Thunderbolt display does not charge macbook pro

I also seem to be having exactly the same problem.

I've only noticed it today because my 27" Display is at work and my MBPr was esspecially empty.

However, the battery display looks like

https://s3.amazonaws.com/screenshots.wcr.me/I8YtAhuE.png … running on external power, but not charging.

It's hard to see on my practically failed MagSafe adapter but the pin (indicated by the arrow) is slightly lower than the opposing pin. All pins are spring-loaded. The outer two pins are designed to stick out further than the inner three (which supply power). I believe they let the Mac know that the cable is connected. The center pin, presumably ground, sticks out slightly further than the highlighted pins (presumably V+).

After working some alcohol into the adapter and pressing the pins in repeatedly, I was able to have the two highlighted pins advance further than what they had been doing. The connection is still sporadic. I think a few repeated alcohol baths may help some, but the flaw is more than likely the springs getting weak to the point where there is not a good seat between the pins and that MacBook. I'm using a backup adapter now that is working flawlessly.

Thanks Mike for taking the time.

Yours is working correctly in 'Clamshell mode': http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3131

The requirements are: TB display, Power supply and external keyboard/mouse/trackpad. (i.e. your set up).

I am trying to find out if you disconnect your external keyboard and trackpad (i.e. turn the blue toothoff temporarily or unplug them both if wired).... what happens when you close your lid on your MBP? Does your TB diplay go off completely or pop back on as it does now?? Would sure appreciate it if you tried it for me 🙂.

See with mine.... it pops back on... but according ot literature... it should not since I have NO external keyboard/trackpad connected.

I'm not totally sure about the battery icon when plugged in... I think when it has the thunderbolt within the battery icon it is charging... and when it has the plug within the icon, it is fully charged and using power cord rather than battery to run. I could be wrong though.

Thanks again.

jason.

Yes I have a similar problem. Sometimes the battery symbol has the plug inside and sometimes a wavy line (not sure what the difference is). If I shutdown the computer it then seems to charge but if I just put it to sleep it doesn't seem to charge. The Screen seems to work fine otherwise.

I have a Macbook Pro retina 2013 and it will not charge off my Thunderbolt display with adapter. I can plug it in and it will power but not charge the computer. I have to use the another power supply to get it to power and charge. I just updgraded from a Macbook Pro retina 2012. It would charge the computer and I did have it running Mavercicks before I upgraded and it did charge. Not sure if it is Mavericks or the new Macbook. Seems to me like the Thunderbolt display will not juice a new Macbook Pro Retina 2013.

I've got exactly the same issue with a MacBook Pro Retina 2013 (i.e. connected but not charging)

Fiddling about with the Magsafe2 connector/adaptor solves the problem but it remains a flaky conection that regularly generates this issue.

Also noticed the exact same issue after upgrading to mavericks.

This is going to sound stupid, but the solution that appears to be working for me was to take off the magsafe adapter and re-attach it. Mine gets pretty hot while charging, so I'm guessing that it might have disabled itself or something.

Who knows… Could flake out again in a few weeks.

I've got the same problem with a two year Thunderbolt screen and Mac Book air. It won't charge from the screen but stays at whatever charge it was when you plugged it in. Occassionally it tops up but very rarely. I think it is connected to the Mavericks upgrade too. None of the fixes above worked for me.

Apple - Please get a fix unless someone else has any ideas.

Thanks

Can one of you on this thread be so very kind to test one thing for me.

I have a new rMBP late 2013. Using a TB monitor from 2011.

Mine seems to charge fine.

However, when I close my computer lid.... the TB flashes and comes back on showing my desk top.

I have NO external devices such as trackpad or keyboard hooked up.

The only thing hooked up is the thunderbolt cable and the megasafe (with megasafe 2 adaptor).

Can anyone with a new retinal 2013 MBP please hook thiers up to a TB and Megasafe2 adaptor and close your MBP lid... does your TB monitor flash and come on or does it go to sleep (screen turned off). Manja, sounds like you have same set up... would you or others try for me and report back.

Thanks!

Hi Tigervision

I have a 7 month old MBP retina and TB display. Hooked up as yours is but with external keypad and track pad.

When it is on mains power with the magsafe 2 connected and the plug (not the wavy line - still don't know what the difference is) showing in the battery. If I close the lid of the MBP the TB stays alive so I can continue to use. I don't think it is meant to go to sleep as the MBP would by itself as it was designed to be able to continue to use. With the upgrade to Mavericks the two can be used as separate monitors.

Hope this helps.

Mike

I have the 27" Thunderbolt Display linked to a Mac Mini i7 Server. I've never had a problem with this whatsoever. It charges my MacBookPro as it should first, and every time. I'm only posting this to prove it works and I've done nothing special with it at all. And yes, I'm running Mavericks so you can discount this.

I've only just picked again up this ongoing problem you have. An obvious question I must ask, but is your magna connection making contact with your MBP when you attach it? There are 4 brass looking connectors in the magna safe lead. I think it were me, I would switch everything off and make sure that you try and clean the ends of each of your connections on both the magnasafe connector and the device you're connecting to, WITHOUT shorting anything!

Hi Jason

Yes mine does exactly the same as yours. However, if the power cord is not connected it all goes to sleep. If the power cord is connected, and making contact, the TB display stays on.

Just got to do as Brian has suggested and clean the contacts.

Regards

Mike

Thanks Mike...

So yours is doing what mine does.... which is wrong. LOL.

In theory.... if you don't have all three (TB, power, external devices) connected, it should NOT go into clamshell mode (i.e. the TB monitor should go off).

And you are right Mike... if you unplug power cord and close lid or manually put MBP to sleep... the TB goes off!

My TB charges my MBP fine like Barry's. Are you sure yours is not charging Mike?? Have you tried to drain the battery a little and then plug in... does power cord have yellow led and then change to green when charged? Careful with liquid cleaners.... !

Bottom line.... just my theory... that the new MBP and Mavericks are beyond the TB display which has not been updated in some time....

Thanks,

jason.

Hi Jason and Barry

I have given the contacts a clean and I get the plug symbol appearing in the battery icon, which presumably means that it is running on mains from the TB display, though not actually charging. I haven't worked out at what point the orange LED comes on, but certainly when it is fully charged it goes green. I sort of assumed that the orange LED should come on immediately the power cord is connected regardless of state of charge, but that does not appear to be the case. I shall look further.

Thanks for your help

Mike