Tutorial: MacBook Air 13″ A1466 2013-2017 Fan Replacement
Is your MacBook Air 13″ A1466 getting noisy or overheating abnormally? Is the fan running constantly or no longer working properly? This comprehensive tutorial guides you step by step through replacing your MacBook Air’s fan yourself, with no technical knowledge required.
Compatible with A1466 models from 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017, this illustrated guide lets you carry out a simple, quick and cost-effective repair, with the right tools and the right parts.
Give your MacBook Air 13″ a new lease of life safely, without going to a repair centre.
Compatible models:
MacBook Air 13″ A1466 Mid 2013
MacBook Air 13″ A1466 Early 2014
MacBook Air 13″ A1466 Early 2015
MacBook Air 13″ A1466 2017
Step-by-step guide
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Step 1 of 17 1. Switch off the MacBook
Switch off your MacBook Air and unplug the power supply.
🚨 Never carry out any disassembly on a MacBook that is switched on
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Step 2 of 17 2. Unscrew the bottom case
Remove the 10 external MacBook Air screws securing the bottom cover using a P5 pentalobe screwdriver
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Step 3 of 17 3. Remove the bottom case
Gently lift the bottom case from the top edge to remove it from the Mac.
💡 If the cover won't lift, you've probably missed a screw!
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Step 4 of 17 4. Disconnect the battery
Pull the plastic tab to gently remove the battery connector.
🚨 Always start with this step before touching any other components of the Mac
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Step 5 of 17 5. Unscrew the battery
Remove the 5 Torx T5 screws holding the MacBook Air battery in place.
If a screw is missing, you can find it in the complete screw kit for this model.
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Step 6 of 17 6. Remove the battery
Gently lift the battery to remove it.
The battery should come away easily, without any resistance -
Step 7 of 17 7. Disconnect the left speaker
Using a plastic tool, disconnect both speakers from the logic board.
⚠️ These connectors are very fragile, so take great care
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Step 8 of 17 8. Remove the left speaker
Gently lift the speaker using a plastic tool to release the adhesive.
Then remove the speaker completely
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Step 9 of 17 9. Disconnect the MagSafe flex cable
Carefully disconnect the cable linking the logic board to the MagSafe board.
Work gently to avoid ripping off the connector.
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Step 10 of 17 10. Remove the MagSafe flex cable
Disconnect the other end of the flex cable to remove it completely.
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Step 11 of 17 11. Unscrew the fan
Remove the 4 Torx 5 screws holding the fan and the MagSafe board of the MacBook Air in place.
The fan's lower screw is often hidden behind the display and MagSafe cables; move these two cables aside without pulling on them to reveal the screw
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Step 12 of 17 12. Disconnect the display cable
⚠️ The MacBook Air A1466 display cable is fragile and cannot be replaced, so proceed with care
Gently pull the cable downwards, using small side-to-side movements.
If the cable won't come out, push on the sides with the plastic tool (one side, then the other) -
Step 13 of 17 13. Disconnect the MagSafe board cable
Disconnect the cable from the logic board connector to free the MagSafe board.
The movement must be from left to right, never pulling upwards, as you risk ripping off the logic board connector
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Step 14 of 17 14. Free the display cable
Lift the MacBook Air's MagSafe board to completely free the display cable.
The cable should come away easily, without resistance
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Step 15 of 17 15. Remove the MagSafe board
Now that the MagSafe board is completely disconnected from the rest of the MacBook Air, remove it.
The board should come away easily; if not, check that no connector or screw remains
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Step 16 of 17 16. Disconnect the fan
Lift the locking flap on the fan flex cable connector to release it, then gently pull the flex cable to remove it.
⚠️ Caution: these locking flaps are extremely fragile, so take the utmost care and close the flap once the flex cable has been disconnected
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Step 17 of 17 17. Remove the fan
The MacBook Air fan should now be free of all screws and connectors.
Remove the fan; it should come away very easily