Magsafe light never turns green

[zstar]

Okay, so I just got my new MBA 13" ultimate and this battery never seems to be fully charged (system shows 99% charging for over 1 hour now) and magsafe light been amber throughout the entire time.

I'm worried it may be a battery problem, tried resetting SMC two times but no effect. Anyone has advice?

 

[iRun26.2]

Okay, so I just got my new MBA 13" ultimate and this battery never seems to be fully charged (system shows 99% charging for over 1 hour now) and magsafe light been amber throughout the entire time.

I'm worried it may be a battery problem, tried resetting SMC two times but no effect. Anyone has advice?

Let it be that way over night. If it still is not green by morning, bring it to Apple for replacement.

 

[kapalua12]

Use the notebook on battery power alone and let it drain down to less than 70 percent. Even better, let it drain down completely, then charge it 2 hours past the point at which the magsafe light turns to green. You should be at 100 percent after it turns green.

I had the same situation on my new MBP 15" and did this, per Apple's instructions and it worked perfectly.

 

[Appleind]

one complete drain a month is recommended by apple

The support article
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1490

some geeky info regarding batteries
http://www.apple.com/batteries/

A webcal reminder for you to discharge your battery regularly
webcal://www.apple.com/batteries/images/notebook_icalreminder.ics

 

[zstar]

Thanks for the replies but I'm afraid it isn't a simple battery issue. You see, my magsafe NEVER turns green and my system just reports 99% - I've been charging for over an hour since my system reported 99% but it never reaches 100%, I'm pretty sure it doesn't take an hour to charge 1% on your MBA's right? Well, thats exactly the issue I'm facing.

Now when I plug in the magsafe, it flashes green for maybe 2-3 seconds before turning to amber at which the situation above repeats itself.

Wonder if anyone has experienced similar issues, I googled and found several other users having the exact same issue as me but no conclusive solutions.

 

[AppleGoddess]

Use the battery, it needs use.

 

[Appleind]

Thanks for the replies but I'm afraid it isn't a simple battery issue. You see, my magsafe NEVER turns green and my system just reports 99% - I've been charging for over an hour since my system reported 99% but it never reaches 100%, I'm pretty sure it doesn't take an hour to charge 1% on your MBA's right? Well, thats exactly the issue I'm facing.

Now when I plug in the magsafe, it flashes green for maybe 2-3 seconds before turning to amber at which the situation above repeats itself.

Wonder if anyone has experienced similar issues, I googled and found several other users having the exact same issue as me but no conclusive solutions.

Watch it for a day or two. If its the same take it back to the store

 

[tigres]

this is not normal behavior for a new machine.

Take it back, if it is exhibiting this now it's a sign.

 

[jw nyc]

this is not normal behavior for a new machine.

Take it back, if it is exhibiting this now it's a sign.

This is just wrong. The battery and the battery indicator need to be calibrated. It could say 99% but not REALLY be 99% b/c the system doesn't know your battery yet. Use the computer for about a week with both battery and on the charger and you should see this fix itself.

 

[DannySmurf]

Drain it below 90%, then plug it back in and leave it overnight. It sounds very much like what's reported as 99% isn't actually 99%.

If that doesn't correct the issue (ie, if an 8-hour plugin doesn't result in a full-charge report) then take it back immediately. That's probably a faulty charging circuit or battery.

 

[darngooddesign]

Disconnect the magsafe from the mac and then connect it again.

 

[Mr. Savage]

Yep, I'd take it back to Apple store. Should be easy to demonstrate the problem in the presence of a genius. First though, what is the condition/health of battery in System Profiler or iStat etc.?

EDIT: Just noticed you said you've only been using it for an hour. Use it on battery power for a while, then plug back in

 

[dmelgar]

Doesn't seem like a problem.

The point of a battery is to be able to run the laptop without being plugged in.

Does it power the laptop when not plugged in?
How long does it last?

If it lasts a good while off power, and you can recharge it, seems fine.

Most likely to be a calibration issue.

 

[alias99]

Is it ok to use a MBP magsafe charger on the MBA?

