I replaced the battery on a dead MacBook Air and it won’t turn on

Question

I replaced the battery on a dead MacBook Air and it won’t turn on

Background: My 2012 MacBook Air bit the bullet in mid 2018 due to what I assumed was the battery because before it stopped charging and turning on, the battery was dying very quickly, low power, and all the symptoms of a battery on its way out.

Today, Feb 19, 2020 I finally got around to replacing the battery. When I plug in the charger, it lights up orange/green (currently green) indicating that its charging but I cannot get the computer to power on at all. I’ve tried multiple techniques.

I let it charge for 3 hours before attempting to turn it on. It’s now been 8 hours and no sign of life. What could be the issue here?

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.12

Posted on Feb 19, 2020 3:11 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

ThatUsernameWasTaken Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 19, 2020 3:14 PM in response to ThatUsernameWasTaken

I should mention: With the old battery the charger would not indicate a charge at all (no red/green). With the new battery I get some indication that it’s charging (lights up red/green).

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Answer 2

Feb 21, 2020 1:19 PM in response to HWTech

Thank you!

I tried this and it still didn’t power on so I guess it is indeed something bigger.

I still would like to know why the power adapter would not light up with the original battery but with the new battery connected and unconnected (your method) it lights up.

Anyways thanks. Sucks it still doesn’t work.

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Answer 3

HWTech

Level 9

60,332 points

Feb 20, 2020 9:18 PM in response to ThatUsernameWasTaken

Try an SMC reset. If this doesn't help, then disconnect the battery and then connect the power adapter. Try powering the laptop on. If it powers on, then hot plug the battery and let it charge to at least 10% before powering off or disconnecting the charger. I put the laptop on its right hand side when doing this so I don't actually sit the laptop on a conductive surface and it makes it relatively easy to connect the battery.

If this doesn't help, then you probably have a defective battery or maybe some other issue with the Logic Board or I/O Board/Cable. I find the quality of third party Lithium-ion batteries to be quite poor even when purchased from a well respected and reputable vendor such as OWC.

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I replaced the battery on a dead MacBook Air and it won’t turn on

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