Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iMac 27" - noticed some stains/clouding on screen
- Thread starter vddobrev
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Possible, but I wouldn't say easy or even recommended.
I wish I knew what causes this. As mentioned earlier in this thread, I had a panel replaced once on a Late 2013 iMac under AppleCare and (knock on wood) this has never reoccured since on either that machine or the 2017 iMac that replaced it.
We will see how easy it is in year or two when this becomes more obvious on my iMac.
I would say it is recommended because this display will be scraped either way so why not try to save it.
No need to be concerned about it not being dust proof anymore either.
It is hard to calculate what percentage of iMacs have this problem, also how many users do not see this or simply do not care, but there is many people talking about their third display replacement having the same issue.
It is dust, which is really unfortunate as this display is not meant to be opened and cleaned. Very sad as there is no solution to this, even new iMacs will get out of warranty in 3 years and this will still exist as a problem.
This is really a beautiful device, however it is very sad that the best Mac experience for me personally was with my trustworthy Hackintosh.
Last edited:
I bought an iMac Pro in 2017 that started getting dust under the screen in the bottom corners. Apple replaced the display. Roughly a year later the problem has started appearing again. The computer is used in a very clean design studio. I can only deduce that there is a fundamental design flaw with these machines that allows heat or dust from the cooling system to damage the display. Has anyone heard of a more long-term solution rather than another display replacement?
I feel your pain. I had the exact same experience with a 2015 iMac. The screen got dust in the lower corners after about 1 year 2 months. Screen was replaced under warranty. Some 8 months after that, the dust started to re-appear. I sold the iMac, and purchased a Mac Pro 2013. This was exactly when the iMac Pro came out, but after my experience, will never purchase an iMac again.
I cannot understand how this issue is still not solved, even more so on an iMac Pro!
Yesterday was 2 years since I had my screen replaced because of the same problem. (Knock on Wood) the problem has not come back.
Apple needs to solve this problem because it's been going on too long even with the new iMacs.
Apple needs to solve this problem because it's been going on too long even with the new iMacs.
It's bad form that this has been an issue with iMacs for many years. Even worse that it is affecting iMac Pros too. I will get Apple to replace the screen again, but of course it will come back in a year or so. A "pro" machine being pushed at the graphics industry that has a fundamental design flaw that ruins the display is a very bad start to Apple's "return to the professional users".
Is it widely agreed that this issue is dust getting under the glass, rather than heat damage? If it is dust, is it assumed that it is dust leaking from the cooling system?
Is it widely agreed that this issue is dust getting under the glass, rather than heat damage? If it is dust, is it assumed that it is dust leaking from the cooling system?
Just chiming in to say that this same problem has now happened with my 2017 iMac Pro. I'm not seeing the iMac Pro listed in the various threads online. Lower right corner has gray smudgy sort of fractal pattern behind glass. It's a crazy design flaw if this has been happening on iMacs for nearly 10 years now. Surprised there isn't a class action forcing apple to repair any/all machines that have this occur. I've still got several months of AppleCare, but can't be without the machine for 15 days like someone experienced above. :-(
You can always buy a new one and use it for 14 days and return it while the other one is in for service.. maybe not the most ethical idea but for the prices of these machines I'd do it
hi, I have an old 2010 27inch iMac. Its worked lovely for the last 10 years. We needed another computer. .we decided to buy a 2011 27 inch iMac on eBay. its a popular market - its taken a while to get one. Anyway, got one, for about £300, it arrived today. There is some sort of powder on the bottom left hand side of the screen. You only see it when the iMac is switched off. When it is on, you don't see a problem. Nothing was mentioned about this "dust" in the ebay ad. I don't mind if thats as bad as it gets. Im trying to work out if its going to get worse and I should reject it as containing a defect not pointed out. all the posts above sound like what I've got. But I can't work out if its likely to get worse. Any thoughts? What a shame. My 2010 iMac is great ....
If it sounds like all the above posts including My Post it does get worse, at least my computer did. It look like my marks started very small and every week it grew a little larger. (Knock on wood) after Apple replaced my screen a few years ago it's still looking good, no marks.
