Ensiem

Q: Macbook Air charging problems

Hi

My Macbook Air (2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3) running Mac OS 10.6.8 is having problems charging.

 

When plugging in the Mag Safe power lead (which I have replaced and is new) the Macbook Air either does not reognise the power supply or shows a green light on the adaptor or occasionally operates correctly.  Fiddling around with the adaptor sometimes helps.  Recently I have discovered that tilting the mag safe adaptor slightly allows it to work but only whilst it is tilted. 

 

Looking at the terminals (on the computer) the outside two of the five contacts looked dark and possibly coroded.  I have atempted to clean then and have least partially returned them to a 'copper' look.  Perhaps this has improved matters but has not cured the issue.

 

Has anybody got any suggestions or does it need to be sent for repair?

 

Ensiem

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jun 5, 2013 2:50 AM

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Q: Macbook Air charging problems

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  • Helpful answers

  • by dominic23,

    dominic23 dominic23 Jun 5, 2013 2:54 AM in response to Ensiem
    Level 8 (41,611 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 5, 2013 2:54 AM in response to Ensiem

    Reset SMC.     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

     

     

    Choose the method for:

    "Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".

     

    If this does not help, send it in for repair.

     

    Best.

  • by Ensiem,

    Ensiem Ensiem Jun 7, 2013 3:31 AM in response to dominic23
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Jun 7, 2013 3:31 AM in response to dominic23

    dominic23

     

    Thanks for this.  I carried out the instructions but I am not clear that the SMC reset actually happened. The Mac appeared to start fairly normally and at the normal speed.  The colour (color?) on the Mag safe did change.  No SMC reset message came up.

     

    The second instruction for the SMC reset is to plug in the power adaptor which of course is the problem.  Does the lack of a correctly installed power adaptor negate the reset?

     

    The problem still occurs so it is looking like the repair route.

     

    Ensiem

  • by Mykii,

    Mykii Mykii Jun 7, 2013 3:49 AM in response to Ensiem
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 7, 2013 3:49 AM in response to Ensiem

    Have you tried rotating/flipping the cable the other way? I know my MacBook Air gets a little finicky when I plug it in sometimes-- The light doesn't come on or start charging for a while. If I unplug it and rotate it, it works for me for the most part-- perhaps something weird with the contacts...

  • by jrathore,

    jrathore jrathore Oct 19, 2013 9:52 AM in response to Ensiem
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 19, 2013 9:52 AM in response to Ensiem

    This is very frustrating problem! I had the same problem within 6 months of purchasing my Macbook Air. The battery died down and charger would not charge. Apple took 1 week (yes1 week) to rectify these issues. After 1 year same issues have reappeared.

  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas Oct 19, 2013 10:08 AM in response to Ensiem
    Level 6 (14,806 points)
    Oct 19, 2013 10:08 AM in response to Ensiem

    It needs repair, if mechanical manipulation is NECESSARY  (as in your case) to temporarily 'solve' the problem, there is nothing in settings, etc. that can fix same.

     

     

    Contact Apple for service on your corroded charging contacts preventing charging.

     

     

    Question:   Do you charge this in a humid/ very humid place or environment?  Fast corrosion at charge transfer connectors exhibit this given sufficient humidity.

  • by shah63,

    shah63 shah63 Dec 11, 2015 11:20 PM in response to Ensiem
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 11, 2015 11:20 PM in response to Ensiem

    My charger was working and suddenly stopped working after upgrading to new version of OS. I have tried to reset SMC few times, but doesnt seems to be working. We download update to fix stuff, not to break stuff. I never expected this from Apple that upgrading to newer version will cause this problem and i have to pay for support and/or buy a new charger.

     

    Currently this machine runs directly on power adapter, so power adapter is working, but somehow system is not recognizing it and not charging at all. Here i am trying to include as much details as possible to help you understand the situation. At this point i have no hope and very disappointed with Apple brand.

     

    Screen Shot 2015-12-12 at 2.05.55 AM.png

    Screen Shot 2015-12-12 at 2.13.34 AM.png

    Battery Information:

     

      Model Information:

      Serial Number: xxx

      Manufacturer: SMP

      Device Name: bq20z451

      Pack Lot Code: 0

      PCB Lot Code: 0

      Firmware Version: 511

      Hardware Revision: 000a

      Cell Revision: 1200

      Charge Information:

      Charge Remaining (mAh): 0

      Fully Charged: No

      Charging: No

      Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 6318

      Health Information:

      Cycle Count: 167

      Condition: Normal

      Battery Installed: Yes

      Amperage (mA): 0

      Voltage (mV): 6807

     

    System Power Settings:

     

      AC Power:

      System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 25

      Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10

      Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 25

      Wake on AC Change: No

      Wake on Clamshell Open: Yes

      Wake on LAN: Yes

      AutoPowerOff Delay: 14400

      AutoPowerOff Enabled: 1

      Current Power Source: Yes

      DarkWakeBackgroundTasks: 1

      Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes

      Hibernate Mode: 3

      PrioritizeNetworkReachabilityOverSleep: 0

      Standby Delay: 10800

      Standby Enabled: 1

      Battery Power:

      System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 1

      Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10

      Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 2

      Wake on AC Change: No

      Wake on Clamshell Open: Yes

      AutoPowerOff Delay: 14400

      AutoPowerOff Enabled: 1

      DarkWakeBackgroundTasks: 0

      Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes

      Hibernate Mode: 3

      Reduce Brightness: Yes

      Standby Delay: 10800

      Standby Enabled: 1

     

    Hardware Configuration:

     

      UPS Installed: No

     

    AC Charger Information:

     

      Connected: Yes

      ID: 0x0000

      Revision: 0x0000

      Family: 0x0000

      Serial Number: 0x00000000

      Charging: No

  • by jennyfrito,

    jennyfrito jennyfrito Dec 12, 2015 3:01 PM in response to shah63
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 12, 2015 3:01 PM in response to shah63

    I am having the same problem after updating to El Capitan! My macbook air is also from mid 2013. I'm so frustrated, any help would be appreciated!

  • by CONGO70,

    CONGO70 CONGO70 Aug 10, 2016 8:00 AM in response to jennyfrito
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Aug 10, 2016 8:00 AM in response to jennyfrito

    I am having the same problem too.  Im running El Capitan! My macbook air is also from mid 2013.
    Sometimes, it charge but most of the time, it refuse to charge my macbook air.

     

    I was so frustrated and went to Singapore 2 authorised apple service centre. 
    1st service center said it is my battery problem, even though my battery shows healthy even using their in-house diagnostic program.  I asked what if even i change the battery, i still get the same problem, will i be compensated?

     

    went on to 2nd service centre, they spend 2 hrs looking and they have no idea how to solve the problem.

     

    does anyone has a solution to this problem?

  • by CONGO70,

    CONGO70 CONGO70 Aug 10, 2016 8:02 AM in response to dominic23
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Aug 10, 2016 8:02 AM in response to dominic23

    I tried the SMC reset..  it don't work. 

     

    i send in for repairs.  My local authorised service centre are unable to assist.