten the power adapter bracket and apply threadlocker if your power connector is loose. - last thing: if you still have a HDD: you should upgrade to a SSD, it will transform your 7 year old computer. You can use FREE SOFTWARE: carbon copy cloner to make an exact copy of your old hard disk drive, and copy all the contents to the new Solid state drive which is 100x faster. All you need is a 120$ SSD and a $10 USB to SATA cable. This upgrade will make a tremendously noticeable difference. 1/10th boot/loading times. - upgrade your ram if you'd like! My 2012 macbook pro has 16gb, which is not supported but works perfectly! - if your computer is running hot and 2-3 years have passed since the last time you've replaced your thermal paste, you might want to do so. The only problem is the processor is unfortunately on the back of the logic board, meaning you would have to remove the entire logic board to change the thermal paste, which may only offer a slight improvement. It is important to ensure that the CPU fan is clean and functioning properly, which can be done very easily. Good luck, I wish you much success.

Excellent. Just upgraded RAM and hdd to sdd on late 2008 unibody MBP15". Noticed a bit of looseness on right side. I pretty much use it as a desktop so I will just leave it alone. I got this far with no problems and don't want to push my luck. Do you think any damage could occur from it being a bit loose?

I haven't tried this yet but I just want to say thank you in advance for also showing how to put everything back together! I tend to repair things on my own a lot and I know this particular repair will make me frustrated as it is, and I probably wouldn't attempt it at all without clear instruction on reassembly. I can't tell you how many repairs have taken me way too long because I forgot where components went and the tutorial doesn't show that part of the process. (I attempt them anyway but the it helps so much when the full process is shown!) Thanks again, I'm looking forward to finally getting rid of that screen wobble!

Just used your tutorial for a mid-2012 macbook pro 13". Great video. Although, it seemed on my fix that I had enough slack to get at the hinge behind the speaker without having to disconnect it. Thanks again, no wobble!

Subscribed, I actually don't have a MacBook or 60 inch TV but it looks like you fix your own stuff and showing other people how to do it, not doing it for the views. That's kind of what my idea of a great channel is. Good luck.

Thanks for this tutorial. I went to iFixit first and they didn't have anything except how to remove the screen and they wanted more disassembly than was necessary. I had all the tools already and have made minor repairs and upgrades already, but this was the last thing I needed to do to fix my 2012 MBP. The wobble and loose screen drove me nuts because I CONSTANTLY needed to adjust the screen. I replaced the cracked clutch cover while making this repair, so the whole thing cost $7 to fix.

Thanks man, couldn't have done it without you! Was a little sketchy there when the hinges twisted on the screen side, and I had to gently twist them back into position...but your advice about putting the screen back on over a table edge was the ticket to getting things back together. Great job on this video!

I just brought my 2011 13” MPB back to life. The Screen wobble was the only project left. Thanks for the Tutorial!

Wow, This gives me hope for my MBP Mid 2015 (A1398) Would you know where I could buy the black plastic part (besel?) Mine was broken and I thought I had to buy a new screen until I saw your video. Thank you so much for showing us how to fix it. Best, =)

I think I have to replace the hinges themselves. Will this video explain enough to get to the hinge replacement?

hands down one of the best diy repair vids around, hats off to you Ser.. ;) thank you!

You made my day! The tutorial worked like a charm and my macbook is like new again. I took under 30 minutes. Thanks!

Thank you kindly for the informative video. Worked for me. Only thing is you need to be mindful of the alignments when tightening the screws inside the screen. Even though I aligned the corners like he mentioned, the one corner of mine rubs now when it opens. I'm not doing it all over to tweak it. I feel lucky I didn't break anything with my giant fingers. Also, the black cover that you have to push to the right on the screen never went back in perfect for me. Couldn't get the one side to clip in properly. Oh well, screen is tight and I'm happy.

Thanks - took a deep breath, and had some issues re-assembling, but it all worked for me!

thanks this helped a lot on my 13" 2011 Macbook Pro. took less about 15 minutes. why do I alway have extra screws when I'm done??

