How do I fix the latch on my MacBook Pro?

Hi -- I'm a PC ;-)

It sounds like this isn't usually something covered for free by Apple, because they assume it's owner's wear and tear on the machine. Scott is right about trying to just fix the mechanics first. If that doesn't do it try going to the genius bar and seeing if they can send it in to Apple for a fix up.

I'm about to buy a used Macbook Pro and the owner says ONE of the latches is broken but the other works...should I worry? What would it cost to fix a broken latch?

I haven't found the time to take it into the Genius bar yet and really cannot afford to be without my mac for the week it would take to get it fixed, so I've just been living with it. My MacBook is always in one of three places...open on my desk, closed charging at my home, or in my Timbuk2 bag. I don't need the latch when it is open or in my bag where it fits snugly in the perfectly-sized laptop holder, so when it is home charging I turn it upside down and the weight holds it shut. Clunky, I know, but it works.

I took my MBP to Apple repair and they said it's not a warranty repair. They can order the replacement parts and then do the installation but it's part of the lower case and so a complete lower case -- estimated $300 to $500 plus the labour. And of course they won't get the part and let me do it (even though the entire fixit is on the web).

Thanks for feedback...I like Rob Hayes fix...hey, whatever floats the boat...and I can't find anything wrong with his system...turn it upside-down...brilliant!

I'm searching for that 'perfect' coloured strapping with velcro, a bit elastic in content, and give my MBP a girdle. Then I don't have to worry about turning it upside down. I already have Speck Product's RED plastic cover to make my MBP stand out in the crowd. So I guess a rainbow coloured strap would be the next thing. Thanks.

If I remember correctly,

I had this problem with my old PowerBook. What did work for me was to press down on the area where the lock was and the "hook" would come down and secure itself in place.

Then using a can of compressed air and some alcohol swabs I was able to remove something that was blocking the actual mechanism and then it started working again.

As far as I know, the new owner of my old PowerBook hasn't had any problems with it so far, now it is 4.5 years old and the latch still works fine.

also you can use a toothpick to move the little "hook" out of the top frame and clean in there too.

in my case the top magnetic hooks pop down no prob. But I fished out a piece of broken plastic from the bottom case. I know the problem, and 1 hook is still holding fine. But I always have to be careful when I pop it into my bag to carry it around. My partner has MBP too and he's being super careful not to pop the latch on his.

I have this problem too. I use a large elastic band from the hair products aisle in Rite Aid. works Ok. I don't have a problem with the two little hooks coming down. My problem is with the bottom mechanism. It doesn't catch. Any other ideas?

Thanks Chris. I think I did something similar to you but discovered something I should have thought of a long time ago. On my 17" PowerBook G4, you can access the whole assembly simply by removing the battery. I never had a reason to remove it so it didn't occur to me. I think you can combine your solution with mine and have more options.

It's nice to have my latch back. Now I have to figure out what to do with those large hair band elastics.

THANK YOU CHRIS BEAMS! i have been annoyed by this for months and following your directions my latch is fixed!

Yes! Thank you for solving this one!

Another fixer if, as noted above, the latches by the release button are not coming down flush: a good shot of WD40 on each side, and then working any gunk free with say a very small flat head screw driver (1.4mm type) and bam, those latches will snap back to life.

has worked now a couple times.

Thanks for all the useful info.

I ended up fiddling around with a small screw driver. After I used the screwdriver to gently lift the top of the macbook pro, the latches jumped back into place right away! Guess it somehow got jammed in to hard, pushing it in to far.

I had the same problem the latch not catching. Being from a technical background I feel compelled to figure this one out. I notice when the top portion of my MBP had two slots. This is where the two latches come down from. They normally stay recessed but if you hold the laptop on end (because its easier to look down into the laptop as the two portions close. You will notice two latches will drop down just as the laptop is about to close (3-4 mm or about an 1/8 of an inch). The levers will look like there drawn by a magnetic field. Which they are. If one or both of the latches drop down you're OK then. If not you might observe on has its end hook portion broken. If so, sorry you have a broken latch or two and off to Apple for repair. You can also but a small screwdriver in between the upper and lower portion and move the latch hooks. Make sure they swing freely and also line up so they will actually drop into the lower portion of the laptop, If they don't swing freely try a compressed air canister to blow out any particles that might have collected or wedged in this latch area preventing the latches from dropping freely.

