MacBook Pro Stage Light Effect (Flexgate)
MacBook Pro 13-inch / 15-inch (2016-2017) • Stage light effect, backlight cuts out at wide angles
Quick Answer
A row of bright and dark spots along the bottom of the screen, like stage lights, or a backlight that goes dark once you open the lid past a certain angle, is the classic Flexgate problem on 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros. The display backlight cable is too short and wears out as the lid opens and closes. It can often be repaired without replacing the whole display.
Possible Causes
Worn display backlight cable
CommonOn the A1706, A1707 and A1708 the backlight cable wraps around the hinge and frays with use. This is the main cause of Flexgate.
Backlight driver fault on the board
ModerateA failed backlight fuse or driver on the logic board can make the screen go dark while the image is still faintly visible.
Damaged display panel
Less commonIf the panel itself is damaged, the symptoms stay the same at every lid angle.
What You Can Try at Home
Test different lid angles
Open the lid slowly. If the backlight works at a small angle and cuts out past about 40 degrees, the cable is the likely cause.
Check for a faint image with a flashlight
If you can see a dim image with a flashlight when the screen is dark, the panel works and the backlight is the problem.
Use an external display for now
An external monitor lets you keep working and back up your data until the repair is done.
When to Get Professional Help
Flexgate gets worse over time until the backlight stops working at any angle. Getting it checked early often means a cable or component repair instead of a full display.
WarriorMac Repair Cost
MacBook Pro 13-inch screen replacement: from $125. Flexgate backlight repairs may cost less than a full display. Free diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which MacBook Pros have Flexgate?
Mainly the 2016 and 2017 13-inch and 15-inch models (A1706, A1707, A1708). Later models use a longer cable and see it much less.
Can Flexgate be fixed without a new screen?
Often, yes. We can frequently repair the backlight circuit at the component level, which costs less than a full display replacement.
Do you still fix 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros?
Yes. Even when Apple no longer services an older model, we can usually still repair it.