Great video, thanks for posting! I was a little intimidated to attempt it at first but followed your video step by step and was able to fix my wobbly screen! The most challenging part is disconnecting the speaker assembly especially that small speaker cable - you definitely need some type of small tweezers or something of that nature. The bundle of wires at the corner was also a big challenge. I had trouble getting that section removed to get to the hinge screws. But I worked through it and was able to get it fixed. Thanks again!

Thanks a lot for this! I had something in the crack between the keyboard and the screen (where the vents are). I didn't notice, tried to close it, and something cracked. The screen has been wobbly since but what's worse - I can't close the lid anymore. It's always about two inches open. If I want to close it so it'll go to sleep I have to put a weight on it. Will what's described in this video fix that, you think? Or does that sound like a more complicated problem than tightening the hinge screws?

Hi, I followed the instructions and was able to fix the wobble. Thanks for the detailed explanation. But now my screen is blank. Can you please help

Thanks, I used your video on a Macbook Pro 2015, it was close enough to use.

Thank you for this. Today, I used it to do my 15" Macbook Pro 2011's screen. A bit scary in spots, and your video's 13" is different than the 15" - mainly where on yours the speaker had to be removed and on mine I (mostly) detached the wifi card. All I can tell folks is go slow and think things through, it will all go back together even if you think it won't.... and what a relief to get rid of that dang floppy screen!

Awesome video, can't wait to do this to mine. I have already upgraded the ram (16 GB), hard drive to SSD and put a new battery in it. It runs pretty good. Thank you.

I need help with this. Prob the computer is done but somebody has an expensive Mac book pro computer and they didn’t take care of it by holding it with the screen dangling. The hinges got loose and they needed something behind to to keep it stable. One day, their screen started glitching as heck and would only keep stable if it were exactly 90 degrees. Is this fixable to bring to a tech place??? Please respond

Great comprehensive video my man. The most difficult part for me was removing that plastic shroud that covers the hinges, prob spent a good 15 minutes removing that and putting it back on.

I followed your steps and got my kid's Macbook Pro wobbly screen fixed. As a way to thank you I bought through your link the tool set which I didn't use this time but it will sure come handy for other challenges!

Thanks, I've tried to use this tutorial for fixing loose screen hinge and replacing the hinge cover of my MBP (MD101 2012). It works. :)

I did it! Thank you! Doesn't matter if it's a 2010, it works like a charm and this wobble was driving me nuts. No more wobble. Yeah!

I have the opposite problem, the left side is to tight and can't close all the way. So when I close the screen only the right side magnets touch. Will loosening the screws help this?

Wondering what would a repair shop charge for this kind of repair, I just don't want to try this myself and break anything since it seems there is a lot going on.

Thanks for this informative video, Rhys! This is exactly what is wrong with my daughters Macbook Air. 👏

Super straight forward video! Made my Mac like new again, thanks!!

Thank you a million times over! took me 30 mins to do by following your tut step-by-step.

Thanks so much, it worked perfectly except for some model year differences in Tscrew sizes. NO MORE WOBBLY!!

With your help, I've just fixed that annoying wobble in a late 2011 MacBook, exactly the same one on your video. It's like new again (I also reformatted HD). Thank you very much from Brazil!

Thanks for the tutorial - FYI I just did this WITHOUT taking anything apart except for the aluminum case and black strip/hinge. No need to unscrew all the screen or all that!

Will this work if my screen falls backward? Or do I need to order new hinges as well?

Great video! The only problem i had was that black trim piece i had a problem popping it in once i got it in and after i opened the MacBook the trim popped open again so now it’s a lil open with and makes a lil noise

I have just fixed mine using this technique.. i admit was hesitant to try it but it really did fix my trackpad.. ty for this sir..👍👍👏👏

It was intimidating at first. But I did it! I lost 2 of the tiny screws along the way but they were not important. What's important is my hinge is not loose anymore! Thank you so much!

