Macbook Air - Intermittently Charging , Now not at all

It could be the cable in your case, but it is not the problem in general. I have had the problem with the macbook pro charger and the macbook air charger, the latter even had to be replaced after the cable melted due to the unstable flow of electricity caused by the port. The problem in this topic is most definitely caused by the 1/0 logic board that connects to the charger.

Okay, I'm back. Took my machine to the Apple store and was pleasantly surprised to have the tech type its number in and tell me they'd replace some parts and it'd be covered under warranty. Most companies go out of their way to avoid covering anything under warranty, even if you're still within the warranty period... I assumed I was out of it, and didn't have my receipt anymore.

Anyway, they took my MBA in the shop for about 3.5 days, then called me down, I went and picked it up, and it's working fine now. They replaced the I/O board.

This was about 2.5 or 3 weeks ago... the power supply has briefly faded out maybe 3 times since then (and my computer is ALWAYS on), but a quick wiggle would get things working again.

I noticed at the Apple store all the newer MBAs have much bulkier adapter connectors (where the cord connects to the computer's port)... not likely Apple would go to a bulkier connecter unless there were too many problems with the older, sleeker variety. My guess is the company realized the problem and quietly changed to something chunkier but less problematic, while fixing faulty parts under warranty among those who brought them in.

Well, I'm annoyed I spent a year jiggling the adapter for increasingly longer periods of time just to get a charge, but I'm impressed that Apple declined an opportunity to make more cash and instead fixed the problem on the house. Looks like I was too hasty in writing the company off... Apple, I continue to be your customer.

I'm happy for you that your problem is solved without being charged for it. Can you estimate when you bought it? Was it a 2010 or 2011 model? I had noticed they changed the size too. This is most likely because there were problems with the 1/0 unit and the charger connecting to it but it could also just be another way to sell chargers and disable the chance of using old chargers from other notebooks ...similar to the iPhone stunt.

I wonder because if it's outside the warranty that means they offer extended warranty on a frequently occuring problem. The shop you brought it, was it really an Apple store or an Authorised reseller? Your info could really help me because here in Thaialnd the staff in (obviously not real) Apple stores are a bunch of knuckle heads who have no idea what they are selling or what the insides of the machines look like.

In cases where the AC cord (thin one) is showing "strain relief" damage at either the magnetic connector or at the adapter brick your power cord may be covered at no charge. Apple's site http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4127 states:

"Whether your product is in or out of warranty, you can take your adapter to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple Retail Store for evaluation and replacement if necessary. Pending the results of evaluation, you may or may not be eligible for a replacement adapter free of charge."

This is only available in the US and is valid for three years from date of purchase of the power cord. More information can be found at the MagSafe Adapter Settlement Page: https://www.adaptersettlement.com/

I hope this helps some people

Hi all,

MBA charger often not charging: light was randomly either green or red or off independently on the charger

PROBLEM definitely SOLVED

After struggling for months I brought my MBA to an Apple assistance center. They found the FLEX CABLE (internally connecting safemag and motherboard) broken, and told me it happens often in MacBooks because of vibrations or even small bumps.

Cost of the intervention (Italy): Flex Cable= 24 Euro + Labour= 60 Euro

Hope it helps

Same problem here, and I have only had my mac air for over a month. From reading these posts, I see that the charger will prob work in the store, and I just recorded a video of it not working for my appointment.

Given that there are 77 posts on this thread alone, the number of cases must be in the thousands. People pay a premium for apple products to avoid issues like this one. Apple, can you please have a representative respond to this thread and provide an explanation or solution for those suffering from this problem?

Je-

This particular MBA was purchased in late 2011 from the official Beijing Apple store, and that's also where I took it back to several weeks ago. I know that some parts of an MBA (e.g., the battery) have a 1 year warranty on them... not sure if other parts are longer, or if the whole thing is generally 1 year, or what. Aside from a beat up old iPhone 3G I bought used because its owner wanted to upgrade to a brand new iPhone 4 when that was coming out, this is my only Apple product, and I usually don't even bother learning warranty specs and just keep a machine until it quits running, then replace it.

I've visited a few fake Apple stores in China, but other than, say, jailbreaking an iPhone, I don't think I'd trust these with any major work on a machine I didn't want going all buggy later on...

Looks like the phone number for Apple in Thailand is 001-800-65-6957 - maybe give them a call and see if they can point you in the right direction.

EDIT: Gallonallen's comment seems to confirm that Apple covers faulty parts, regardless of whether the machine overall is in or out of warranty. That's big of them. They've certainly earned my respect (and future repeat business, and recommendations to friends and family).

I have the same problem too. MBA charging only intermittently. Tried resetting SMC and PRAM and the problem still persists. Will try warming up the power brick like others mentioned, but I would like a fix for the root cause....

I can just tell you what solved your same problem in my case. I struggled for months and trying all the empiric solutions mentioned in this blog; I had also changed the Flex cable (connecting I/O Board and motherboard) just wasting my money.

SOLUTION: changing the I/O Board (it's a small and cheap part carrying both power plug and left USB port) made it.

Oh. Ok. Will definitely try that if the problem persists for too long. Thanks very much for the suggestion Sgretola!

Hi Sgretola,

Can you share some details about how you achieved the I/O board replacement? For example, did you order it through Apple or another source? Did you do the install yourself? any tips would be appreciated.

Jim

If you want to fix it yourself, here are some instructions:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing+MacBook+Air+11-Inch+Mid+2011+I-O+Board/63 10/1

This is for a mid 2011 MBA. There are instructions for other models on ifixit as well.

Hi Jim,

after I found the tip on internet, I just went to a Genius Bar in Rome. I paid 64 Euros for the spare part. Labor was for free, because of a previous intervention made in the same GB for the same problem which resulted to be completely ineffective.

S

thanks fo the tip, anirudh582.

S,

Thanks for your reply.

J