How to Fix “Staingate” on Apple MacBook Displays

Written By: Chun-Ho Lee
  • Comments: 28
How to Fix “Staingate” on Apple MacBook Displays

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

6

Time Required

5 - 15 minutes

Introduction

This guide will show you how to fix the “Staingate” issue on Apple MacBook displays. Staingate happens when the anti-reflective coating on certain models of MacBook displays begins to delaminate and wear off, causing a stain-like appearance that is noticeable when the screen is off, on a low brightness setting, or when sunlight is hitting the screen. Staingate is a very widespread issue, and many people unfortunately end up replacing the display or even the entire MacBook because of it. This guide will fix the Staingate issue and make the display look brand new.

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    • Dampen a microfiber cloth with water.

    • Use the cloth to clean the screen of dust and debris.

    LISTERIN DESTROY THE SCREEN IMMEDATLY AND MAKES THE STAINGATE FAR WORSE!

    Who comes to the idea to use this?????

    It costs me 200 EUR. THANK YOU IFIXIT.COM

    A.D R -

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    • Put on latex gloves.

    • Dampen a separate microfiber cloth with Listerine or white vinegar.

    Has anyone actually done this with success? Do I have to put a screen protector on? Is Apple still offering free fixes for this in November 2022? I acquired a 2015 15" Macbook Pro. Thanks.

    Thom Hemler -

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    • Wipe the screen with the damp vinegar/Listerine cloth in a circular motion.

    • Make sure you have gloves on during this step as the anti-reflective coating on the MacBook screen releases chemicals that could be absorbed through the skin.

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    • You may have to wipe the screen a second time as some stains can be stubborn.

    • Apply more Listerine or white vinegar onto the cloth as needed.

    • Remember to keep your gloves on.

    ماهو الخل الابيض

    aa arbad -

    done it 3 times and it isn't clear yet or all gone. now tried both paste. better.

    not perfect Mac book pro 2013. they should have recalled them all.

    madam cuire -

    tomorrow will try vinegar.

    madam cuire -

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    • Dampen the first microfiber cloth with water again.

    • Wipe the screen free of debris with the cloth.

    • You can remove your gloves at this step.

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    • Install the new screen protector on your MacBook screen to minimize glare and to get some of the anti-reflectiveness back.

    Ich habe Bereiche bei denen es einfach nicht abgeht. Nicht mit Lysterine, Essig, backing soda.

    Gibt es noch was anderes? Aggressiver? Bin verzweifelt.

    Pättes -

Conclusion

Staingate should not occur again as long as you install a reputable screen protector afterwards.

Author

Chun-Ho Lee

Member since: 23/09/21

421 Reputation

22 comments

Ist es möglich, das Glas auszubauen? Ich habe ein MacBookPro11,4 – MacBook Pro (Retina, 15', Mitte 2015).

Toni Catany -

Followed instructions provided and used cleaning vinegar. Took a while and repeated rubbing of some areas with fresh vinegar, but end result very good and screen as new. Only in two bottom corners either pressed too hard or got some fluid behind the glas that shows up on the display with different “wet” colors. Hope that over time - if it is fluid - this will evaporate/disappear. But still happy with results as it so much improved. Thanks for sharing this approach.

Henk Tijhof -

Can confirm that few days later the “wet” colors in bottom corners have completely disappeared. This approach completely fixed the “staingate” issue for us. Thanks.

Henk Tijhof -

Thanks for the instructions! Works perfectly on our MBP early 2015.

Sue and Sergio

Serge D'Ortun -

Thank you for the instructions! Just got my hands on a 2017 MBP so looking forward to trying this fix.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a reputable screen protector with anti-glare and anti-reflective properties?

Johan -

Thanks! I was a bit scared, but I tried cleaning one corner first and it worked fine on my MBP early 2015. I used listerine dissolved 50% in water and it solved the problem.

Albert Forsyth -

All you need is some Cleansing Handy Wipes from Boots. Blue packet. Ensure that your laptop has been on and warm - so the screen is warm. Shut it after an hour or more use, to ensure the screen has been hot/warm. Shutdown the laptop and use the wipe. Mine came out within minutes with no effort - to spanking new! Good luck

Reef Clown -

Do you mean this kind of wipes?

Boots

Boots Baby Biodegradable Baby Wipes, or this one;

No7

No7 Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes 30pk

Jan Arefjord -

It worked well for me as well. Quite a bit of rubbing but well worth it as my screen is clear again. I do have a 'wet' color display in bottom left only of my screen as Henk above described. Hopefully will disappear also.

Stephen Hughey -

Wet color display in bottom left was gone after 4-5 hours. Screen looks great!

Stephen Hughey -

I used toothpaste instead of vinegar. Screen is like new. Seriously

Martin Clowes -

It took me three times; I used the listerine because i had some; that seemed to break down the coating which then appeared ALL over the screen, then I tried the toothpaste thing, the helped. today I used white vinegar and it took 2 hours but my screen is crystal clear. that was such a scam, apple should have recalled all those models and replaced for free. ordered a protective screen cover from amazon. but seriously I am a girl and I was always so gentle with my Mac book pros and cleaned less then normal person as not to damage.

madam cuire -

never found this product "Boots Baby Biodegradable Baby Wipes"

madam cuire -

This is FANTASTIC Solution, i was told by the Laptop service, it will cost me 600.000,- Rupiahs. It worked very well and easy with just White Vinegar and microfibre, be careful with your hands though, it created this toxic smells though. THANK YOU!! very happy with the result.

Onthego Hope -

Is there a specific screen protector for a MBP 13 inch 2017 they anyone can recommend?

Mat -

Thanks for sharing. My MBA is less than a year but looks 1000 years old! I usually wipe with wet tissues and get the same sparkling clean screen back but stains reoccur every few weeks!

AmNA -

I can't believe the difference! I tried typical window cleaners and they didn't work. I used the distilled white vinegar and it worked perfectly.

Tip: let the vinegar soak in a bit, but don't over do it. Use some elbow grease and watch the anti-glare stain disappear. I ordered an anti-UV screen protector now to give me back some of those anti-glare and anti-uv properties, plus I place a super thin micro fiber cloth on the keyboard now to stop grease from my fingers to transferring on to my screen or protector.

George -

I used ISOPROPANOL which is a strong alcohol. It worked in few minutes

Jörg Schrepfer -

Nothing has changed. Doesn’t work on ipad pro. Mac change my previous ipad (2023) because of this situation but it happened again, hate this $@$*.

Ase -

Will this work on a MBP 2019 with the laminate coming off?

Kev Henne -

Amazing!!!! this absolutely brilliant. I could hardly see my screen due to staingate in the sun but now it looks new!!!

S qajmb -

I have staingate creeping in from the edges, but most of the screen is still good and not visible when using the MacBook. Should I remove the anti-reflection coating now or wait until it gets worse, as I'm not sure what the actual difference it will make to using the laptop?

zanc -