Really helpful video, a good step by step guide and fixed my wobbly screen issue. It took me about 15 minutes to do

Thanks greatly appreciated - I’d just add though that the long black plastic sleeve over the screen hinge slides 5mm left/right first to uncouple otherwise you’ll break the flimsy plastic connectors.

Thanks so much! I’ve built many windows gaming pcs but never messed with Mac much. My girlfriend had one with this issue and i used this video to fix it! Great help 👍🏼

Got my toolkit delivered today and this was the first thing I did. Thank you for including the other possible loose hinges under the plastic because that’s what I needed to retighten and I don’t think ifixit had those few steps.

Thanks for the video, I followed ur instructions twice, first time around 2020 and again now 2 days back. Both the time ur instructions were clear and I was able to fix the wobble, but this time my screen isn't turning on, it's a black screen, I can hear the startup music but the screen is just dark. I went ahead and ordered a new screen same thing, black screen again.. appreciate any help/suggestion to troubleshoot..

Doing this right now, how long till you gotta do it again?

Thanks for this video! I just took ours apart and got it all tightened back up. It's working like new again. 👍🏻

You are AWESOME!!! I needed the thickness of three business cards to fix mine, but it absolutely worked! Thank you so much!!

Beautiful. Shared the vid with my son in Germany whose MacBook has this issue.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! A bit of confidence from your video goes a very long way and I was able to fix my screen wobble as well . Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Prob the computer is done but somebody has an expensive Mac book pro computer and they didn’t take care of it by holding it with the screen dangling. The hinges got loose and they needed something behind to to keep it stable. One day, their screen started glitching as heck and would only keep stable if it were exactly 90 degrees. Is this fixable to bring to a tech place??? Please respond

Great video. I also popped a little liquid screw lock onto them. They're not coming loose again anytime soon

I did it like this and it worked for about a year, then it went slack again. Should I put some drips of super glue on the T-screws to prevent them from loosening again?

THANK YOU! I just finished doing this to my Daughter’s Apple MacBook Pro and both inner brackets were loose. Very simple to do. Again,.....THANK YOU!

What do you charge for tightening a screen up? Or do you do that? Thanks

Great video! Very clearly laid out steps, clearly communicated and visualized as well. My wife’s MacBook Pro screen works perfectly now with no wobble! Thanks, Frugal Repair!!

Best video about those hinges.

Great video, mine is missing a couple of screws, do you by any chance know what the screws are called so i can buy replacements?

Very clear and simple to follow video, exactly what I needed

I just FIXED my MBP late 2011 13" loose screen hinge ! thanks for the video dude! cheers!

started watching this in hopes i could fix my hinge then saw this dude disconnecting cables...

Thank you SO much for this video!! I've been dreading this repair and other videos/sites made it seem so much more complicated! I was able to complete the repair successfully... though the first time I got it all back together and realized I forgot to put the long black piece back on the LCD first! 😅

Thanks really helpful the inside of the screen screws

Excellent video , thanks for posting, it really help me out a lot, there is just one slight detail that you forgot to mention about the two screws on the two hinges, that you tighten up in your video, there is also a third screw , in the center in the back of the hinge, that I found out and it was also loose, but overall great job on the video, help me out a lot

I just found your videos as well as just subscribed. I can't get enough of your videos. I've noticed it's been 7 months since your last video, are you retired from you tube? Your videos are so well done and it seems so easy as you walk us through it. I get motivated after every video.

hello, i have early 2011 macbook pro, my screen is working but screen henges are not. I don't know if they are broken or not. Can i just change the henges or do i have to replace the whole screen? Thank you for the video.

Thanks for this video. I figured it was something like this but haven't gotten to it yet. I believe my problem is the screws on the screen side of the hinge. I checked the body side screws already.

Thanks for this tutorial just got my mbp feeling like a new one again.

I did it!!. There were times when I wish I hadn't started, but I managed to pass the test successfully!

