Mid 2020 MacBook Air won't charge or turn on

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Mid 2020 MacBook Air won't charge or turn on

My reliable MacBook Air has decided to maybe die. At first it wouldn't charge, so I tried multiple chargers/outlets/cables to no avail. At that point I could run it on AC power. Finally, that stopped working too. I went through the SMC reset procedures and still nothing. I took it to Apple and they "jump started" it, and said no errors showed up and the battery is good, everything OK. That worked for a week or so and then dead again. I gave in, bought a new one. But I'd like to get this old one working to give to my daughter.

I tried again...replaced the battery with a new one, did the SMC and PRAM reset procedures but still completely dead. Even when on AC power, trying multiple chargers/cables again, still dead. Just dead dead...nothing.

Next I was going to replace the USB-C ports as that's an easy one because I figured at least eliminate one other possible point of failure.

Does anyone have any advice?

MacBook Air (2018 – 2020)

Posted on Feb 6, 2024 8:01 AM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

428,291 points

Feb 6, 2024 8:06 AM in response to Kevin Feder

If your Mac won‘t turn on, read this support article --> If your Mac doesn't turn on - Apple Support

Additional tips about making sure that accessories are getting enough power. Frozen iMac - Apple Community

I am surprised at the things you say you did because many years ago Apple removed any user serviceable features from its Macs.

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Answer 2

Kevin Feder Author

Level 1

15 points

Feb 6, 2024 8:14 AM in response to Limnos

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, neither of those articles were helpful in resolving the issue.

I don't understand your last comment. After the problems began the second time, which was about a week after Apple "jump started" it I decided to try on my own.

I bought a battery kit which came with instructions and tools and I was able to replace the battery myself. Not difficult at all. The USB ports I haven't tried yet, but it's only a few screws, very simple.

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Answer 3

Limnos

Level 10

428,291 points

Feb 6, 2024 10:19 AM in response to Kevin Feder

I am not familiar with newer Macs but about 10 years ago Apple started soldering everything together in its Macs, particularly notebooks. Even things such as batteries it made hard to get into the Mac. When you said USB ports I was really thinking you have to have a soldering setup to do that. It's no longer pull out a card and insert a new one. Now it is pretty much impossible to do anything inside on any Mac. That's not to say you couldn't try, but if you messed up then Apple won't help you if they see you have been working inside.

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Answer 4

Kevin Feder Author

Level 1

15 points

Feb 6, 2024 2:47 PM in response to Limnos

This generation of MacBook Airs are very modular. Lots of screws and removable adhesive (kind of like command strips) but I haven’t encountered anything I’d have to solder.

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Mid 2020 MacBook Air won't charge or turn on

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