Apple MacBook Pro F108 Error Code Fix Guide

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What This Error Means

F108 means the MacBook Pro’s diagnostics detected a logic-board hardware fault, usually on a power or sensor line.

In practice the machine is failing its self-test, so it may not boot reliably, may crash under load, or may refuse to pass Apple Diagnostics.

  • Often shows only when you run Apple Diagnostics or a service tool, not as a big on-screen warning in macOS.
  • Common symptoms: no power, fan spins then dies, random shutdowns, or won’t charge properly.
  • This is a hardware flag, not a software “glitch” message.

Official Fix

Apple’s playbook for an F108-type code is simple: confirm it, then replace hardware.

  • Confirm the code.
    • Shut the MacBook Pro down.
    • Intel models: power on and immediately hold D until Apple Diagnostics starts.
    • Apple silicon models (M1/M2/M3): hold the power button until “Options” appears, then press Command + D.
    • Run the test. If you see F108 again, Apple treats it as a repeatable hardware fault.
  • Back up immediately. If the Mac still boots, copy your data off now (Time Machine or clone to an external drive).
  • Check coverage. Look up your serial on Apple’s coverage page and see if you’re under warranty or AppleCare.
  • Book service with Apple or an Authorized Service Provider.
    • They rerun diagnostics to confirm F108.
    • They don’t “repair” the bad section; they swap the failing assembly (usually the main logic board, sometimes I/O board or top case).
    • They run post-repair diagnostics to verify the code is gone.
  • Pay up or approve warranty repair. Out of warranty, this is usually billed as a logic-board or top-case replacement job.

Officially, there is no menu option, keystroke, or end-user setting that clears an F108 once it’s confirmed. Apple’s fix is hardware replacement.

The Technician’s Trick

What we do on the bench before calling it a dead board:

  • Hard-reset all the low-level controllers.
    • Power drain: shut down, unplug charger, hold the power button for 10–15 seconds, then release.
    • SMC reset (Intel only): shut down, then hold Shift (left) + Control (left) + Option (left) + Power for 10 seconds, release, then power on.
    • NVRAM/PRAM reset (Intel only): power on and immediately hold Option + Command + P + R for ~20 seconds, then release.
    • Apple silicon models don’t have SMC/NVRAM resets in the same way; a full shutdown for 30 seconds is the closest you get.
  • Run Apple Diagnostics again. If F108 disappears after the resets and the machine is stable, you dodged a bullet. If it comes back, keep going.
  • Open it up and reseat the basics (only if you’re comfortable and out of warranty).
    • Remove the bottom case screws and lift the cover.
    • Disconnect the battery connector from the logic board and wait 60 seconds.
    • Check for obvious liquid damage or corrosion, especially around the battery connector, I/O board, and fan area.
    • Gently reseat ribbon cables: trackpad/keyboard flex, I/O board flex, and fan connectors. A half-seated cable can trigger sensor and power faults.
    • Blow out dust from fans and vents; packed dust can cause overheat-related sensor trips.
  • Test with battery unplugged.
    • With the bottom still off, leave the battery disconnected.
    • Plug in the charger and try to power on.
    • If it boots fine on charger only and diagnostics now pass, the battery is suspect, not the board.
  • Reassemble and stress-test.
    • Reconnect the battery, reinstall the bottom cover, and boot.
    • Run Apple Diagnostics again. If F108 is gone and the Mac survives 20–30 minutes of heavy use without crashing, you’re probably safe to keep using it.
    • If F108 keeps coming back or the Mac still crashes, you’re looking at a real board-level fault: logic-board replacement or micro-solder repair.

If you’re not comfortable opening the machine or you see any sign of liquid damage, stop and hand it to a pro. For real F108 hardware faults, there’s no software magic; something on the board is actually bad.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Recent MacBook Pro (roughly <5 years old), no liquid damage, and a quote under about 40–50% of the cost of a comparable replacement.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: 5–7 years old or light liquid damage; logic-board/top-case quotes in the 50–70% of replacement range, or you rely on it daily and downtime is expensive.
  • ❌ Replace: 7+ years old, heavy liquid or corrosion, multiple issues (battery + keyboard + F108), or any repair quote that’s close to the price of a good used or entry-level new MacBook.

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