MacBook Air M5 has persistent odor from USB-C ports and stiff screen hinge

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MacBook Air M5 has persistent odor from USB-C ports and stiff screen hinge

Hello everyone,

I purchased a MacBook Air M5 in June, and since then, I have noticed a distinct odor emanating from the USB-C ports and the charging slot. My initial research suggested this smell would dissipate within two to three months. However, after waiting, the odor persists. Additionally, I have encountered an issue with the MacBook screen's hinge mechanism. When opening the screen, it feels stiff and momentarily catches before fully extending. Similarly, upon closing, while there is no initial gap, a slight touch causes it to reopen to the aforementioned "catch" angle, requiring me to gently push it down to fully close it. I have already contacted Apple Support, who indicated that this could be a hardware issue. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced similar problems.

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 26.6

Posted on Sep 17, 2026 7:41 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 17, 2026 9:05 AM in response to meghana199

Definitely sounds like it may be a hardware issue. These newer Apple laptops have a very tight tolerance around the hinge area (not much more than the thickness of one to three sheets of paper). It is possible the Display has become slightly skewed which can definitely cause the behavior described. Have Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider examine the laptop to see if there may be any minor damage and to see whether a realigning of the Display Assembly is sufficient to address the problem (whether from minor accidental damage or just a small alignment issue from the factory).

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