Home/ Repair guides/ MacBook Air 15" 2023 Right Speaker Replacement

Official iFixit API visual reference

MacBook Air 15" 2023 Right Speaker Replacement

Use this guide to replace the right speaker in...

iFixit Library MacBook Air 15" 2023 Moderate 30 - 45 minutes Guide 162584

Licensed iFixit integration

This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.

Guide overview

Before you begin

Use this guide to replace the right speaker in your MacBook Air 15" 2023. You may need to replace the speaker if it's making distorted sound, crackling noises, or no sound at all. Note: The right speaker is on the same side as the headphone jack.

Step 1

Prepare your Macbook Air for disassembly

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Allow your MacBook's battery to drain below 25% before starting this repair—a charged battery may catch fire if damaged.
Unplug all cables and fully power off your MacBook.
Close the display and lay your MacBook upside down. Keep your laptop closed until you've physically disconnected the battery.

Step 2

Unfasten the lower case

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 3IP Torx Plus Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 4IP Torx Plus Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Use a P5 pentalobe screwdriver to remove the four 6.4 mm‑long screws securing the lower case.

Step 3

Insert an opening pick

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Apply a suction handle to the center of the lower case's front edge.
Pull up on the suction handle to create a gap between the lower case and the frame.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.

Step 4

Release the snapping clips

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

During the next two steps you'll feel and hear six snapping clips release. If a clip doesn't release, insert your opening pick farther and try again.
Slide the pick to the bottom right corner to release the first clip.
Slide the pick around the corner and up the right edge to release the next two clips.

Step 5

Repair step

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Insert the opening pick in the original gap created with the suction handle.
Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner and up the left edge to release the three remaining snapping clips.

Step 6

Release the sliding tabs

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Four sliding tabs along the back edge of the MacBook firmly secure the lower case. Separating these tabs requires a lot of force—consider using gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the lower case.
Keep the lower case flat to the frame and firmly slide it straight away from the back edge, one corner at a time, to disengage the sliding tabs.
Don't pull up until the cover is completely separated.

Step 7

Remove the lower case

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 3IP Torx Plus Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 4IP Torx Plus Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Remove the lower case.
During reassembly:
Set the lower case in place and align the sliding tabs with the screw heads they slide over. Press down and slide the lower case toward the back edge to engage the tabs—it'll stop sliding as the tabs engage.
When one side is engaged, it may push the other out of alignment. Check both sides as you push, there should be no gap along the back edge.
Once the lower case is flush with the frame, press down firmly along the perimeter to engage the six snapping clips.
You'll hear and feel a distinct click as each clip snaps into place.

Step 8

Remove the battery connector cover tape

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use blunt nose tweezers or your fingers to remove the piece of tape covering the battery connector cover.
During reassembly, use the leftover adhesive to secure the tape to the cover.

Step 9

Remove the battery connector cover

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 3IP Torx Plus Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 4IP Torx Plus Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use a 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver to remove the two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the battery connector cover.
Remove the cover.

Step 10

Disconnect the battery

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use an opening pick to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.
To reconnect a press connector, align it over the socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place, then press down on the other side. It might take a few tries to align the connector.

Step 11

Unfasten the speaker cable and hinge covers

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 3IP Torx Plus Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 4IP Torx Plus Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

The right speaker will be on your left-hand side when working on the MacBook, as it's laying upside down.
Use a 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver to remove the following screws:
Two 2.6 mm‑long screws securing the left hinge cover
Two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the speaker cable cover

Step 12

Remove the covers

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Remove the speaker cable cover.

Step 13

Repair step

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 3IP Torx Plus Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Insert the point of a spudger into one of the left hinge cover's screw holes.
Push the hinge cover away from the back edge to dislodge it.
Remove the hinge cover.

Step 14

Disconnect the right speaker

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the right speaker press connector.

Step 15

Unfasten the right speaker

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 3IP Torx Plus Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 4IP Torx Plus Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Remove the three screws securing the right speaker:
One 5.5 mm‑long 4IP Torx Plus screw
One 2.7 mm‑long 4IP Torx Plus screw
One 3.5 mm‑long T6 Torx screw

Step 16

Remove the right speaker

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Make sure the cable on the top right edge of the speaker doesn't get caught on the logic board, as it may tear.
Lift the speaker's left edge over the frame and slide it to the left to remove it.
During reassembly, slide the speaker cable under the left edge of the antenna bar assembly before laying the speaker in its recess.