Introduction
Use this guide to replace one or both of the fans in your MacBook Pro 16" 2021.
Unlike repairs of the same kind, you have to remove the logic board to replace the fans in the MackBook Pro.
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.
What you need
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Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove eight screws securing the lower case:
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Four 9.1 mm screws
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Four 5 mm screws
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Press a suction handle into place near the front edge of the lower case, between the screw holes.
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Pull up on the suction handle to create a small gap under the lower case.
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Insert an opening pick into the gap you just created.
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Slide the opening pick around the nearest corner and then halfway up the side of the MacBook Pro.
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Repeat the previous step on the other side, using an opening pick to to release the second clip.
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Remove the lower case.
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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.
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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.
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Step 7 Disconnect the battery board
Careful: steps 7-19 are sourced from a guide that's marked as in-progress.
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Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector on the logic board.
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Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the battery board data cable.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.1 mm‑long screws securing the trackpad cable bracket to the logic board.
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Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the trackpad cable bracket.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable's press connector from the logic board.
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Peel the trackpad cable away from the device, making sure to separate the adhesive.
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Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector under the large pancake screw.
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Slide blunt nose tweezers under areas with adhesive to separate the cable from the device.
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Remove the battery board data cable.
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Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 3.9 mm pancake screw securing the battery power connector.
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Use a spudger to lift the battery power connector, disconnecting the battery.
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Step 20 Unfasten the antenna bar's connector bracket
Careful: steps 20-54 are sourced from a guide that's marked as in-progress.
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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.
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Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the antenna bar's coaxial cable.
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Repeat for the two other cables.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four 2.1 mm screws securing the display cable covers.
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Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the two display cable covers from the logic board.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the two right-most display cable press connectors secured to the logic board.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the 11 screws securing the right cable covers to the frame:
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Nine 2.1 mm screws
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One 2 mm screw
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One 3.5 mm screw
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Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the five right cable covers.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the right speaker's press connector.
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Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the headphone jack's press connector.
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Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the right USB-C ports' two press connectors.
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Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the MagSafe port's press connector.
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Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the lid angle sensor's press connector.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the six screws securing the left cable covers to the frame:
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Four 2.1 mm screws
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One 2 mm screw
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One 3.6 mm screw
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Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the three left cable covers.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the left speaker's press connector.
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Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the left USB-C port's press connector.
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Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the Touch ID sensor's press connector.
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Peel back any tape covering the keyboard and keyboard backlight cable connectors.
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Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the two ZIF connectors for the keyboard cables.
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Pull the fan cable away from the logic board with tweezers to separate the adhesive.
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Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the ten screws securing the logic board to the frame:
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Six 3.8 mm screws
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Four 4.6 mm screws
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Use a 4 mm Hex driver to remove the two 6 mm screws securing the logic board to the frame.
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Use a T6 Torx driver to remove the two 6 mm screws securing the heat sink to the logic board and frame.
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Insert a spudger between the right side of the logic board and the frame.
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Pry up with the spudger to release the logic board from its clips.
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Gently lift up the logic board by its right side to completely release the clips.
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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.
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Remove the logic board.
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Insert the tip of an opening pick between the fan's cable and the frame.
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Slice with the pick along the edges of the cable to separate the adhesive.
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Use a Torx driver to remove the following screws securing the fans to the frame:
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Four 3.3 mm T3 screws
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Four 3 mm T5 screws
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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 16" 2021 Answers community for help.
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 16" 2021 Answers community for help.
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3 Comments
Hello!
While doing this process I accidentally broke the locking flap of the fan (step 46), and after turning on, the fan is not working. Apple diagnostics gives ppf004, ppf001, ppf003.
Is there a way to replace the locking flap?
Hi there.
There is a way to replace the locking flap, but it's rather hard. Here's a guide on how to do the procedure, and here's some extra info and possible alternatives. Let us know how it goes! Good luck!
Do you need to put the screw covers back on after replacing the fan or is it ok if you forgot to put them on ? Sorry for the basic question I just want to make sure .
