Dead MBP 15" Retina (A1398)

[Cian_]

Hi All,

I have a Mid-2015 15" Macbook Pro (A1398). I haven't used it in a couple of years since I upgraded to a 16" Model in 2019. Before I 'retired' the 2015 model I completely wiped the SSD.

I'm trying to get it back up and running but having some issues.

- When plugged in, the light on the charger is orange. It never turns green even when plugged in for hours.
- I'm unable to turn it on by pressing the power button
- To turn it on I have to hold the power button for 10 seconds, plugging in charger and holding power button for another 10 seconds
- I get the blinking folder with a question mark, likely due to the SSD being wiped.
- If I plug out the charger, it dies instantly.
- Tried installing macOS Monterey via USB. I get a screen with an Apple Logo and a progress bar. The progress bar makes it to about 25% and then restarts. It repeats this constantly - never making it past the 25% mark.
- Tried booting into Recovery Mode (Internet Recovery). The progress bar reaches the end - but then the machine restarts and I encounter the blinking folder with a question mark again.


I am wondering if someone has any suggestions for me. I have already tried resetting the NVRAM/PRAM and SMC.

I feel like it could just be a completely dead battery but before dishing out over €100 on a new battery I'd like to rule out other possible issues.

 

[startergo]

Hi All,

I have a Mid-2015 15" Macbook Pro (A1398). I haven't used it in a couple of years since I upgraded to a 16" Model in 2019. Before I 'retired' the 2015 model I completely wiped the SSD.

I'm trying to get it back up and running but having some issues.

- When plugged in, the light on the charger is orange. It never turns green even when plugged in for hours.
- I'm unable to turn it on by pressing the power button
- To turn it on I have to hold the power button for 10 seconds, plugging in charger and holding power button for another 10 seconds
- I get the blinking folder with a question mark, likely due to the SSD being wiped.
- If I plug out the charger, it dies instantly.
- Tried installing macOS Monterey via USB. I get a screen with an Apple Logo and a progress bar. The progress bar makes it to about 25% and then restarts. It repeats this constantly - never making it past the 25% mark.
- Tried booting into Recovery Mode (Internet Recovery). The progress bar reaches the end - but then the machine restarts and I encounter the blinking folder with a question mark again.


I am wondering if someone has any suggestions for me. I have already tried resetting the NVRAM/PRAM and SMC.

I feel like it could just be a completely dead battery but before dishing out over €100 on a new battery I'd like to rule out other possible issues.

You can try disconnecting the internal battery cable and use the charger directly.

 

[pshufd]

Sounds like the battery completely drained and isn't able to recharge. I have one of those and replaced the battery in 2021. You might try installing High Sierra as it's a smaller install.

 

[Fishrrman]

Do you have a brick n mortar Apple Store where you are?

If so, I'd take it to them, and ask for a battery replacement, BUT ONLY IF they could ascertain if the computer can "get booted again" as a result.

No use paying for a battery replacement ($199 US) if the MBP isn't going to run.

Also...
I think startergo's recommendation to disconnect the battery before you try booting to internet recovery might be a good one (reply 2 above).
Open the back and disconnect the battery (DO NOT USE ANYTHING MADE OUT OF METAL TO DO THIS !). Then, "tack the cover back on", connect the charger, and try booting to internet recovery:
Command-OPTION-R.

No promises.

 

[DeltaMac]

There IS a battery recall/replacement program for that model - https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall. If your serial number is one of the listed ones (and if the battery fixes your issue), then that may be a good next step.

 

[yukari]

First thing you need is to replace the battery.
Then you can figure out what, if anything, is wrong.

 

[Cian_]

Thank you for all the replies folks.

You can try disconnecting the internal battery cable and use the charger directly.

I've tried disconnecting the battery and booting but no luck. I done some more research at it seems that the mid 2015 model actually cannot boot properly without a functioning battery. It will enter a boot loop when the battery is faulty or disconnected - which would explain the issues I'm having.

Do you have a brick n mortar Apple Store where you are?

If so, I'd take it to them, and ask for a battery replacement, BUT ONLY IF they could ascertain if the computer can "get booted again" as a result.

