Why does the battery not charge after long storage on MacBook Air M1 2020?
Why does the battery not charge after long storage on MacBook Air M1 2020?
I recently took my MacBook Air M1 out of storage, only to find that the battery won’t charge. I had left it unused for several months, thinking it would be fine if I stored it with some remaining charge. However, now when I plug it in, there’s no sign of the battery charging or the LED indicators turning on. The screen remains black, and there are no startup sounds. I’ve tried different chargers and outlets, but nothing seems to work. I’m not sure whether the battery has degraded due to the long period of inactivity or if there’s something wrong with the charging system. It’s particularly frustrating because the laptop was functioning perfectly before I stored it.
7 Answers
I’ve experienced this issue with my MacBook Air M1. The solution for me was to reset the SMC. Here’s how you can do it:
- Completely shut down the MacBook.
- Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds and release it.
- Wait a few seconds and then press the power button again to turn it on.
This reset the system management controller and my battery started charging again.
Updating software can sometimes fix this issue. Here’s what I did:
- Plugged in the MacBook and powered it on.
- Connected to Wi-Fi and checked for any macOS updates.
- Installed the latest software update.
Post-update, my battery started charging again, and the issue was resolved as the bugs in the previous version might have been affecting the battery.
Resetting the NVRAM may solve the problem. Follow these steps:
- Shut down your MacBook.
- Turn it on while holding these four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R.
- Continue holding the keys for about 20 seconds.
This action addresses several hardware-related issues, including battery charging problems. It worked for me and might work for you as well.
To prevent this issue in the future, it’s crucial to store the laptop correctly. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Store the laptop with a 50% charge.
- Keep it in a cool, dry place.
- Avoid leaving it completely drained or fully charged.
Using this method has significantly improved my battery’s longevity over long-term storage periods.
If you’re still facing the charging issue, it might be best to visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider. They can perform a thorough diagnostic test that could uncover internal issues that aren’t obvious. In my case, an expert technician identified and fixed a problem with the charging circuit.
Inspect your charging accessories for potential issues. Often, the charger itself can be the culprit rather than the battery. Here’s what I did:
- Plugged in a different, known-working charger.
- Checked for any debris in the charging port.
- Inspected the charging cable for damage.
Switching to a different charger resolved my issue and my MacBook started charging properly.
Contacting Apple Support was extremely helpful for me. I encountered similar battery issues, and the representative guided me through several troubleshooting steps, such as checking the battery status in System Preferences and performing a Safe Mode restart. Eventually, they found that my battery needed replacement, which was covered by the warranty.