Macbook Pro 14 2021 Usb C Ports Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

Lower Case
6 steps
Battery Connector
10 steps
Logic Board Removal
41 steps
USB-C Ports
5 steps

Flags

In Progress

This guide is a work in progress. Reload periodically to see the latest changes!

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Introduction

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your MacBook. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

You’ll need replacement adhesive in order to complete this repair.

Some photos in this guide are from a different model and may contain slight visual discrepancies, but they won’t affect the guide procedure.

What you need

Step 1

              Unfasten the lower case

Completely power off and unplug your MacBook Pro before you start. Close the display and flip the entire laptop upside-down.
Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove eight screws securing the lower case:
Four 9.3 mm screws
Four 5 mm screws
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your device.

Completely power off and unplug your MacBook Pro before you start. Close the display and flip the entire laptop upside-down.

Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove eight screws securing the lower case:

Four 9.3 mm screws

Four 5 mm screws

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your device.

1024

Step 2

              Unclip the lower case

Press a suction handle into place near the front edge of the lower case, between the screw holes.
Pull up on the suction handle to create a small gap under the lower case.

Press a suction handle into place near the front edge of the lower case, between the screw holes.

Pull up on the suction handle to create a small gap under the lower case.

Step 3

              Release the lower case's right clips

Insert an opening pick into the gap you just created.
Slide the opening pick around the nearest corner and then halfway up the side of the MacBook Pro.
This releases the first of the hidden clips securing the lower case. You should feel and hear the clip pop free.

Insert an opening pick into the gap you just created.

Slide the opening pick around the nearest corner and then halfway up the side of the MacBook Pro.

This releases the first of the hidden clips securing the lower case. You should feel and hear the clip pop free.

Step 4

              Release the lower case's left clips

Repeat the previous step on the other side, using an opening pick to to release the second clip.

Repeat the previous step on the other side, using an opening pick to to release the second clip.

Step 5

Pull firmly to slide the lower case towards the front edge of the MacBook (away from the hinge area) to separate the last of the clips securing the lower case.
Pull first at one corner, then the other.
Pull to the side—not up.
This may require a lot of force.

Pull firmly to slide the lower case towards the front edge of the MacBook (away from the hinge area) to separate the last of the clips securing the lower case.

Pull first at one corner, then the other.

Pull to the side—not up.

This may require a lot of force.

Step 6

              Remove the lower case

Remove the lower case.
To reinstall the lower case:
Set it in place and align the sliding clips near the display hinge. Press down and slide the cover toward the hinge. It should stop sliding as the clips engage.
When the sliding clips are fully engaged and the lower case looks correctly aligned, press down firmly on the lower case to engage the four hidden clips underneath. You should feel and hear them snap into place.

Remove the lower case.

To reinstall the lower case:

Set it in place and align the sliding clips near the display hinge. Press down and slide the cover toward the hinge. It should stop sliding as the clips engage.

When the sliding clips are fully engaged and the lower case looks correctly aligned, press down firmly on the lower case to engage the four hidden clips underneath. You should feel and hear them snap into place.

Step 7

              Unfasten the trackpad cable bracket

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.1 mm-long screws securing the trackpad cable bracket to the logic board.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.1 mm-long screws securing the trackpad cable bracket to the logic board.

Step 8

              Remove the trackpad cable bracket

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the trackpad cable bracket.

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the trackpad cable bracket.

Step 9

              Disconnect the trackpad cable

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable’s press connector secured to the logic board.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don’t press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable’s press connector secured to the logic board.

To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don’t press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 10

              Reposition the trackpad cable

The trackpad cable is lightly adhered to the frame.
Peel the trackpad cable away from the device, making sure to separate the adhesive.

The trackpad cable is lightly adhered to the frame.

Peel the trackpad cable away from the device, making sure to separate the adhesive.

Step 11

              Disconnect the battery board

Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector.

Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector.

Step 12

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the battery board data cable.

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the battery board data cable.

Step 13

The battery board data cable is lightly adhered to the logic board.
Insert blunt-nosed tweezers between the battery board data cable and the logic board.
Slide the tweezers underneath the cable to separate the adhesive.
Disconnect the battery board data cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.

The battery board data cable is lightly adhered to the logic board.

Insert blunt-nosed tweezers between the battery board data cable and the logic board.

Slide the tweezers underneath the cable to separate the adhesive.

Disconnect the battery board data cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.

Step 14

              Reposition the battery board cable

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to pull the battery board data cable away from the device.

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to pull the battery board data cable away from the device.

