If your MacBook Air is out of warranty and you don’t want to pay too much for the repair service, then you can follow these steps to execute the MacBook Air display replacement on your own. All you need is the right set of tools, a compatible replacement and clean working space. Here are the steps for the replacement.
Step 1: Remove the Lower Case
Removing the lower case is the first step to getting inside the laptop. Before you do that though, disable the Auto Boot feature from preventing the laptop from getting on in the middle of the procedure.
Use a P5 screwdriver to remove the 10 screws securing the lower case. Carefully wedge your fingers into the case and pop it off by pulling upwards. Try not to force the removal as you can risk bending the lower case as well.
Step 2: Disconnect the Battery
Since this is a display replacement, you don’t have to remove the battery, just disconnecting it will do. After you’ve removed the lower case, unlatch the metal locking arm and lift it up to disconnect the battery connector from the logic board.
Step 3: Disconnect the Antenna Cables
There are two antenna cables that you need to disconnect before proceeding. With the help of a T3 Torx Driver, remove the screw securing the antenna cable cover and then remove the cover as well. Take a pair of tweezers and pull an antenna straight up to disconnect it. Repeat the process with the second cable as well.
Step 4: Disconnect the Display Cable
Just like you did for the antenna cable, use the T3 Torx driver to remove the cable cover over the display connector. Take a flat-ended tool like a spudger and remove the connector straight from the antenna board to disconnect it.
Step 5: Remove the Antenna Bar
There are six screws that secure the antenna bar. You can remove them by using a T5 Torx driver. Use the spudger to access the space between the antenna bar and the display hinge from one end. Pry open that end of the antenna bar and disconnect it from the display hinge. Repeat the process from the other end as well. Now, lift the antenna bar away from the case, thread it through the antenna board, and then remove the antenna bar completely.
Step 6: Remove the Display
Remove the four screws (two on each side) from the hinge using a T8 Torx screwdriver. Turn the Macbook over so that it is lying with the screen side down and then open it as far as possible.
Now you can remove the third central screw from both sides of the hinge. Hold both the halves steady and gradually start closing the display until it is standing perpendicular to the upper case. Since all the screws are removed, you can just simply slide the display away from the bottom and remove it completely.
Step 7: Install the MacBook Air Display Replacement
Now you can install the replacement part. Just slide the new display around the hinge, place all the screws as it is along with the antenna and battery connector and you should be good to go.
While these steps could look straightforward at the first glance, you should always be mindful of the steps. Try not to do things in a hurry and always check if you’ve left any screw or cable connected before removing a component. The same goes for the MacBook Air display replacement part. Check and remove any labels, adhesive, and stuff before installing the replacement.