No use paying for a battery replacement ($199 US) if the MBP isn't going to run.

Also...
I think startergo's recommendation to disconnect the battery before you try booting to internet recovery might be a good one (reply 2 above).
Open the back and disconnect the battery (DO NOT USE ANYTHING MADE OUT OF METAL TO DO THIS !). Then, "tack the cover back on", connect the charger, and try booting to internet recovery:
Command-OPTION-R.

No promises.

Unfortunately no Apple Store - but we do have an Apple Authorised Service Provider in my city. However, they charge an initial inspection fee of around €50 just to look at the machine. Then if the battery is getting replaced I'll probably be charged quite a bit more. I've jus bit the bullet and ordered a 3rd Party battery online and will hope for the best.

There IS a battery recall/replacement program for that model - https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall. If your serial number is one of the listed ones (and if the battery fixes your issue), then that may be a good next step.

I remember this recall actually. I was hoping to get my battery replaced when it was announced so that I could get better battery life but sadly my particular machine isn't covered.







TLDR; Seems like the model I have cannot actually boot without a functioning battery and will enter a boot loop based on numerous sources online. Have bit the bullet and ordered a new battery - so now I just have to wait and hope that the fix is as simple as putting in a new battery!

 

[yukari]

See my post above.

 

[startergo]

Thank you for all the replies folks.




I've tried disconnecting the battery and booting but no luck. I done some more research at it seems that the mid 2015 model actually cannot boot properly without a functioning battery. It will enter a boot loop when the battery is faulty or disconnected - which would explain the issues I'm having.




Unfortunately no Apple Store - but we do have an Apple Authorised Service Provider in my city. However, they charge an initial inspection fee of around €50 just to look at the machine. Then if the battery is getting replaced I'll probably be charged quite a bit more. I've jus bit the bullet and ordered a 3rd Party battery online and will hope for the best.




I remember this recall actually. I was hoping to get my battery replaced when it was announced so that I could get better battery life but sadly my particular machine isn't covered.







TLDR; Seems like the model I have cannot actually boot without a functioning battery and will enter a boot loop based on numerous sources online. Have bit the bullet and ordered a new battery - so now I just have to wait and hope that the fix is as simple as putting in a new battery!

Just to make sure you did not miss the first obvious thing to do: Reset the SMC?

Here's how to reset the SMC on notebooks with non-removable batteries:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold Shift, Control, and Option on the left side of the keyboard. At the same time, press the power button.
3. Hold for 10 seconds.
4. Release the keys and then turn on your Mac.

 

[DeltaMac]

If the battery is charging (adapter plugged in, and the LED is orange, not green), when you do that SMC reset, the charger LED should turn green briefly, then return to orange. Does that LED make any change at all, when you press the Shift-Control-Option, then press the power button?

 

[Cian_]

Just to make sure you did not miss the first obvious thing to do: Reset the SMC?

Yes, I tried resetting the SMC on multiple occasions.

If the battery is charging (adapter plugged in, and the LED is orange, not green), when you do that SMC reset, the charger LED should turn green briefly, then return to orange. Does that LED make any change at all, when you press the Shift-Control-Option, then press the power button?

This is exactly what I was seeing when resetting the SMC. It went from Orange to green momentarily and then back to Orange.

 

[Cian_]

So, my new battery arrived and I installed it. The laptop successfully boots as expected and I was able to install Monterey on it.

However, it seems that the battery will not charge. I've tried resetting the SMC, and also tried a different charging adapter but the issue persists. So, the issue with my machine seems to be with the charging of the battery (I guess my last battery was okay, just ran out of juice and couldn't take a charge and due to the weird design of the mid-2015 I wasn't able to do anything without a battery that had some juice in it)

The laptop is also incredibly sluggish.

 

[DeltaMac]

Does the power adapter get hot?
If those are both current screen shots - Your system appears to report that the battery is not charging, yet Coconut Battery app shows that there is charging?

The LED on the magsafe connector also indicates charging - is that correct that it is orange, and not green?
How long did you leave your MBPro connected to the power adapter?
Are both the adapter connector, and the internal magsafe socket both clean, and undamaged?
Is there any change if you turn off your MBPro, and leave the adapter connected overnight?

