MacBook Battery Icon Shows X, menu says "no batteries installed"

Hello, I'm fixing in a client's MacBook 13" (white) 2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM. It is out of warranty now. I am having the same issue. Here's what I've tried and found out so far:

- Macbook only runs on power adapter... when unplugged it shuts down immediately. Does not run on battery.
- Battery works in another MacBook just fine; 2nd MB's good battery has same issue in the broken MacBook, so I'm thinking it isn't a bad battery issue.
- Tested multiple magsafe power adapters; all react the same way... green light, no orange to signal charging. Battery indicator in top right tool bar (by clock) shows an "X" in the icon. Clicking on the menu say: "No Batteries Available"
- reset the SMC = did not fix issue
- reset the PRAM = did not fix issue
- reseated battery in case = did not fix issue
- checked magsafe adapter for debris, bent/missing pins, etc. = did not fix issue
- purchased and installed a new Battery Connector (Energy Star MacBook) = did not fix issue
- updated battery firmware to 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 = did not fix issue

Next Troubleshooting Things to Try: (please let me know if any are unnecessary)
1) place battery in refrigerator for 1 hour to "reset" it...then try replacing in MB and connect power adapter. I have seen one person say this fixed his MB battery X issue.
2) call Apple for replacement battery (not sure it will help as my good MB battery doesn't work in this MB either, and the battery from the broken MB works fine in the good MB)
3) purchase and install new MacBook DC-in board (I've done this on an iBook before), which might help the MB charge the battery... but seems like if the DC-in board was broken now, that it would not provide power at all.
4) replace logic board (ugh.. at $800+ it's best to just suggest a new MacBook for my client)

Please let me know if you think of any other ideas or have a solution suggestion to this problem. Thanks.

Brian Hernandez
Photographer, Designer, Mac Consultant
Mac Support & Education for the Walla Walla Valley
http://vizualgraphix.com

Mac Pro 2 x 3.0ghz Xeon (8-core), Mac OS X (10.5.7), 8GB RAM, 3TB of Hard Drives

Posted on Aug 25, 2009 11:45 PM

51 replies

Jan 10, 2010 8:53 PM in response to jazzhand

wow you are lucky! I will have to do the same thing you did, because it is totally unfair what they are doing to me! I would understand if my insurance had expired, but i still have a month or so.

jazzhand

Level 1

10 points

Jan 11, 2010 2:04 AM in response to MoosePaw

I post here as soon as I get my machine back. They said it will be 7 to 10 days and I am sending it today.

my best,
Joe

jazzhand

Level 1

10 points

Jan 13, 2010 1:44 PM in response to MoosePaw

Sent it in on monday, got it back this morning. Not the logic board, but some connector. No charge at all! So, I wound up with a brand new battery and a repair and less than 3 days without my computer!

jazzhand

Level 1

10 points

Jan 13, 2010 3:05 PM in response to jazzhand

Forget what I said. My computer still has the same problem.

jazzhand

Level 1

10 points

Jan 14, 2010 2:25 AM in response to jazzhand

Update:

I think they completely ignored the notes left from my phone conversation with supervisor. I made it clear that the battery connector had already been replaced and the computer worked fine for one day, then the x came back. I checked the repair status mid day yesterday and it seemed odd that they fixed it so quickly. Clearly they did not thoroughly investigate whether there was anything else wrong. When I spoke to apple yesterday afternoon, they said they had to "test" it for six hours before sending it back. I think the testing amounted to leaving it on for six hours. Exactly what happened when I went to the genius bar and they replaced the same part. It worked fine for a day. I spent an hour on the phone with a supervisor last night. I have to send it back. He promised no charge and they would fix the problem. We shall see.

MoosePaw

Level 1

0 points

Jan 28, 2010 10:04 AM in response to jazzhand

Any news?

jazzhand

Level 1

10 points

Jan 29, 2010 2:32 AM in response to MoosePaw

Well, the "X" dissappeared and has not returned. I have used the computer on and off the battery and the problem seems to have gone away. I called and spoke to the supervisor who helped me and we decided to wait and see if it returns. Perhaps it was some anomaly. He said if it comes back after the 30 days that I can use the return label, he would just send me another return label.

MoosePaw

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2010 1:36 PM in response to jazzhand

Is this after the logic board replacement, or something else?

jazzhand

Level 1

10 points

Jan 29, 2010 1:41 PM in response to MoosePaw

No, sorry if I was not clear. The "X" disappeared by itself, I never sent it in. I discussed this with the supervisor and wondered if I should just wait and see. He said I could always send it in if it reappears.

thanks
Joe

MoosePaw

Level 1

0 points

Feb 13, 2010 9:25 PM in response to jazzhand

Ok, I just went into the apple store and they said it's most likely the battery connector or the logic board. Serivce fee is 135$, regardless of part. Battery connector is 10$, logic board around 200-500$. I think I'm going to manually install the battery connector, it seems like a simple operation. I'm hoping it will work! I'll be sure to post if it works.

Mar 5, 2010 8:28 AM in response to vizualgraphix

I am in the same position. Add me to the list of those afflicted by MacBook battery problems. I have an appointment at the Genius Bar tomorrow. Any suggestions?

Mar 5, 2010 12:58 PM in response to Spikedsoymilk

Oh man. I'm so bummed. I, too, have the unfortunate X on my battery icon. I hoped it was a simple fix and after two days of internet searching, I can see this is a HUGE problem that hasn't been fixed for years. WHAT IS GOING ON, MAC????

This is my first Mac and I won't be buying another. Back to PC.

Spikedsoymilk, can you update me on your appointment??

Mar 9, 2010 4:14 PM in response to vizualgraphix

My situation: MacBook mid-2007, battery with 45 cycles.

For around one year, with increasing frequency in the last two months, I've had issues with the battery and brutal shutting-downs.

My MacBook is almost always plugged to the AC adaptator. When I wake up my computer from a long sleep (generally more than four or five hours), I get the "X" mark on the battery. I remove the battery from its bay, replug it and it goes back to normal for a while, displaying the actual charge.

Sometimes, the "X" comes back, sometimes I get a "0%" charge indication, sometimes I get a "No current charge" (or whatever it is in English) mention. In the last two cases, removing the battery leads usually to the Mac shutting down at once, with the sound of the vents being stopped.

Then, when I try to reboot with the battery on, I get the sound but the computer shuts down just after that.

Today, after two visits to the Genius Bar, I got my battery changed. The first guy had diagnosed that the battery was not perfectly flat, which might have something to do with the fact I spent sometimes two months without emptying it entirely.

The new battery (or the fact that I'm currently calibrating it) has actually worsened the issue. My computer has shut down four or five times since the replacement, whether the transformer was plugged or not. I actually got the shut down while typing this message.

Now, it leaves two options: the battery connector or the logic board.

Mar 10, 2010 2:24 PM in response to tgarland72

I just wanted to post my update...

I went to the genius bar today and although my Macbook is out of warranty, they replaced my battery with no questions asked. The battery is now happily charging and I have my fingers crossed that it lasts. If anything changes, I'll be sure to post again.

Mar 22, 2010 10:30 PM in response to tgarland72

I have the same problem.
I hope that apple addresses this problem, knowing that it is so prevalent.

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MacBook Battery Icon Shows X, menu says "no batteries installed"