Apple has extended a repair program to fix MacBook Pro notebooks that are plagued with video issue until December 31, 2016, reveals an updated support document on the company’s website. The MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program for Video Issues, as it’s officially referred to as, was originally scheduled to expire on February 27, 2016.
A small percentage of 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro models sold between February 2011 and February 2013 may display distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen, show no video on the inbuilt screen or external display or the machine may restart unexpectedly.
These issues are caused by faulty Nvidia and AMD chips.
“The program covers affected MacBook Pro models until December 31, 2016 or four years from its original date of sale, whichever provides longer coverage for you,” states Apple. This repair program does not extend the standard warranty coverage of the MacBook Pro.
Affected models include:
- MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011)
- MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2012)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch Early 2011)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch Late 2011)
- MacBook Pro (Retina, 15 inch, Early 2013)
You can check for yourself if your MacBook Pro is affected by video issues via Apple’s Check Coverage web tool. Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will repair affected MacBook Pro systems, free of charge.
You can also send your notebook in via mail for repairs.
“Apple is contacting customers who paid for a repair either through Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider to arrange reimbursement,” notes the support document. Those who have not been contacted, but paid for a repair that they think was due to this issue, should contact Apple to arrange reimbursement.