If no charging, then next would be the DC-in board. Not hard to replace, and fairly cheap.

Willhom 820-3109-A 820-3609-A 821-3376-A DC-in Power Board Replacement for MacBook Pro 15" Retina A1398 2012 2013 2014 2015 (923-0096,923-0667,923-00535)

Willhom 820-3109-A 820-3609-A 821-3376-A DC-in Power Board Replacement for MacBook Pro 15" Retina A1398 2012 2013 2014 2015 (923-0096,923-0667,923-00535)

smile.amazon.com

Anything after THAT will be a good amount more.

 

[Cian_]

Does the power adapter get hot?
If those are both current screen shots - Your system appears to report that the battery is not charging, yet Coconut Battery app shows that there is charging?

The LED on the magsafe connector also indicates charging - is that correct that it is orange, and not green?
How long did you leave your MBPro connected to the power adapter?
Are both the adapter connector, and the internal magsafe socket both clean, and undamaged?
Is there any change if you turn off your MBPro, and leave the adapter connected overnight?

If no charging, then next would be the DC-in board. Not hard to replace, and fairly cheap.

Willhom 820-3109-A 820-3609-A 821-3376-A DC-in Power Board Replacement for MacBook Pro 15" Retina A1398 2012 2013 2014 2015 (923-0096,923-0667,923-00535)

Willhom 820-3109-A 820-3609-A 821-3376-A DC-in Power Board Replacement for MacBook Pro 15" Retina A1398 2012 2013 2014 2015 (923-0096,923-0667,923-00535)

smile.amazon.com

Anything after THAT will be a good amount more.

Power adapter doesn't seem to be getting hot.

LED on the magsafe connector is orange. I've had it plugged in for about 4 hours now with the machine shut down - and it's still Orange. I booted up the machine and it's still 6% so it's not charging at all.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

The VERY FIRST THING you should do is go back and reread DeltaMac's reply to you in post 5 above about the battery recall for these models.

Other thoughts...
Could it be the "DC in" board? (looks like DeltaMac mentioned this, too)

I could not find a repair guide at ifixit.com that shows replacement of the dc in board on a 2015 MacBook Pro 15".

However, they do have a guide for the 13" model:

MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Early 2015 MagSafe DC-In Board Replacement

Use this guide to replace a faulty MagSafe DC-In board.

www.ifixit.com

Perhaps the 15" replacement procedure is similar? (don't know)

I asked this before, you didn't reply:
Where in the world are you?
Is there a brick-n-mortar Apple Store anywhere close?

 

[Cian_]

OP:

The VERY FIRST THING you should do is go back and reread DeltaMac's reply to you in post 5 above about the battery recall for these models.

Other thoughts...
Could it be the "DC in" board? (looks like DeltaMac mentioned this, too)

I could not find a repair guide at ifixit.com that shows replacement of the dc in board on a 2015 MacBook Pro 15".

However, they do have a guide for the 13" model:

MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Early 2015 MagSafe DC-In Board Replacement

Use this guide to replace a faulty MagSafe DC-In board.

www.ifixit.com

Perhaps the 15" replacement procedure is similar? (don't know)

I asked this before, you didn't reply:
Where in the world are you?
Is there a brick-n-mortar Apple Store anywhere close?

I replied to DeltaMac in post 7, and also replied to your previous comment in that same post.

Unfortunately my mac doesn't qualify for the battery replacement. Not that it would have helped since the issue does not appear to be with the battery itself.

As for a brick-n-mortar Apple Store - I answered this above. I do not have an Apple Store near me - but have an Apple Authorised Service Provider. As much as I'd love to get this old machine running again - I don't want to put a lot of money into it (which I would have to do if I went down that road) since I have a newer machine.

I might pick up a dc in board and see if that fixes it. If it doesn't then I'll just accept that the machine isn't coming back to life and let it rest in peace.

 

[Macbookprodude]

15 inch 2015 with dual graphics 11,5 - no issues here, I read somewhere that the 11,4 had issues with what explained above and 11,5 does not have this problem.