2020 MacBook Air M1 multiple USB-C Port Failures

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Level 1

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2020 MacBook Air M1 multiple USB-C Port Failures

Greetings to all who have suffered inexplicable USB-C Port failures on MacBook Air M1:

Over the course of four months I have had three (3) sets of USB port failures, each quickly and professionally repaired by Apple Service under warranty (purchased MBA new on Amazon Fall 2023) by replacing either the logic board and/or the usb port board. After the first two repairs the MacBook worked for about a week then failed again. This time I don’t plan to wait and see if fails another time. I will trade it immediately in on an M2. Here’s why:

This is clearly a hardware failure. Replacing hardware always fixes it, although temporarily.

I believe it is caused by plugging/unplugging the charger while the charger is powered up.

Why? The rear port always fails first. Then a few days later the other port fails.

The only thing we ever plug into the rear USB-C port is the genuine Apple charger. But:

Once the rear port fails we have no choice but to plug the charger into the front port, which then soon fails.

The M2 model has a separate MagSafe charging port. I now see why.

I found this most excellent post on MacRumors which to me explains what is happening perfectly:

“As a suggestion to all, never ever unplug the type c adapter while it is hot and actively plugged into your port. In this mode, the type c power delivery is at 20v with up to 5A of current. When you unplug hot, the contacts can cross short to lower voltage pins and this will damage the cd321* controller ICs. This will then cause a serious damage leading to a $1000+ logic board repair. Instead, first unplug the type c adapter from the wall and then from the port.”

Hope this helps. I for one will never ever buy a MacBook again if it only charges through its delicate USB ports.

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Posted on Feb 7, 2024 11:17 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 7, 2024 11:55 AM in response to Jefromson

Interesting, for a couple of reasons:

Somehow you purchased a new 2020 MacBook Air three years later? Doesn't seem legit, unless it was purchased by a third party via Amazon. When this MBA was first powered on, did it come up with Setup Assistant, or something else?
I had a 2016 MacBook Pro that charged only via USB-C, and never had an issue with any of the USB C ports...and never unplugged it from the outlet prior to unplugging the USB C charging cable. Used this MBP for 7 years prior to getting a 2023 15" MBA. (I've never met anyone who unplugged from the wall prior to unplugging the charging cable, to be honest.

Just my $0.02 worth.

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Answer 2

Jefromson Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 7, 2024 12:35 PM in response to MacMikeInOK

I purchased as “new” (not “renewed”) from “Amazon.com” Fall 2023. I don’t remember how it arrived for set up. Apple has already performed two warranty repairs, including replacing logic and usb port boards, with two way express shipping at no charge, with a third repair pending, and so far no problems whatsoever with either warranty coverage or Apple challenging the legitimacy of the purchase.

If you search you’ll see a lot of people have had USB ports fail on the 2020 M1. If older models that charge through usb don’t have this issue, it could be specific to newer hardware in the 2020 model. You’ll also note they added MagSafe for M2, and there must be a reason for that.

I agree with you that one does not normally or should not ever have to unplug a charger from wall before unplugging from computer. What a pain. Just trying to help people who have ports fail, especially not under warranty, and aren’t getting a good explanation as to why or how to prevent.

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2020 MacBook Air M1 multiple USB-C Port Failures

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