I spent £80 to have my cracked screen replaced and the hinges tightened, was told that they would have to crack the screen to get to the hinges anyway so it was a good time to do it. The wobble has been worse for about 2 years (since it was done) and the whole thing just sort of falls back. Desperately need to fix it but those wires look terrifying. How badly can things go wrong if I attempt this myself?

Followed this and was able to fix the loose screws. But now, there are those three beeps coming up once I connect the battery and start the mac. And I also am noticing the CPU to really heat up. What may have gone wrong since I was pretty careful while fixing the laptop. It's a 2012 air model.

This worked great for the screen but any idea of any of this could affect the WiFi or something? I tightened my screen, and the next day the WiFi doesn’t even turn on

This worked to fix my wobbly screen, but I think I may have messed up during the process because now my display turns pink when my screen is angled in a certain way! How do I fix this?

Great - clear and quick with no waffle. Thanks

How much does it cost to let the fringes repair by a store?

Thank you so much. Just finished this fix on my 2012 Macbook Pro.

Hello, FrugalRepair I have a problem with macbook pro 13 mid 2012, which is that it does not close completely, one side is more raised than the other you know why. (sorry my English is not very good so I used the translator)

wow great job on this video. It got a little complicated where the speaker box was but other than that. very detailed and great instructional video! Good Job man

Great video! just the right amount of time and explantation! MacBook feels new again!

Lol this was almost a nightmare for me. The hinge on the left side was broken off and I noticed that one of the speaker wires was severed when I put it back together. Thankfully the MacBook still works and everything seems to be functioning normally. Turns out that part of the wobble was due to the broken hinge although it wobbles much less now. I’ve never taken apart or worked on a computer before, so everything under the cover looked like a deadly trip wire to me. Your video helped me through it though. To be honest I found it kind of interesting and I may even look more into computer components, structure, repair, etc.

Mine is making a sound while it is getting opened, should i tight the screws?

Great video, very instructive without a bunch of nonsense. Thank you.

Awesome video, thanks! Saved me a trip to the local computer tech shop.

1:30, when disconnecting the screen cable, i accidentally ripped off the black foam below the tab that you're supposed to pull. what should i do?

Great video. I was lost a little on moving the speaker. Anyway, I fixed the wobble, but lost my WiFi. I must have loosened something, but don't know where that is. Any help in repairing that.

Worked on this today and managed to get it done. No more wobble!

So was working on my Mac and I mistakenly forgot to disconnect the power. now my lcd will not power on. Do you have any suggestions on fixing this problem? I would hate to have to buy a new logic board.

Great video! Followed the step and was able to do this in under 30 min !

I have a 2016 MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar. Is this going to be fairly similar once I take the cover off? I don't want to accidentally disconnect something I shouldn't have.

Hey, did you have to hold the hinge on the screen a specific way while tightening? so there are no alignment issues with the screen and body of the laptop?

That black plastic attached to the monitor is not attached to me and I can't close my laptop because it may break apart what should I do?

Hey! Mine is a 2012 Macbook do you think this will still work?

Will you be making more electronic repair videos in the future?

Finally someone linked to their toolkit. 👍 Do you have a posted video where you replaced or upgraded the feet? For now, the MBP user has it hardshell cover on the MBP which had its own feet as they lost one during ownership.

Is the same for Macbook Air or easier ?

Really .. u r the best.. i don’t know that screen can be fixed until i saw ur video .. i fixed my laptop.. thank u

Holy shit, I was gonna buy a new laptop because my screen wouldn't stay up. I did this, upgraded the RAM, installed a new battery, and cleaned up a bit (the exhaust fan was gross, I recommend cleaning those every time the back cover is off) and it's like brand new! Early 2011 MBP and I couldn't be happier. Thanks!

Thank you very much, it was really very helpful, The same problem was with my MacBook Pro Late 2011, I fixed it by this video, Thank you so much, Really Appreciated.....

My school laptop was wobbly, so I was scared to do this and even more scared of the damage I would have to pay for if I messed up, but I fixed it and no damage done! It's like new, thank you :)

hi my macbook pro front panel hinge is broken they say i have to change the whole screen panel is this true? thanks.