Internal disk not found while running on battery

Sounds like the SSD is failing. Usually when the SSD fails, it is due to the SSD not being able to go ready quickly enough when powering on the laptop or waking the laptop from sleep. If you Option Boot the laptop, it may give the SSD a bit more time to go ready while the firmware searches for bootable volumes. However, this is a sign the SSD is failing and could fail completely at any time.

Look for Kernel Panic logs in "/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports" or even within the "Retired" subfolder. Kernel Panics usually have file names beginning with "kernel" and ending in ".panic". If the SSD is failing, many times you will find a line within the Kernel Panic log referencing "nvme: " with one of several errors such as the two most common ones:

nvme:  Fatal error occurred

nvme:  AppleS3XController  PCI link is down

I personally would not spend any money on this laptop for multiple reasons since there are so many known hardware issues with it. You already know you need a new battery. The SSD on the touchbar model is integrated onto the Logic Board which is an expensive repair. The money spent on repairs would be much better spent towards a new laptop.

Edit: I mixed up the A1706 & A1708 models. The A1706 model is the MBPro 13" (2016 & 2017) models with the Touchbar. I corrected my post to address the Touchbar model.

Junnnnnnnn wrote:

Hi

I have a MacBook pro 2017 A1706 version which I have not been using for a long time.

Battery may have stayed flat for a while but recently I was able to charged it up to 100% (battery health show up as normal) then format the computer and reinstall to the latest mac OS. All of this was done while plugged in.

However on the next day, it would boot to a black screen with a folder icon in the middle

and the internal disk would not show up in recovery utility just like many other people have reported on this forum. After trying multiple methods I found that the internal disk would re-appear and boot successfully if I turn it on while plugged in to power. If I unplug my charger it does not interrupt the system but if it ever goes to sleep while on battery it crashes. Now I have a laptop that needs to be plugged in all the time or never let it go to sleep when I decide to move away from my charger.

Does this indicate a battery failure to start the internal SSD or has it got something to do with the power management chip on the logic board? Thanks

Try resetting the System Management Controller Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

If your Mac doesn't start up all the way

If your Mac doesn't start up all the way - Apple Support

if no resolve—

In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Outside the USA

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support