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Q: Macbook Air video lags when unplugged (running off battery)

Hi. I have a 2012 Macbook Air. The Macbook works perfectly fine when plugged in, but the minute I unplug it, whatever video I might be streaming suddenly freezes, even if sometimes the audio still plays. Weird. The battery works, although it runs out in less than an hour. It has a cycle count of 657. The health of the battery is diagnosed as "good". Does anyone know why this is happening and what I can do about it?

Thanks.

Posted on Sep 13, 2016 4:29 PM

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Q: Macbook Air video lags when unplugged (running off battery)

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  • by K Shaffer,Helpful

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Sep 13, 2016 9:11 PM in response to phenomenalworld!
    Level 6 (14,345 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 13, 2016 9:11 PM in response to phenomenalworld!

    Apparently the MacBook Air is rationing power from the battery across the

    entirety of GPU, CPU, wireless internet, any open applications, & demands

    of Mac OS X itself; so many unseen things are going on in the background.

     

    Have you looked into the Power and battery system profile specifications

    where the battery situation is spelled-out in milli-amphour remaining charge

    and expected full charge capacities?

     

    I'd suspect the battery may be in need of replacement; also if SSD drive

    is getting full of stored content, the effort it takes the system to find space

    for swap files and read/write then to the storage drive, is taxing your MB/Air.

     

    Perhaps an upgrade of the hard drive, (an SSD) capacity is something to check

    into (if possible to upgrade) or just be sure to not have much stored onboard.

    A replacement may be available from OWC macsales, among others.

     

    Also be sure the MagSafe connectors are clean and free of debris in either side

    of the power adapter and the DC-in Board (in computer connection.)

     

    For details about portable notebook batteries, & magsafe chargers:

    • About Mac notebook batteries - Apple Support

    • Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters - Apple Support

     

    If yours is an 11-inch model, the total battery life cycles expected of it are less

    than the larger 13-inch model (with larger capacity battery + demand) so the

    count of 657 (of max. 1,000) can be diminished if the computer has ever been

    let run until the battery is dead. ~Or if the environment conditions of storage or

    usage, have marginalized the ability of the computer to function within specs.

     

    • Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

    • How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

     

    The SMC reset (and sometimes NVRAM reset) may help with the battery power

    management in general; but the battery may be suspect. The load on the battery

    includes everything in the MacBook Air; so display brightness, audio volume,

    the use of Wi-Fi, other applications running in background; also antivirus or other

    scanning software running needlessly in background, using up CPU cycles. The

    battery can be getting a workout. More so if you run games or other active content.

     

    You could look into the Activity Monitor to check the various items under your control

    that may be using resources; all that consume power are suspect. Some of them are

    more in your control than others; the system manages several outside your access.

     

    An Etrecheck report generated while the unit is running under battery, and yet another

    when the unit is running on AC power, may be helpful. If nothing else, to see what is

    installed in the computer and its running configuration specs. The load may tell a tale.

    http://etrecheck.com/#about

     

    There also may be adware or other software that affects the performance of the Mac;

    this can include antivirus, and if cleaning apps have been run, they can damage OS X.

     

    A free to use app formerly known as 'adware medic' now from malwarebytes, may help:

    •Malwarebytes | Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac

    https://www.malwarebytes.com/antimalware/mac/

    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (was AdwareMedic) helps you get your Mac experience back.

     

    Hard to say exactly what is going on. - If it were mine, I'd be looking into various details.

  • by phenomenalworld!,

    phenomenalworld! phenomenalworld! Sep 13, 2016 9:13 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 2 (229 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 13, 2016 9:13 PM in response to K Shaffer

    this is an exceptionally impressive reply chockfull of information. thank you.

    SSD has lots of room.

    just downloaded & ran anti-malware but there are no “threats”.

    MagSafe connectors are clean and free of debris .

    it’s a 13 inch model, so 657 cycle count shouldn’t be too taxing, although the battery does have a short life by now (an hour at best).

    did an smc reset. same issue prevails.

     

    “Have you looked into the Power and battery system profile specifications

    where the battery situation is spelled-out in milli-amphour remaining charge

    and expected full charge capacities?”

    this sounds like chines to me. can you expound/clarify?

    activity monitor doesn’t show anything unusual s’far as i can tell.

    doesn’t sound like i’d be able to make sense of a “Etrecheck report”.

     

    just a guess, but i’m thinking it’s probably the battery. but i’d hate to invest in buying a new one only to find i’m wrong…

  • by phenomenalworld!,

    phenomenalworld! phenomenalworld! Sep 13, 2016 9:30 PM in response to phenomenalworld!
    Level 2 (229 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 13, 2016 9:30 PM in response to phenomenalworld!

    i will add this important detail: even though the battery says charged at 100%, it can only take 5 minutes running video before the mac suddenly dies - goes black - without warning. i have to restrat it then. again, i have no problems with it when plugged in.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 14, 2016 5:57 AM in response to phenomenalworld!
    Level 8 (49,110 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 14, 2016 5:57 AM in response to phenomenalworld!

    Have Apple replace your Mac's battery.

     

    Mac notebooks Service Pricing - Apple Support

  • by K Shaffer,Solvedanswer

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Sep 15, 2016 11:33 PM in response to phenomenalworld!
    Level 6 (14,345 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 15, 2016 11:33 PM in response to phenomenalworld!

    The battery is considered to be a "consumable" in the portable computer

    & like many other devices that use them, the price to upkeep does involve

    the purchase of a replacement. And like fresh vegetables, don't have a

    long shelf-life. Expect to gain a year or maybe more, battery service life.

    Perhaps more if you follow the details in 'about batteries' support article.

     

    Note the links provided above (repeated here) because the battery upkeep

    is something you can do before the MacBook power runs flat out. Just that

    alone, can cause the batteries to not recover their fuller potential later on.

     

    Important details about portable notebook batteries, & magsafe chargers:

    • About Mac notebook batteries - Apple Support

    • Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters - Apple Support

     

    Note the links in my previous post to locate Apple store with genius, or to

    contact an Authorized Apple (often independent) service provider. Expect

    a replacement battery may cost you in the approximate range of $130 +/-.

    The Genius appointment can save you time, especially if you inquire of the

    Store directly, if they actually have the battery available. Be sure when you

    set the appointment, your purpose states: battery replacement + diagnosis.

     

    Good luck & happy trails!

  • by phenomenalworld!,

    phenomenalworld! phenomenalworld! Sep 14, 2016 5:09 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 2 (229 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 14, 2016 5:09 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Well then, I will go for a new battery. Seems the most obvious culprit. And I'll take heed of the ways to optimize battery life. Thanks much for your input.