If on your screen MacBook The appearance of vertical or horizontal stripes—thin, colored, flashing, or black—is one of the most unpleasant signs of hardware failure. Sometimes they appear suddenly after a shock or overheating, and sometimes they appear gradually, starting with slight glare. It's important to understand What was the reason?, and fix the problem in time to avoid losing the display completely.
Why are there stripes on my MacBook screen?
The appearance of stripes is the result of a disruption in signal transmission between the graphics chip, the ribbon cable, and the screen. Let's take a closer look at the main causes.
1. Damage to the display cable (common problem)
One of the most common reasons.
The ribbon cable connects the motherboard to the display and is constantly flexed when the lid is opened. Over time, the tracks in the cable wear out, and the image begins to "break," resulting in stripes, ripples, and flickering.
On MacBook Pro 2016–2019, this problem even has a name: Flexgate, when the screen goes completely dark when opened to a certain angle.
2. Damage to the matrix (screen)
If the streaks appeared after a blow, a fall, or pressing on the lid, it is almost certain crack in the matrix or damage to the internal layers of the display.
The stripes in this case can be vertical, multi-colored, or completely black.
3. Video chip (GPU) failure
Sometimes the problem is not with the display, but with the GPU.
If your MacBook has been overheating for a long time or has been under heavy load, the chip is unsoldered from the board, and the image becomes distorted: chaotic lines appear, a checkerboard pattern appears, the screen may flicker or disappear.
4. Overheating and thermal paste
High temperatures destroy soldering and lead to video system malfunctions. Dried-out thermal paste is a common cause, especially on older models.
5. macOS or driver error
Sometimes the stripes aren't caused by hardware, but by a graphics driver glitch. In this case, they only appear in the system, but in recovery mode or on the loading screen The picture is normal.
6. oxidation of contacts after moisture,
Even a few drops of water can cause corrosion of the cable or circuit board. The screen may appear functional, but white, pink, or blue streaks will appear.
🧠 How to figure out what exactly is broken
Before you panic, you can carry out a simple diagnosis:
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Connect an external monitor. via HDMI or USB-C.
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If there are stripes only on the MacBook screen, the problem is in the cable or display.
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If the stripes are duplicated on the external monitor, the video system is faulty.
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Check the lid opening angle.
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If the stripes disappear or become stronger when you change the angle, it is almost certainly the culprit. display cable.
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Boot into recovery mode (Command + R).
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If the image is clear, it is a software glitch.
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If the stripes remain, there is a hardware problem.
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🧰 How to fix lines on a MacBook screen
🔹 1. Replacing the cable
If the diagnostics showed that the problem is in the connection between the motherboard and the display, you need to replace the cable.
On some models (especially MacBook Pro 2016–2019) it is soldered to the screen, and then repairs are carried out with replacement of the entire display module.
🔹 2. Replacing the matrix
If the matrix itself is damaged - there are cracks, spots, white lines or "glare" on the screen - you will need replacing the entire display.
Our service uses Original Retina and Liquid Retina XDR display modules, suitable for a specific model (Air, Pro, M1, M2, M3).
🔹 3. Video chip repair (GPU reballing)
When the problem is in the GPU, the following is performed reballing — re-soldering the chip on the board with updating the solder balls.
This is a complex repair that requires an infrared station and experienced specialists, but it allows for a complete restoration of the image.
🔹 4. Cleaning and restoration after moisture
If moisture gets inside, the device needs to be disassemble, dry, and clean the board and connectors from oxides. Otherwise, within a few weeks, corrosion will completely destroy the contacts.
🔹 5. Software recovery
If the stripes are caused by macOS crashes, this helps reinstalling the system, rollback via Time Machine or update drivers.
Important: Do not attempt to repair the screen yourself.
The MacBook display is a complex multi-layer construction where the matrix, glass, and backlight are combined into a single module.
Trying to “disassemble and replace only the glass” most often leads to complete breakdown of the display.
Also, don't heat the screen with a hairdryer or apply pressure to it—this will only make the situation worse.
📦 We send MacBooks for repairs throughout Ukraine
If there is no Apple service center in your city, you can send a laptop via Nova Poshta.
We accept MacBooks from all regions of Ukraine, including:
Kyiv, Kharkov, Dnepr, Odessa, Lviv, Zaporozhye, Vinnitsa, Poltava, Cherkasy, Chernigov, Khmelnitsky, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Kropyvnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Rivne, Uzhgorod, Lutsk, Nikolaev, Kherson, Chernivtsi and all other cities.
After diagnostics, we'll contact you to confirm the repair cost and timeline. We ship and return your device safely, with packaging and insurance.
🔧 Why choose us
✅ Experienced technicians specializing in Apple
Professional equipment (IR soldering, test stations)
✅ Only original components
✅ Warranty up to 6 months
Possibility of payment with VAT for legal entities
🧩 Result
The stripes on the MacBook screen are a serious signal about problems with the display, video chip, or cable.
They cannot be ignored: over time, the image may disappear completely, and repairs will become more expensive.
👉 The best solution is diagnostics and repair by specialists, who will restore the screen, replace the cable or matrix, and your MacBook will once again delight you with a bright, clear Retina picture.