Step 15

              Unfasten the battery connector

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 3.8 mm pancake screw securing the battery power connector.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 3.8 mm pancake screw securing the battery power connector.

Step 16

              Disconnect the battery connector

Use a spudger to lift the battery power connector, disconnecting the battery.
Lift the connector high enough to keep it separated from its socket while you work. If it accidentally makes contact, it could damage your MacBook Pro.

Use a spudger to lift the battery power connector, disconnecting the battery.

Lift the connector high enough to keep it separated from its socket while you work. If it accidentally makes contact, it could damage your MacBook Pro.

Step 17

              Unfasten the antenna bar's connector bracket

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the three 2.1 mm screws securing the antenna board bracket and coaxial cable cover to the frame.

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the three 2.1 mm screws securing the antenna board bracket and coaxial cable cover to the frame.

Step 18

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the cover on top of the antenna bar’s coaxial cables.

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the cover on top of the antenna bar’s coaxial cables.

Step 19

              Disconnect the antenna bar

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the antenna bar’s coaxial cable.
Repeat for the two other cables.
During reassembly, these can be tricky to reconnect. Hold each connector in place over its socket and press down with the flat end of a spudger. The connector should snap into place.

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the antenna bar’s coaxial cable.

Repeat for the two other cables.

During reassembly, these can be tricky to reconnect. Hold each connector in place over its socket and press down with the flat end of a spudger. The connector should snap into place.

Step 20

              Unfasten the display cable covers

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the four 2.1 mm screws securing the display cable covers.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the four 2.1 mm screws securing the display cable covers.

Step 21

              Remove the display cable covers

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the two display cable covers from the logic board.

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the two display cable covers from the logic board.

Step 22

              Disconnect the display cables

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the right-most display cable press connectors secured to the logic board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the right-most display cable press connectors secured to the logic board.

Step 23

Repeat the previous disconnection process for the remaining press connector.

Repeat the previous disconnection process for the remaining press connector.

Step 24

Peel back any tape covering the microphone cable connector.

Peel back any tape covering the microphone cable connector.

Step 25

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the microphone cable.

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the microphone cable.

Step 26

Disconnect the microphone cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.

Disconnect the microphone cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.

Step 27

              Unfasten the right-side cable covers

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the nine 2.1 mm screws securing the right cable covers to the frame:

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the nine 2.1 mm screws securing the right cable covers to the frame:

Step 28

              Remove the right cable covers

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the five right cable covers.

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the five right cable covers.

Step 29

Peel back any tape covering the right speaker cable.

Peel back any tape covering the right speaker cable.

Step 30

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the right speaker cable.

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the right speaker cable.

Step 31

Disconnect the right speaker cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.

Disconnect the right speaker cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.

Step 32

              Disconnect the headphone jack

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the headphone jack’s press connector.

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the headphone jack’s press connector.

Step 33

              Disconnect the right USB-C ports

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the right USB-C ports’ press connectors.

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the right USB-C ports’ press connectors.

Step 34

              Disconnect the MagSafe port

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the MagSafe port’s press connector.

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the MagSafe port’s press connector.

Step 35

              Disconnect the lid angle sensor cable

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the lid angle sensor’s press connector.

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the lid angle sensor’s press connector.

Step 36

              Unfasten the left cable covers

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four screws securing the left cable covers to the frame:
Two 2 mm screws
Two 2.1 mm screw

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four screws securing the left cable covers to the frame:

Two 2 mm screws

Two 2.1 mm screw

Step 37

              Remove the left cable covers

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the two left cable covers.

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the two left cable covers.

Step 38

              Disconnect the left speaker

Peel back any tape covering the left speaker cable.

Peel back any tape covering the left speaker cable.

Step 39

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the left speaker cable.

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the left speaker cable.

Step 40

Disconnect the left speaker cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.

Disconnect the left speaker cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.

Step 41

              Disconnect the left USB-C port

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the left USB-C port’s press connector.

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the left USB-C port’s press connector.

Step 42

              Disconnect the Touch ID sensor

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the Touch ID sensor’s press connector near the top left of the device.

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the Touch ID sensor’s press connector near the top left of the device.

Step 43

              Disconnect the keyboard

Peel back any tape covering the keyboard and keyboard backlight cable connectors.

Peel back any tape covering the keyboard and keyboard backlight cable connectors.

Step 44

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connectors for the keyboard cables.

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connectors for the keyboard cables.

Step 45

Disconnect the keyboard and keyboard backlight cables by sliding them out from their sockets on the logic board.

