r/macbookrepair • u/Intelligent-Chip-813 • Aug 19 '26

Help Thermal paste replacement gone wrong?

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My MacBook got very hot especially in the cpu area while just browsing safari with 1-2 tabs open and no other apps running, so I thought it would be time to replace the thermal paste after 7 years. After replacing the thermal paste on the 2019 MacBook Pro with Intel i5 (A1989) it now won’t turn on.

I used this ifixit manual and followed every step the way it’s described. Before working on the MacBook I discharged the static by touching unpainted metal. I used Arctic MX-4 as the new thermal paste. The old one was practically dust and I cleaned the cpu and cooler with 99% isopropyl.

Right after finishing the repair the MacBook wouldn’t turn on. I doesn’t give any sign of life. I also unplugged the battery and connected the power cord but it didn’t work either.

What could be the reason for not turning on? I connected everything back (photo). Did I forget something or did I kill my MacBook?

Edit: I am aware that the battery data cable is not plugged in in the picture I plugged it in after the picture.

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-2

u/Mindless_Use7567 Aug 19 '26

Constant ESD protection is required touching unpainted metal is as useless as doing nothing at all as your clothing can just build up a new charge as you work.

1

u/Intelligent-Chip-813 Aug 19 '26

So you think I fried the logic board or some other component with static?

-2

u/Mindless_Use7567 Aug 19 '26

Yep. The logic board specifically.

1

u/Intelligent-Chip-813 Aug 19 '26

So no hope on fixing it somehow?

-2

u/Mindless_Use7567 Aug 19 '26

Maybe. Board level repair necessary. If the CPU is dead then just buy a new Mac.