What This Error Means
On Apple MacBook Pro, code F107 generally means a cooling fan speed/sensor fault, usually the left (Fan 1) not reporting correctly.
Translation: the fan isn’t spinning or being read properly, so the Mac overheats or runs fans at full blast and may shut down under load.
Official Fix
Apple’s playbook is simple: rule out dust and firmware, then replace the bad fan or logic board.
- Shut the MacBook Pro down, unplug the charger, and let it cool for at least 10 minutes.
- Check every vent and grill (hinge area, sides, bottom) for dust, pet hair, or tape blocking airflow; gently clear with a soft brush or low‑power vacuum at a distance.
- Update macOS to the latest version your machine supports; this also pulls the latest firmware and fan control profiles.
- Reset the SMC (Intel models only):
- T2 models (2018–2020): Shut down, then hold Right Shift + Left Option + Left Control for 7 seconds, keep holding and add Power for another 7 seconds, release, wait 10 seconds, then power on.
- Older Intel: Shut down, then press and hold Left Shift + Left Control + Left Option + Power for 10 seconds, release, then power on.
- Run Apple Diagnostics again: hold the power button at startup on Apple silicon or hold the D key on Intel until the diagnostics screen appears; confirm F107 repeats.
- If F107 still shows, Apple’s official answer is hardware service: book Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider to replace the failing fan assembly and, if needed, the logic board.
The Technician’s Trick
What a bench tech actually does before swapping a whole board.
- If you’re under Apple warranty or AppleCare: stop here and let Apple handle it; opening the case can give them an excuse to say no.
- Pop the bottom cover and clear the junk:
- Remove the Pentalobe screws, lift the bottom cover carefully.
- Hold the fan blades still with a plastic tool or cotton swab so you don’t overspin them.
- Use short bursts of compressed air from both sides of the fan and heatsink to blow out dust; don’t let the fan free‑wheel like a turbine.
- Check the fan by hand:
- Spin it gently with a finger. It should turn smoothly and coast a bit.
- If it feels gritty, catches, or barely moves, the fan is done. Plan on replacement.
- Reseat the fan connector:
- Locate the fan cable where it plugs into the logic board.
- Carefully pop it straight up to disconnect, then push it straight back down until fully seated.
- A half‑loose connector is a classic cause of F‑series fan codes after a previous repair or drop.
- Test with fan‑monitor software:
- Reinstall the bottom cover loosely, boot into macOS, and use a tool like Macs Fan Control or TG Pro to read fan RPM.
- If the fan shows 0 RPM or jumps around wildly while the Mac is clearly trying to spin it, the fan itself is bad.
- If RPM looks normal but you still get F107, you’re looking at a sensor or logic board issue.
- Swap the fan before the board:
- Remove the fan screws, disconnect the cable, drop in a known‑good replacement fan, and reassemble.
- Run Apple Diagnostics again. If F107 disappears, you’re done for cheap. If it stays, the fault is on the logic board fan driver/sensor line.
Bottom line from the field: nine times out of ten, F107 is a dirty or dying fan, not a cursed logic board.
Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)
- ✅ Fix: Machine is under 6–7 years old, runs fine otherwise, and a fan swap quote is under about $200 (or you can DIY for far less).
- ⚠️ Debatable: 7–9 years old, multiple issues (battery weak, ports flaky), and shop is talking $250–$400 because they want to replace the whole top case or logic board.
- ❌ Replace: 9+ years old, liquid damage history, or anyone quotes you more than half the cost of a solid used/refurb MacBook Pro for fan/board work.
Parts You Might Need
- Left cooling fan assembly (model‑specific) – Find Left cooling fan assembly on Amazon
- Right cooling fan assembly (for dual‑fan models) – Find Right cooling fan assembly on Amazon
- Pentalobe P5 screwdriver – Find Pentalobe P5 screwdriver on Amazon
- Torx T5 screwdriver – Find Torx T5 screwdriver on Amazon
- Thermal paste (if you decide to pull the heatsink while you are in there) – Find Thermal paste on Amazon
- Compressed air duster – Find Compressed air duster on Amazon
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