Magsafe or battery??

[Lynne326]

Hello! I wonder if someone can answer my question. I have a macbook that suddenly won't charge. I can't tell if I need to replace the battery, or if I need to replace the magsafe block. The block isn't frayed and it's only a few years old. The battery drain pretty quick, but it would charge before. When I plug the magnetic end to the computer the tiny green light should stay on, but it flashed between red and green and then goes off completely.

Any suggestions?

Thanks so much!
Lynne

 

[Apple_Robert]

What model year Mac do you have and how many battery cycles? When you plug in the MagSafe, do you see an X where the battery charging symbol is?

 

[MBAir2010]

what year is the macbook pro?
you could test that on another macbook since they are interchangeable


my macbook air 2010 won't show the green light sometimes,

these adaptors don't last that long about several years

 

[boss.king]

From experience, it's most probably the battery (or the logic board can controls charging). You could try another charger if you can get your hands on one, or try your charger on another Mac — that would be the simplest way to start narrowing it down.

 

[Lynne326]

What model year Mac do you have and how many battery cycles? When you plug in the MagSafe, do you see an X where the battery charging symbol is?

It's an oldie, a mid-2010. The cycle said 253, but it can go to 1000. No, I don't see an X there, just the battery symbol that drains and doesn't charge. Thank you.

 

[Lynne326]

what year is the macbook pro?
you could test that on another macbook since they are interchangeable


my macbook air 2010 won't show the green light sometimes,

these adaptors don't last that long about several years

It's a mid-2010. But it just doesn't charge. I have a Macbook Air, but it has a different connection so I can't test it. Thank you.

 

[Lynne326]

From experience, it's most probably the battery (or the logic board can controls charging). You could try another charger if you can get your hands on one, or try your charger on another Mac — that would be the simplest way to start narrowing it down.

Thank you, I have a Macbook Air, but it has a different connection so I can't test it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

It's an oldie, a mid-2010. The cycle said 253, but it can go to 1000. No, I don't see an X there, just the battery symbol that drains and doesn't charge. Thank you.

If this is the original battery, chances are very good that the battery is shot. Yes, today's batteries (on average) can last to 1,000 charges (or more) but, a lot of that depends on how often it has been left plugged in, temperature and other variables.

 

[MBAir2010]

It's a mid-2010. But it just doesn't charge. I have a Macbook Air, but it has a different connection so I can't test it. Thank you.

oh
my macbook air 2010 had charging problems in November, so i purchased a new battery and everything is great!
im am happy with the new one and i am (trying to) type on this MBA (in the darkness)
hopefully it is the charger and i would check the battery health as mine was red last month.
that is the only way to make sure

 

[Lynne326]

If this is the original battery, chances are very good that the battery is shot. Yes, today's batteries (on average) can last to 1,000 charges (or more) but, a lot of that depends on how often it has been left plugged in, temperature and other variables.

Thank you. It's not the original battery, but it's also not a genuine Apple battery. Any idea where to purchase a compatible battery that is close to the original?

 

[Lynne326]

oh
my macbook air 2010 had charging problems in November, so i purchased a new battery and everything is great!
im am happy with the new one and i am (trying to) type on this MBA (in the darkness)
hopefully it is the charger and i would check the battery health as mine was red last month.
that is the only way to make sure

Thank you for the info!

 

[dreamerstree]

Those models can run without the battery even in it. If you’re not getting a light, it means the power isn’t getting to the main logic board. You can try to reset the system management controller by removing the bottom of the computer and disconnecting the battery from the main logic board and connecting it to the charger to see if it responds. If it doesn’t, it’s either a bad charger, a bad MagSafe board, or a bad main logic board. Also, check to make sure there are no obstructions in the MagSafe port. I’ve seen staples get magnetized into there and screw up the connection. Pencil lead can also get sucked up into there.

 

[Lynne326]

Those models can run without the battery even in it. If you’re not getting a light, it means the power isn’t getting to the main logic board. You can try to reset the system management controller by removing the bottom of the computer and disconnecting the battery from the main logic board and connecting it to the charger to see if it responds. If it doesn’t, it’s either a bad charger, a bad MagSafe board, or a bad main logic board. Also, check to make sure there are no obstructions in the MagSafe port. I’ve seen staples get magnetized into there and screw up the connection. Pencil lead can also get sucked up into there.

Thank you very much for all these suggestions!

 

[Fyrus]

First things in these situations, before getting technical, is cleaning the port and/or connector with alcohol.
After that you should try and get your hand on another charger from a friend or family member to see if that fixes anything. Otherwise it is inside your macbook, which might make thing complicated. Aftermarket batteries aren't known for their quality sadly.

 

[D3ggy]

Hello! I wonder if someone can answer my question. I have a macbook that suddenly won't charge. I can't tell if I need to replace the battery, or if I need to replace the magsafe block. The block isn't frayed and it's only a few years old. The battery drain pretty quick, but it would charge before. When I plug the magnetic end to the computer the tiny green light should stay on, but it flashed between red and green and then goes off completely.

Any suggestions?

Thanks so much!
Lynne

Hi

I had this issue and took it to a Genius Bar, they quoted daft money to fix it. I took it home opened it up, reseated the battery connector and hey presto fixed.

If you follow iFixit guides its easy enough to do. I also fixed an unresponsive keyboard and trackpad on another machine using the same approach.

 

[Lynne326]

Thank you

Hi

I had this issue and took it to a Genius Bar, they quoted daft money to fix it. I took it home opened it up, reseated the battery connector and hey presto fixed.

If you follow iFixit guides its easy enough to do. I also fixed an unresponsive keyboard and trackpad on another machine using the same approach.

Thank you. I figured out that I need a new one, when I wiggle the cord where it connects to the block and hold it, the light stays on, when I let go the light goes out.

 

[Lynne326]

Thanks all for all your help and suggestions! I figured out that I need a new one, when I wiggle the cord where it connects to the block and hold it, the light stays on, when I let go the light goes out.

 

[profcutter]

Yeah, sometimes you can get a little more life out of the charger by flipping it when you connect it and it doesn't light up. Often, dirt and metal shavings can collect in the MagSafe port, so cleaning it out is also a good bet. Often, if the charger is old enough, once it starts to fray, it's gone.