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E_Louise Author

Level 1

16 points

Won't start up; charger blinking orange

Came home from work and went to turn on my late-2011 MacBook Pro. It won't start up. Nothing happens (no tone, no motor noise, nothing). When plugged in (MagSafe power charger that came with the unit) the charger unit blinks orange. Tried the charger on my other computer - works just fine. Tried 2 other MagSafe power chargers (from other Macs I own/have owned) and all act the same way with this computer, but work just fine with another Mac.

Anyone have any idea what's going on? I have owned Macs since 1988 (over the years I've owned a Macintosh II, Macintosh Performa, Power Mac, Power Book, and another MacBook Pro before this one). I've never had a problem like this one before...HELP!

[A side note: There have been NO spills, no tumbles, no falls, nothing to prompt any sort of issues....This was a completely RANDOM "dead" laptop!]

MacBook Pro (13-inch Late 2011)

Posted on Sep 5, 2012 8:03 PM

Top-ranking reply

DannyJamesAudio

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Jun 1, 2017 11:53 PM

I had the same problem. The power adapter was blinking orange. Disconnecting the battery wouldn't fix it. I'm not exactly sure what fixed it but this is what I did.

1) plug power adapter into a different wall circuit

2) remove back cover and unplug battery (make sure it can't reconnect)

3) plug in power adapter (be careful with the back off of the computer) and hold down the power button for a long time (30 seconds). At this point the power adapter started blinking green.

4) unplug the power adapter

5) plug the battery back in and put cover back on computer

6) plug power adapter back into computer (at this point the power adapter went orange to indicate charging and my computer started just fine)

7) back everything up because you might not be as lucky next time.

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172 replies

Apr 14, 2015 10:22 AM in response to E_Louise

The solution that worked for me was leaving it unplugged overnight.

darlinx

Level 1

0 points

May 7, 2015 8:03 PM in response to Fiachrag

I Have tried everything.. Read and searching for help to awake my mbp.. This is the one that so helP.. Thank you thank you thank you.! I dont have to send my mbp to the shop for repair.. I do it myself and it's already back.. dbartul you're owesome. Love you.!

Jun 9, 2015 4:59 PM in response to E_Louise

I have a solution! Three weeks ago I purchased a replacement charger from Apple and it just began the blinking "green and amber" after working like a charm for the first 3 weeks. I disconnected the "cord extender" and reinstalled the plug on the Charger....plugged it back into to the wall and it WORKED! I just will not be using the "cord extender".....

Fredo

Level 1

0 points

Aug 2, 2015 5:03 AM in response to E_Louise

I Had this exact issue and fixed it. I let my battery completely drain over 24hours (not plugged in to charger). after the 24+ hours plugged it back in and boom sorted

Aug 21, 2015 7:06 AM in response to E_Louise

I have the exact problem! Last night, I plugged in a USB Camera, My mac showed a kernel panic (first time ever) It wouldn't restart. I tried plugging it in and fixing it this morning, But the charger started faintly blinking green and orange, something I've never seen before. I don't want to take it apart. Please Help!!! I'm so worried, I hold the power button, Nothing!!! Not even the little white light on the side! I'm so worried! If I really need, I'll take it apart, I'll do almost anything to bring it back to life!! HELP!!

spudnuty

Level 5

7,122 points

Aug 21, 2015 8:12 AM in response to CaseyW2006

It will make it easier to help you w/ your problem to know know more information about your computer; size, exact year built, RAM installed and OS you're running. Any history prior to your incident would also be helpful.

If the battery is removable you could try:

Try a hard reset. Disconnect the battery (open the bottom and pull the connector off. Use your fingernails.) and power adapter. Press the power button for 1 minute. Let the computer sit for 5 minutes, Reconnect and try to start up.

No? - Go through the same procedure and try to start without the battery connected.

The addendum to this would be to try a known good battery.

This would be for a "no start" scenario but basically it's the SMC reset w/ a battery you can remove.

Aug 22, 2015 10:45 PM in response to E_Louise

Oh my GOD! Thank you thank you soooo much! I am a teenager so as teenagers do my Macbook Pro 2009 got taken away except it was accidentally left untouched for over a year! I got it back and it would not turn on and I was panicking and I saw this yesterday but was too nervous to open the back but tonight I got bored and nervously tried it. It worked the second time when I took someone's comment on leaving it disconnected for about a minute. Thank you SOOOO MUCH!

Aug 31, 2015 9:47 AM in response to E_Louise

Had the same problem and was really worried. Thanks to dbartul it works again!

Sep 15, 2015 5:27 AM in response to dbartul

Thank you so so so much for this info. It totally worked for me.

Abit of info... My MacBook crashed when I plugged in my iPhone to back it up. I do suspect the USB cable may either be faulty or a counterfeit cable 😟

the screwdrivers needed are for sale at Screwfix in a fab forged steel kit for £9.99. It's the Phillips PH000 head that worked for the screw heads used.

Sep 21, 2015 10:37 AM in response to E_Louise

I just logged in to say thanks to dbartul!!

My daughter's mid 2012 13 "MBP started this behavior yesterday. I tried resetting SMC, etc. and nothing. I made a genius bar appt. but continued searching and came across this post, worked like a charm!! Saved me a trip to Apple Store, I am SO grateful!

Sep 22, 2015 11:48 AM in response to E_Louise

Just why its not working with me i started to lose hope please help me guys

syhy

Level 1

0 points

Sep 27, 2015 12:35 AM in response to E_Louise

This post was a saviour. I thought my mbp was a goner but the helpful replies saved all the time, effort and energy of having to go down to the store just to get it checked. Thank you.