MacBook won't start or charge?
We check the cause, including faults after a spill. If the problem is on the main circuit board, called the logic board, we test its components and repair the affected circuit where possible. Visit us in Revelstoke or mail your MacBook from anywhere in Canada.
- 90-dayWarranty on every repair
- 1–4 weeksBoard-level & water-damage turnaround
- No fix, no feeon board-level work
Symptoms we investigate
These symptoms can have several causes. We check the charger, battery and other parts before investigating the board.
MacBook will not turn on
Pressing the power button does nothing — no chime, no fan spin, no keyboard light.
Not charging
The battery won't charge through MagSafe or USB-C, or the MacBook won't run while plugged in.
Liquid or water damage
Coffee, water, soda or another liquid spilled into the keyboard or onto the board.
USB-C charging issues
Charges only on certain ports, only with certain cables, or stops charging intermittently.
No image or backlight
A faint image visible only with a flashlight, or a black screen while the rest of the system runs.
Fan spins but never boots
The MacBook starts up — fan spins, lights come on — but never reaches macOS or the Apple logo.
Unexpected shutdowns or restarts
The MacBook suddenly turns off or restarts, sometimes with a system error called a kernel panic.
Unusual heat or a suspected short circuit
Heat is concentrated in one area or the fans immediately run fast. We test for short circuits and other board faults.
Data needed from a dead MacBook
Photos, projects and files trapped on a MacBook that no longer powers on.
How we find and repair board faults
We measure the circuits that supply power, find shorts and check the connections between components. Those results guide the repair.
Testing the power supply circuits
These circuits are called power rails. We measure them under controlled load to find missing voltages and short circuits.
Short detection
We use electrical measurements and thermal imaging to locate components causing a short circuit.
Charging chip replacement
USB-C controllers and charging chips manage power entering the MacBook. We test those chips and the surrounding circuit before deciding what needs replacing.
Connector repair
We replace USB-C and Thunderbolt ports, repair connections between boards and replace connectors for the display's flexible cable.
Corrosion cleanup
We use ultrasonic cleaning on liquid-damaged boards, then inspect the tiny components, solder contacts and copper paths for damage.
Trace and pad repair
Rebuilding damaged solder contacts and copper paths to reconnect parts of the board.
The repair depends on your MacBook model and the test results. A charging fault alone does not tell us which component has failed.
Repairing the board or replacing it
We assess whether a targeted repair is practical, what it will cost and whether you need data from the original board.
What we consider
- We compare the cost of repairing the fault with the available replacement options.
- On some models, replacing the board means replacing components paired to the original board.
- Repairing individual components may avoid the cost of replacing the whole board.
- Keeping the original board may help preserve access to your data.
- Not every MacBook board is repairable — some failures and some prior damage push a board past the point where repair is worthwhile.
Spilled something on your MacBook? Time matters.
Corrosion keeps progressing after the spill, even once the MacBook has been dried out.
Do this right now
- Power the MacBook off — hold the power button until it shuts down
- Do not charge or plug in the MacBook after the spill
- Disconnect any USB-C / Thunderbolt accessories
- Stand the MacBook in a tent shape to drain residual liquid — no rice, no hair dryers, no heat
- Contact RevyTech as soon as possible; earlier is better than later
Realistic limitations
- Corrosion keeps progressing even after the device has been dried out.
- Spills involving sugary or salty liquids cause faster, deeper corrosion.
- Long-standing liquid damage can eat through internal copper layers in the board itself, which isn't repairable.
- Boards damaged by repeated power-on attempts after a spill are harder to recover than ones powered down quickly.
When your files are the priority
Getting the MacBook running long enough to back up
When a MacBook won't power on but you mainly need the files inside, the goal of the repair shifts: bring it back far enough to copy data off, then decide whether to proceed with a full repair. Outcomes depend heavily on the failure mode, the state of the storage and prior handling — we don't promise data recovery.
Our MacBook diagnostic process
We check the cause, explain the repair and get your approval before soldering work begins.
- Step 1
Intake
We record history — spills, drops, prior repair attempts, recent updates — and the symptoms you've seen.
- Step 2
External inspection
A visual check of the chassis, keyboard and ports for signs of impact, swelling or liquid exposure.
- Step 3
Board inspection under microscope
The logic board comes out and is inspected for corrosion, damaged pads and prior repair signs.
- Step 4
Power & charging tests
We measure the power supply circuits under controlled conditions to find failed components and trace the fault.
- Step 5
Quote
We explain the findings, the proposed repair and the cost. You approve the quote before repair work begins.
- Step 6
Repair the affected components
We replace damaged chips or connectors, repair USB-C control circuits, clean corrosion or rebuild copper paths and solder contacts, as needed.
- Step 7
Full testing
Boot test, power test, charging test, port-by-port testing and a thermal check before the MacBook leaves the bench.
Pricing, turnaround and warranty
No fix, no fee
Board-level work is no repair, no fee: if we can't fix it, you pay nothing. On mail-in repairs, shipping costs still apply. A simple repair quote by phone or email costs nothing. You approve the quote before repair work begins.
Turnaround
Board-level work, water damage and severe damage take 1–4 weeks, depending on severity and parts availability. After diagnosis, we can give you an estimate for your repair.
Warranty
90-day warranty on every repair — longer on screens and batteries.
Frequently asked questions
What to know about the repair, your data and getting started.
Can a MacBook logic board be repaired?
Many faults can be repaired, including damaged chips, connectors, fuses and corroded connections. We inspect and test the board to find the cause. Severe physical damage or corrosion can make repair impractical.
Is MacBook logic board repair cheaper than replacement?
It can be. The cost depends on the failed components, the damage and the parts available for your model. We diagnose first and explain the repair and replacement options where relevant.
Can you repair a liquid-damaged MacBook?
Often, yes, especially if it's brought in quickly. We disassemble, ultrasonically clean affected board sections, inspect under microscope, and repair or replace failed components. Corrosion progresses even after the device has dried out, so the sooner we can clean the board, the better the outcome. Water-damaged devices get a liquid-damage treatment instead of the $55 diagnostic: $100 for phones, $150 for laptops. The treatment adds at least 24 hours to the repair: ultrasonic cleaning, a bath in 99% isopropyl alcohol, then drying overnight.
What if my MacBook can't be repaired?
Board-level work is no repair, no fee: if we can't fix it, you pay nothing. On mail-in repairs, shipping costs still apply. We'll explain what failed and why a repair may not be practical.
What if my MacBook will not charge?
This is a common board-level case. The fault could be a damaged USB-C / Thunderbolt port, a failed USB-C controller, a charging IC, a blown fuse, or a shorted component pulling the rail down. We confirm the actual root cause under microscope before quoting any repair.
Can you recover data from a dead MacBook?
Sometimes. When a MacBook won't power on, the storage may still be intact, and the goal becomes bringing the device far enough back to copy data off. We don't promise data recovery success — see our board-level data recovery page for realistic expectations.
Do you repair USB-C charging faults?
Yes. Where the issue is the port itself, the connector can be replaced; where it's the controller or surrounding circuit on the board, that's a microsoldering repair. The diagnostic determines which one applies to your MacBook.
Do you offer mail-in MacBook logic board repair?
Yes, from anywhere in Canada — no-power, not-charging, liquid damage, USB-C faults and other component-level work. See our mail-in microsoldering page for how to package and ship your MacBook.
Tell us what your MacBook is doing.
Call us with the model, year and symptoms. Tell us about any spills or previous repairs so we can explain the next step.