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MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement

MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement

Adam O'Camb

Adam O'Camb and one other contributor

Last updated on November 16, 2023

35 minutes
Moderate

Introduction

Go to step 1

Use this guide to replace the I/O board, including the headphone jack, USB port, and MagSafe 2 port, in your MacBook Air 13" Early 2017.

What you need

Parts

Tools

Show more…

  1. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air
    $5.99
    Add To Cart

    • Before proceeding, power down your MacBook. Close the display and lay it on a soft surface, top-side down.

    • Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove ten screws securing the lower case, of the following lengths:

    • Two 9 mm screws

    • Eight 2.6 mm screws

    Edit

  2. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.

    • Remove the lower case and set it aside.

    Edit

  3. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement, Battery Connector: step 3, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement, Battery Connector: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • To ensure that everything is de-energized and won't turn on while you're working, it is recommended that you disconnect the battery.

    • Grab the clear plastic pull tab attached to the battery connector and pull it parallel to the board toward the front edge of the Air.

    • Do not lift upward on the connector as you disconnect it or you risk damage to the connector socket.

    Edit

  4. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement, I/O Board Cable: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the I/O board cable connector up out of its socket on the I/O board.

    Edit

  5. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Carefully peel the I/O board cable from the adhesive securing it to the top of the fan.

    • During reassembly, make sure this cable is in the correct orientation. It will fit if reversed, but the laptop will not boot.

    Edit

  6. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • The following connector has an especially deep socket. Use care when disconnecting it.

    • While gently pulling the I/O board cable upward near its connection to the logic board, use the flat end of a spudger to pry up on alternating sides of the connector to help "walk" it out of its socket.

    • Remove the I/O board cable.

    Edit

  8. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement, Fan: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the fan cable ZIF socket.

    • Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.

    Edit

  9. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Peel the rubber gasket off the adhesive on the top of the fan.

    Edit

  10. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following three screws securing the fan to the upper case:

    • One 5.2 mm T5 Torx screw

    • One 3.3 mm T5 Torx screw

    • One 4.4 mm T5 Torx screw with a short head

    Edit

  11. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the fan from the I/O board side and pull it free from the upper case.

    • Removing the fan will also disconnect the fan ribbon cable. Be careful not to snag it.

    Edit

  12. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement, I/O Board: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the I/O board by pulling its power cable away from its socket on the logic board.

    • Pull the cable parallel to the face of the logic board toward the right edge of the Air.

    Edit

  13. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the left speaker cable connector up and out of its socket on the I/O board.

    • Pry up from beneath the wires.

    Edit

  14. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the microphone ribbon cable ZIF socket.

    • Make sure you are flipping up the retaining flap, not the socket itself.

    Edit

  15. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the single 4.1 mm T5 Torx screw securing the I/O board to the upper case.

    Edit

  16. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Gently de-route the camera cable from its notch on the I/O board and push it out of the way with the tip of a spudger.

    Edit

  17. MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the I/O board from the logic board side and pull it free from the upper case.

    • Removing the I/O board will also disconnect the microphone ribbon cable. Be careful not to snag it.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

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

15 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 1 other contributor

Adam O'Camb

Member since: 04/11/15

209,560 Reputation

416 Guides authored

Badges: 39

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4 Comments

Can this part repair the problem of not detecting microphone and speakers?

Daniel Guinto Sanchez - Reply

Replacing this board fixed my audio issues!

ChickenBacon -

two questions maybe someone can throw me a bone. 1.) where in the dickens can i get this part in germany? and 2.) would this potentially be a reason for a laptop not charging (or running at all from a power cable)--assuming a fully good working cable (from another laptop of the exact same type), doesn't work?

john reesekl - Reply

No idea about Germany, but I am also having an issue with the laptop suddenly not charging or recognizing the charger at all. Was also hoping this could be the culprit. Any luck with it?

Nick Dirschel -

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