I had 4 screens replaced twice within apple care period twice outside I had to really fight to get it done outside of the apple care it’s a common problem. Looking forward to getting the new iMac with apple silicone next year hopefully the redesign with have this issue as the screen won’t have a gap where dust gets into. Plus the new apple silicon machine might be fanless so dust won’t be sucked into to machine
I've had the same issue (lower left and righthand corner) on my iMac Retina 21.5-inch 2017, bought in June 2017. Although I didn't have Apple Care, display and various other components (speakers, fan, logic board) have been replaced free of charge by the Apple Store Genius Bar 3 (three!) times under EU Consumer Law. However, last time the local genius suggested that my iMac was in 'extremely dusty room' and that Apple was not able to replace the display forever.
My iMac is in the living room, which is as clean (or dirty if you wish) as the average living room. Vacuumcleaned every week, no pets, no smoking.
After each repair, the stains returned after a few months. Last repair was in December 2019, stains started returning spring 2020 and now they look like this:
Last week, I contacted Apple Support (Netherlands) on this issue and after I told them I might just have a 'Monday morning' machine, Apple agreed on that and suggested to replace my 2017 iMac by a 2019 iMac free of charge - which is on its way as we speak. I have to return my 2017 iMac to Apple. Problem solved, I hope. Hopefully, the stains will not appear on my new 2019 iMac... #fingerscrossed
My iMac is in the living room, which is as clean (or dirty if you wish) as the average living room. Vacuumcleaned every week, no pets, no smoking.
After each repair, the stains returned after a few months. Last repair was in December 2019, stains started returning spring 2020 and now they look like this:
Last week, I contacted Apple Support (Netherlands) on this issue and after I told them I might just have a 'Monday morning' machine, Apple agreed on that and suggested to replace my 2017 iMac by a 2019 iMac free of charge - which is on its way as we speak
. I have to return my 2017 iMac to Apple. Problem solved, I hope. Hopefully, the stains will not appear on my new 2019 iMac... #fingerscrossed
Still no stains on my 27 inch after Apple Care replaced the screen. (Fingers & Toes Crossed / knock on wood)
I still believe my screen was defective or putting it together at the factory was defective in some way. Over 2 years now in the same room condition and no stains. I will not buy another 27 inch until Apple gets this defect corrected.
Good luck @StephenLebon on your new iMac. Is the new iMac going to be brand new or refurbished?
I still can't believe it, but it's going to be brand new. They also made a reservation on my credit card, in case I don't return the old one...
You won't believe it... but also on my brand-new machine (received early December 2020) the stains are coming back...
Again, my living room is clean, no pets, no smoking. What is wrong with either my house or the iMac?
Does someone have an advise on how to address this to Apple? They will almost certainly blame me that it's dust in my house causing this...
Again, my living room is clean, no pets, no smoking. What is wrong with either my house or the iMac?
Does someone have an advise on how to address this to Apple? They will almost certainly blame me that it's dust in my house causing this...
That is crap, if you have the means, buy an new one, send the old one to be repaired and return the new one. 14 days no questions asked, at least it would minimize your down time.
Edit: I wouldn't suggest this extreme method if they offered you a way to mitigate your down time because of their failed design.
This is my First and Last 27 inch iMac. I will not buy another one. If this iMac goes down, I'm going back to Windows. If Apple can't fix a flaw that has been going on for over 5 + years, that is not right for the money we pay for the machine. Truly Unbelievable.
Humidity varies between 35 to 45% (with a humidifier).
I keep wondering what causes this - even on my brand-new machine. First time I went to the Genius Bar with my old machine, the genius thought the stains might possibly be caused extreme heat inside. By switching on the fan, my iMac lets me know he has to work hard sometimes, with 3 user accounts, all with open apps like MS Office, iMovie, Photos etc.
It is also weird that last summer I bought a second hand iMac Retina 21.5-inch from 2015, that doesn't show stains so far.
I believe it's one of three things or all:
- Faulty screen the way it's made
- Faulty workmanship when putting the Mac together when they are mass produced.
- When being assembled, what were the surroundings, dusty, damp......
I still see no black smudges on the new screen Apple put in over 2 years ago. I hope it stays that way.
Yup had same situation 4 screens replaced too. Two under apples care two outside, again had to fight hard to get them replaced free outside the apple care. I have a late 2012 machine. Waiting on new iMacs hoping they will not allow dust to get sucked in by the fans. Definitely a design fault and would not recommend anyone getting the current machines because of this.