Apple Studio Display: Mechanical Issues
Troubleshooting stand or hinge issues
Troubleshooting a display that feels unusually warm, has unusual odors, or emits excessive noise, hum, or vibration
Identify issues
Read this article if you notice the display has any of the following issues:
Feels unusually warm
Emits a burning, smoky, or other unusual odor
Emits noise or vibration
Emits excessive fan noise
About fans and fan noise in your Apple product
If your issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Compare the display's operating temperature to a similar display.
Disconnect all peripheral devices from the display.
Move the display to a different location and plug the power cord into a different electrical outlet, then check whether any noise is eliminated.
Note: Noise may be related to interference from other electrical devices operating near the display or plugged into the same power outlet.
Ensure that the display is on a flat, hard surface in an area that doesn’t block vents, then check whether temperature issues are eliminated.
Inspect the display for indications of liquid spills. A liquid spill can short internal circuits and stop fan operation.
Run diagnostic tests
If your issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run the Display Resource Inspector (DRI) diagnostic suite to help isolate the cause of the issue.
Note: This diagnostic suite will check for the presence of USB interfaces and cameras, and will test functionality of the speakers, microphones, and camera.
Open and inspect the display
If your issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the display's repair manual to open and inspect the display. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Follow repair manual procedures to open the display.
Inspect internal components and the housing for indications of physical or liquid damage, contamination, or burned or darkened areas.
Inspect the area around the heat sink and each fan for accumulated dust or debris. Use an ESD-safe vacuum or compressed air to carefully remove dust and debris from the heat sink and fans. Ensure that each fan spins freely and is not obstructed.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If your issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the affected fan.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Troubleshooting stand or hinge issues
Identify issues
Loose stand or hinge
Bent or broken stand or hinge
Run manual tests
Run these manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
Refer to the user guide for display stand adjustment instructions and guidance.
Inspect the stand. Verify that the stand securely holds the display in its upright position without wobbling when placed on a flat, hard, and smooth surface.
Inspect the hinge mechanism. Adjust the display back and forth on its hinge, listening for noise. Check whether the hinge movement feels firm—not tight or loose—as it holds the display in position. The hinge should operate smoothly along its entire movement.
Place the display on a flat, solid surface. While another person applies downward pressure to the stand, face the display and firmly grasp both sides of the display housing, then gently attempt to rotate the entire housing left and right. The housing should not be able to move. Compare this state with a similar display model. If the housing rotates an abnormal amount, the mechanism mounts inside the housing may no longer be securely attached and may require an housing replacement.
Place the display on a flat, solid surface and check whether one side of the display appears to sit higher or lower than the other side.
Verify that both the stand and hinge operate properly and that they securely hold the display upright in all appropriate positions.
Replace the part
If your issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, consider replacing a part:
Replace the stand for stand issues such as wobbling, or if you find damage to the stand or hinge.
Replace the housing for issues such as the display being loose on its stand or tilted to one side.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.