Remove bug under glass display of 2013 iMac

Hello Dan, thanks for your quick reply! Unfortunately, I live in Germany, where official Apple Stores are rare, and I already voided my guarantee by installing an aftermarket SSD (I was fully aware of that, of course). I just didn't expect I will ever experience this kind of "bug."

I was thinking of the following: If I remove the display unit from the iMac, perhaps it would be possible to use a vacuum cleaner and use it at every little opening of the assembly. However, detailed shots of the display unit itself are rare, and I wouldn't want the hassle of opening the iMac (a tedious project, as you probably know) just to find out that this won't work. Instead, I'd just bite in the sour "apple" and order a new display unit completely.

What would you say about my 3rd option? Do you think a dead bug will decompose after some time in this environment?

I wouldn't give up that quickly! I would still make the effort to get to at least a local Apple authorized service center. Adding a SSD in its self doesn't void an extended warranty condition! Germany has some strong consumer laws leverage them!

The display is fully sealed, there is no 'hole' to vacuum or blow air into to get it out. The best you could do is maybe shake it to get the bug to fall to the bottom to be less noticeable. As to decomposing you have a mummified bug nothing more will happen with the remains.

Only option is replace the display assembly if it is a distraction. Sorry I wish I had better news.

Would you still try to contact Apple even if the iMac is already out of warranty? Out of Apple's 1 year warranty, and also out of Germany's consumer warranty law.

I find it a little confusing whether those kind of iMac displays are supposed to be fully sealed or not---some people say there's no way something can get into it, and if there really appears something inbetween, then that's a production error/infestation, and it would be Apple's fault. Others say that a small bug could easily snuck into even through the narrowest part (for instance, the place where the cables come out).

My problem is that I don't have a display unit lying around to inspect it by myself, and I can't just open my iMac to take a quick look since I still need it for work. I guess I could still shaking the display, like you mentioned. Would you recommend to remove the display first or should it also work by gently shaking the whole iMac? (Once again, I try to avoid unnecessarily opening the iMac.)

Anyways, thanks for listening!

Yes! Push Apple an 'Extended Warranty' is for after the normal warranty period has ended when Apple discovers (or pushed) they had an Opps! with a part, thats is the case here.

Different series had different construction methods. The 'Thin Series' was the start of the sealed display. The older 2011 model as an example was the last separate cover glass 21.5" model. If you had this series you could remove the cover glass and clean the bug off with no issues. Just not possible here.

OK, is there any possible holes a bug could get though? Nope! Not one! Apple did a VERY good job in sealing it ;-{

Apple used an open cell foam tape so the air could move in and out thru the tiny pores of the foam that way the air pressure would be equalized. Review this IFIXIT guide: iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2638 Display Replacement while not easy to see you can get an idea how thin the display unit is. Now look at this: iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement note the differences.

I should point out you are not the first to encounter this issue! Others have and all had the display replaced for free!

As you are late in the game that might be an issue here, at worst you might need to pay the standard bench fee and Apple would cover the cost of the display.

For reference: iMac LCD Display Assembly, 21.5inch Late 2013 (A1418) Apple P/N 661-7513