 

[KPOM]

Is it ok to use a MBP magsafe charger on the MBA?

Yes, the computer will only draw as much power as it needs.

 

[bowlerman625]

If it's convenient, I would error on the side of caution and take it back. You paid good, hard earned money for this and you deserve it perfect right out of the box. Anything less is just not satisfactory, no matter the product or the company who made it.

 

[tigres]

This is just wrong. The battery and the battery indicator need to be calibrated. It could say 99% but not REALLY be 99% b/c the system doesn't know your battery yet. Use the computer for about a week with both battery and on the charger and you should see this fix itself.

Then why is it that none of my 4 Mac laptops do this?

 

[KPOM]

If it's convenient, I would error on the side of caution and take it back. You paid good, hard earned money for this and you deserve it perfect right out of the box. Anything less is just not satisfactory, no matter the product or the company who made it.

x2. I'd at least take it to the Apple Store and have them look at it. Sometimes it's just a calibration thing (there were one or two times when my old MacBook Air did that), but normally after drawing the battery down a bit and recharging it gets back to 100%. It's possible the battery is defective.

 

[zstar]

Well, one reason I'm a little hesistant at getting this replaced is because it is literally perfect - hinge is very tight, 9CDF screen and well, basically flawless beside the battery issue. Taking it back might mean getting a replacement unit which could have other problems and the cycle repeats itself

And just the glimmer of a hope here, I resetted the SMC for the third time yesterday and the magsafe and computer finally reported charging, I left it there for an hour to begin calibration and am running down the battery now (typing this on the MBA!), hopefully when it's all done and done I'll never see the magsafe issue again.

I'll keep this thread updated, thanks for all the help and suggestions!

 

[KPOM]

Well, one reason I'm a little hesistant at getting this replaced is because it is literally perfect - hinge is very tight, 9CDF screen and well, basically flawless beside the battery issue. Taking it back might mean getting a replacement unit which could have other problems and the cycle repeats itself

If it makes you feel better, I had a 9CDF on my "dud" (the one that wouldn't come back from sleep), and got a 9CF0 on my replacement. I don't think I would have noticed any difference if I hadn't read the thread. It is still a very nice screen. The hinge is tight as ever (I think this is an area that Apple has definitely improved upon).

 

[cleric]

The other thing if you take it to the store is they can just run their battery diagnostic on it and tell you if it needs to be replaced or its a calibration issue.

 

[kashix]

Hmmmm.....

I seem to be having the same issue. No green light indicator.

My Macbook Air will charge normally, well when I had it - it would only charge up to 87% even after leaving the Magsafe in for 5 hours.

So went to the Apple store to get it checked and their Magsafe adapters actucally charge my Air beyond 87% - charging as normal.

So back at work tried charging it to 100% but the amber light would never show green even after 2 1/2 hours.

Bottom line, battery indicator would show it is fully charged with a power adapter sign. But the light would NEVER show green.

Faulty battery or charger?

 

[GGJstudios]

Bottom line, battery indicator would show it is fully charged with a power adapter sign. But the light would NEVER show green.

Faulty battery or charger?

Possibly neither. It can sometimes take many hours before a battery is fully charged and the light turns green. Is your battery properly calibrated, so the readings are accurate? Calibration steps are in the link below. Pay particular attention to the section on "CHARGING"

This should answer most, if not all, of your battery questions: Apple Notebook Battery FAQ

 

[n1tut]

As this is not normal behaviour, I can appreciate your concern. Fairly straight forward if everything is working as it should be, it should charge up to 100% and the light should turn from amber to green.

I regularly run my battery down to zero as I use it in bed and the charger is in the lounge. However I have had the same situation a couple of times where it went to 99% and stuck, but it then went back to normal on the next cycle.

tut

 

[GGJstudios]

I regularly run my battery down to zero as I use it in bed and the charger is in the lounge. However I have had the same situation a couple of times where it went to 99% and stuck, but it then went back to normal on the next cycle.

Read the first part of the CHARGING section in the FAQ I posted. It will explain why it may not charge to 100%.