MacBook Air randomly sleeps when plugged in. Any fix for this?

Question

MacBook Air randomly sleeps when plugged in. Any fix for this?

I'm not sure what's causing it, but my MacBook Air randomly and sometimes frequently goes to sleep only when plugged in. I'll go through periods where it won't do that at all (for months), and then periods when it will start acting up again.

I have tried resetting the SMC. There are no magnetic items near the "sweet spot" people mention, or anywhere near my laptop. My MagSafe is a little old and maybe faulty, but I've tried using multiple ones I have, but the problem persists. I'm not running many programs at once that could cause some sort of system overload.

Here are details for my MacBook Air:

MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013)

Running on macOS Catalina 10.15.2

Last 4 digits of serial number: F5V7

20GB available space on HDD

MacBook Air

Posted on Dec 13, 2019 8:00 AM

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Answer 1

K Shaffer

Level 8

36,022 points

Dec 13, 2019 11:54 AM in response to ShiningSeraph

You may see, if through re-set of NVRAM ~ if this issue decreases in frequency.

Sometimes items that should be improved via SMC reset, aren't; so try this.

• Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

The details are important; sometimes with this reset, it helps to cycle it 2 or 3x.

• Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe Adapters - Apple Support

• About Mac notebook batteries - Apple Support

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Answer 2

K Shaffer

Level 8

36,022 points

Dec 14, 2019 1:59 AM in response to ShiningSeraph

Seems the DC-in Board (may go by another name; the MB/Air has different inner power component)

may have failed. If you haven't cleaned the two halves of the MagSafe (port and charger) to inspect

and see if those 'spring-loaded contact pins' work freely, ~ that may be part of the problem..

{..There wasn't anything in those links for MagSafe adapter, or the Battery support articles to help.?}

The I/O Board, part that replaces power port in MacBook Air, is separate from Logic board. Those

ifixit guides show those, to see they how they differ than MacBook Pro, or 13" MacBook. Easy for tech

to replace; or a skilled person may follow 'found online' instructions for successful DIY.

The symptom you have with your MagSafe is not normal and implies service is required.

I've two MacBooks: Early 2006 (first 1.1) w/ 1.83GHz coreduo; and Mid-2012 MB/Pro 13-in. w/

Mojave 10.14.6. ~ Both have MagSafe power connectors; & when kept clean, they work well.

{..And my older mid-2005 iBook G4 still works fine, looks near new; runs Tiger & TenFourFox..}

Hint: what's inside the MacBook/Air 13-inch mid-2013 model for additional reference?!

..You may seek authorized Apple service &/or Store genius appointment for further help..

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Answer 3

Dec 13, 2019 2:53 PM in response to K Shaffer

Unfortunately, this didn't seem to work.

For additional information, it seems like when my computer goes to sleep that my MagSafe light (which is orange) turns off, and when it wakes from sleep, it turns back on. I don't know if this is normal or not, but I thought I'd include this information.

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MacBook Air randomly sleeps when plugged in. Any fix for this?

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