If the latches drop down the next area to look is on the lower portion of the laptop where there are two slots. Notice in the two slots there are two tabs that when you compress the latch release button you will notice those two tabs will recede out of the way. If the latch hooks are good they drop down and catch these two tabs. If the one or both of the two tabs do not recede when the release button is pressed you have a bad release button. Sorry off again to Apple repair. If the release tabs are ok, (not missing or otherwise bent or miss-shaped but still not catching the latch hooks when they drop down then then look and see if both the tabs and the portion below them moves and properly lays against the front of the slot opening. Sometimes crumbs and other particles drop down into the slots and collect so that the piece with the tabs that move when the release button is pressed does not lay completely flat against the side of the slot. Again take an air can and blow out the slots.

I don't think WD40 or some other light weight oil should be used but if so make sure you only use it on the latch hooks to assist them is swinging freely. So use it sparingly. Also some people like myself use protective covers on the area below the keyboard to protect the palm rests. Sometimes there to thick and might be the problem. The same with those flexible keyboard covers. You can get a can of air from Radio Shack, Lowe's or other electronics stores. Once you fixed your latch use the rest to clean out your keyboard. There are few sites on the web that might sell replacement latches, release buttons or tabs but you need to fill confident in taking your laptop shell apart.

Good luck. If your lucky you can fix it with a can of air like I did.

I had given up, but then read Chris' answer. I dug around the top opening with safety pin and it appears there was a magnetized staple stuck to it which interfered with the latch mechanism. Thanks Chris.

Hi All,

Vacuum out the holes...probably some food crumbs preventing the latch button from moving back to rest position.

I had the same problem and vacuuming fixed the problem :)

Bleugh!!

Put your mouth over the hole on one side and suck while gently pressing the catch button in and out. Whatever is caught up will fly into the bit of the back of your mouth that causes the gag reflex... Et; Voila!

Fixed. Uch fughg!

Check this out... just bought a macbook pro. first mac ever, I have been a long time PC rocks macs are trash guy, but with VMFusion giving me the ability to have a virtual machine of my old XP laptop and the poor excuse of an operating system that vista has turned out to be I made the switch,

well anyway I love having made the switch, but today at work when I went to grab my macbook, it caught the edge of my desk and slipped out of my hand. It took a little topple and dented the case a very small amount just in front of the latching area. This little dent is keeping the lower portion of the latching mechanism from coming up flush against the front of the case. The upper hooks are engaging, but do not quite get caught by the lower catches because of this. My lid will not stay shut!!! :( :( I haven't even had this puppy 2 weeks...

Anyone have idea's? I am technically able and am willing to crack into it, but the dent is in a place that will not be ready available to undent. The only thing I can think of is getting a new base for it...

My plan is to go plead mercy from apple care.

Chris’ answer got me on the right track... There was something preventing the latch from moving back into its proper position.

Instead of playing with a pin, I turned the laptop upside down, keyboard and trackpad facing the floor, and lid *open* (probably resting on your leg or a table), then pushed the latch button vigorously a few times. Whatever was stuck in there fell out and it worked again.

Thanks :-)

Chris: You can count me as another satisfied "customer." Your paper clip suggestion worked like a charm.

It's possible to prevent the MacBook [Pro] from waking up when the lid pops open. Open up Terminal.app (located in /Applications/Utilities/ ) and issue the following command:

sudo pmset -a lidwake 0

You'll be asked for your administrator password. Type it in, hit return, and your machine will now only wake from sleep when a button is pressed. This could be useful if you have no way of repairing the physical hook/latch mechanism.

To revert to the original setting (i.e. wake upon opening the lid), just change the "0" to a "1", i.e.

sudo pmset -a lidwake 1

Hope this helps!

-Matt

man i have tried and tried....i had finally gave up until i just stumbled upon this forum and gave my comp another look and i had found a chunk of metal from one of the two retaining flanges that had broken off. got the piece out and now it almost works as good as new.....funny because it broke 7days after 1yr apple care and apple told me i was sol. funny ive heard so many horror stories where apple came in to save the day, unfortunately i wasn't Lois Lane. LOL

This worked great!
I really didn't feel like going to the apple store for something that may have a simple fix.

Many thanks to your suggestion.

~Pamela

I worked safety pin! Andrew Hillman Dallas TX

Toothpick solved the problem! I was unable to close the lid for over a year. Finally googled the problem and came here...

Greeting from Holland