Disconnect the keyboard and keyboard backlight cables by sliding them out from their sockets on the logic board.

Step 46

              Disconnect the fans

Peel back any tape covering the right fan cable connector.

Peel back any tape covering the right fan cable connector.

Step 47

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the right fan cable.

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the right fan cable.

Step 48

Disconnect the right fan cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.

Disconnect the right fan cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.

Step 49

              Reposition the right fan cable

The right fan cable is lightly adhered to the logic board.
Pull the fan cable away from the logic board with tweezers to separate the adhesive.
The fan cables are incredibly delicate and prone to tearing; use caution when bending them with tools.
Repeat the cable disconnection and reposition procedure for the left fan.

The right fan cable is lightly adhered to the logic board.

Pull the fan cable away from the logic board with tweezers to separate the adhesive.

The fan cables are incredibly delicate and prone to tearing; use caution when bending them with tools.

Repeat the cable disconnection and reposition procedure for the left fan.

Step 50

Repeat the previous disconnection and reposition procedure for the left fan.

Repeat the previous disconnection and reposition procedure for the left fan.

Step 51

Remove the four black screw covers from the logic board.

Remove the four black screw covers from the logic board.

Step 52

              Unfasten the logic board

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 11 screws securing the logic board:
Four 3.6 mm screws
Two 4.5 mm screws
Two 5.2 mm screws
Two 3.8 mm screws
One 3.9 mm screw

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 11 screws securing the logic board:

Four 3.6 mm screws

Two 4.5 mm screws

Two 5.2 mm screws

Two 3.8 mm screws

One 3.9 mm screw

Step 53

Use a T6 Torx driver to remove the three screws securing the logic board:
Two 4.7 mm screws
One 5.7 mm screw

Use a T6 Torx driver to remove the three screws securing the logic board:

Two 4.7 mm screws

One 5.7 mm screw

Step 54

              Release the logic board's clips

Insert a spudger between the right side of the logic board and the frame.
Pry up with the spudger to release the logic board from its clips.

Insert a spudger between the right side of the logic board and the frame.

Pry up with the spudger to release the logic board from its clips.

Step 55

Insert a spudger between the bottom of the logic board and the frame.
Pry up with the spudger to release the logic board from its clips.

Insert a spudger between the bottom of the logic board and the frame.

Step 56

              Remove the logic board

Gently lift up the logic board by its right side to completely release the clips.
Pull the logic board away from the left side of the device to separate the HDMI and SDXC ports from their slots in the frame.
Remove the logic board.

Gently lift up the logic board by its right side to completely release the clips.

Pull the logic board away from the left side of the device to separate the HDMI and SDXC ports from their slots in the frame.

Remove the logic board.

Step 57

              Reassembly information

When reinstalling the logic board, insert the left side first to reposition the HMDI and SDXC ports.
Use your fingers to slightly compress the HDMI port to fit it into its recess, otherwise the logic board won’t sit correctly.
Make sure all of the connectors are above the logic board before securing it back onto the fame.
If you’re having trouble positioning the connectors, use tape to keep them out of the way.

When reinstalling the logic board, insert the left side first to reposition the HMDI and SDXC ports.

Use your fingers to slightly compress the HDMI port to fit it into its recess, otherwise the logic board won’t sit correctly.

Make sure all of the connectors are above the logic board before securing it back onto the fame.

If you’re having trouble positioning the connectors, use tape to keep them out of the way.

Step 58

              USB-C port legend

If you’re replacing a specific port, use the links below to skip to the corresponding steps:
Left USB-C port
Right USB-C ports (two total)

If you’re replacing a specific port, use the links below to skip to the corresponding steps:

Left USB-C port

Right USB-C ports (two total)

Step 59

              Unfasten the left USB-C port

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the two 3.7 mm screws securing the left USB-C port.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the two 3.7 mm screws securing the left USB-C port.

Step 60

              Remove the USB-C Port

Use your fingers to remove the USB-C port.

Use your fingers to remove the USB-C port.

Step 61

              Unfasten the USB-C ports

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the four 3.7 mm screws securing the right USB-C ports:
Top port
Bottom port
If you’re replacing a single port, only remove the screws for the corresponding port.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the four 3.7 mm screws securing the right USB-C ports:

Top port

Bottom port

If you’re replacing a single port, only remove the screws for the corresponding port.

Step 62

              Remove the USB-C ports

Use your fingers to remove the USB-C ports.

Use your fingers to remove the USB-C ports.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before you install it.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our MacBook Pro 14" 2021 Answers community for help.

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                    Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

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