Distorted screen on MacBook Pro 2017 after power cable yank

I had my mbp 2017 on my lap when it slid off, power cable attached. I caught it before it hit the ground but I think the power cable was yanked (still attached). No other damage but the screen is distorted and only half visible, also after 2 reboots. How do I troubleshoot this? What can be the damage?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Distorted screen after drop

Posted on Aug 16, 2025 12:10 PM

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3 replies

Aug 16, 2025 12:33 PM in response to tapt

tapt wrote:

I had my mbp 2017 on my lap when it slid off, power cable attached. I caught it before it hit the ground but I think the power cable was yanked (still attached). No other damage but the screen is distorted and only half visible, also after 2 reboots. How do I troubleshoot this? What can be the damage?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Distorted screen after drop


You can try resetting NVRAM/PRAM Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support


no resolve—

resetting the System Management Controller Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support


for hardware issues—the user Diagnostic...not as definitive as Apple's own AST2 (Apple Service Toolkit) back bench diagnostic, but may kick out an error code.


ref: Use Diagnostics to test your Mac for hardware issues

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support



In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Outside the USA

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support





Aug 16, 2025 01:00 PM in response to tapt

Sounds like the laptop's built-in Display Assembly has been damaged.


Personally I don't recommend spending any money on repairs for any of the Intel USB-C Macs for multiple reasons. The money spent on repair is much better put towards a new laptop.


In the mean time you can try using an external display with the laptop if you don't need to carry the laptop around.


Aug 16, 2025 05:23 PM in response to HWTech

Thanks for your replies. I have tried attaching an external monitor but that does not work. I had a full grey screen once with "Select language" in the upper left of the menu bar, but no way to get my mouse there. No more external display after that. I tried NVRAM/PRAM and SMC resets to no avail.


I have a pretty dark feeling that this is the end of my macbook. Really bummed that this can happen with a relative minor event. And mad at myself for letting this happen. MagSafe was such a great feature of the earlier macs. I will get an adapter for my next macbook.



Distorted screen on MacBook Pro 2017 after power cable yank

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