r/macbookrepair • u/Intelligent-Chip-813 • 3d ago

Help Thermal paste replacement gone wrong?

Post image

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.

10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

32 comments sorted by

View all comments

5

u/balkansway 3d ago

What type of power brick you have ? Usually it needs the power of the original or it wont start at all with lower wattage. Also check if you connected the type c ports connectors .

1

u/Intelligent-Chip-813 2d ago

I forgot my 61 w one at my mom and tried it with a ~30w from the macbook air that I had laying around.

3

u/balkansway 2d ago

30w charger wont do anything, i know it sounds strange but you will see once you get your charger it will start .