Do I need a new battery?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Do I need a new battery?

Hello all, I'm new to these forums and hoping I can get a little advice.

I have a MacBook Pro 13" mid 2012. Everything was running fine up until about a week ago when the computer drained to 0%. The following day I went to charge it and power it on, and it wouldn't start. Left it plugged in for a few hours and still wouldn't start. Nothing on the screen, no lights or sounds. Nothing has ever been spilled on it, and its never been dropped.

Things I've tried:

SMC reset

Holding power for 30 sec

Hold power button for 10 sec, plug adapter in, hold for another 10 sec

Unplugging battery and just using power adapter

Different magsafe power adapter from friends macbook (same model)

I'm running out of things to try. There is the very very faint green light on the magsafe adapter, faint enough that I have to cup my hand around it to see that it's actually lit. There is no visible corrosion or damage to the internals either.

So I'm not sure if I need a new battery or if it's something more serious?

Any help will be appreciated! Thanks!

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012)

Posted on Mar 24, 2016 11:27 PM

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Answer 1

UGADog

Level 4

1,972 points

Mar 24, 2016 11:30 PM in response to SwizzzzZ

What does your battery cycle count say? Determining battery cycle count for Mac notebooks - Apple Support

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Answer 2

SwizzzzZ Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 24, 2016 11:34 PM in response to UGADog

I'm not sure. I can't power up the computer because its dead (0%) And I don't remember ever checking that.

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Answer 3

UGADog

Level 4

1,972 points

Mar 24, 2016 11:45 PM in response to SwizzzzZ

May be the charger. If you know someone with the same model, try using their adapter. If not, then a trip to an Apple service provider to have them try another adapter is your best bet. Apple does not charge for diagnostics.

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Answer 4

SwizzzzZ Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 24, 2016 11:51 PM in response to UGADog

I have tried my friend's charger and its the same exact model. His charger works perfectly with his macbook, and my charger works with his macbook. What are the signs of a dead battery?

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Answer 5

UGADog

Level 4

1,972 points

Mar 24, 2016 11:57 PM in response to SwizzzzZ

You have pretty much described a failing battery though I have never had one so dead it wouldn't take a charge. Usually they die more slowly though. So I think you need to visit a service provider for diagnostic. Or you could take the leap of faith and buy one online and replace yourself. Don't leave it charging when it is in this state. Lithium Ion batteries become unstable at end of life. The battery could swell or even explode (rarely).

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Answer 6

K Shaffer

Level 8

36,058 points

Mar 25, 2016 12:32 AM in response to SwizzzzZ

If you had previously allowed the computer battery to run flat or very low in past usage

that would seriously shorten the overall life span of the battery, so at least you will need

to get a new battery, and perhaps a replacement or a spare MagSafe power adapter.

And have a qualified Apple service provider test the computer. It likely would need to

have a new battery installed, and at least 8 hours charge time (to be sure) before an

attempt to start up the computer. Although a new battery may only need a few hours.

A dead battery, run flat, may never recover enough to allow the computer to start.

Another part that a qualified Apple service provider may test, is the DC-in Board

the MagSafe adapter connects to, in the computer. These may fail as well.

• About Mac notebook batteries - Apple Support

• Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters - Apple Support

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

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