My MacBook Air is shutting down when I remove the power cord even when the battery is fully charged

Introduction

MacBook Air is a popular laptop model from Apple that is known for its sleek design and long battery life. However, some users have reported issues with their MacBook Air shutting down when the power cord is removed, even when the battery is fully charged. This can be a frustrating problem, especially if you rely on your laptop for work or personal use. In this blog post, we will explore the possible causes of this issue and provide solutions to help you resolve it.

Causes of MacBook Air shutting down when power cord is removed

There can be several reasons why your MacBook Air is shutting down when you remove the power cord, even when the battery is fully charged. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Battery calibration issue

If your MacBook Air battery is not calibrated correctly, it can cause issues with power management. Calibration is the process of resetting the battery management system, which helps the laptop accurately measure the battery’s charge level. If the battery is not calibrated, it may show a full charge, but in reality, it may not have enough power to sustain the laptop when the power cord is removed.

2. Faulty battery

If your MacBook Air battery is faulty, it may not hold a charge properly, or it may not be able to supply enough power to the laptop when the power cord is removed. This can cause the laptop to shut down unexpectedly.

3. Power management settings

Power management settings on your MacBook Air can also cause the laptop to shut down when the power cord is removed. For example, if the laptop is set to hibernate when the lid is closed, it may shut down when the power cord is removed.

4. Malfunctioning hardware

If there is a hardware issue with your MacBook Air, it can cause the laptop to shut down unexpectedly. For example, a faulty power button, a damaged logic board, or a malfunctioning charging port can cause the laptop to shut down when the power cord is removed.

5. Software issues

Software issues can also cause your MacBook Air to shut down when the power cord is removed. For example, a corrupt operating system, outdated drivers, or malware can cause the laptop to shut down unexpectedly.

Solutions to fix MacBook Air shutting down when power cord is removed

Now that we have identified the possible causes of the MacBook Air shutting down when the power cord is removed, let’s explore the solutions to fix this issue.

1. Calibrate the battery

To calibrate the MacBook Air battery, follow these steps:

1. Charge the battery to 100%.
2. Keep the laptop plugged into the power cord for two hours after it reaches 100%.
3. Disconnect the power cord and use the laptop until it shuts down due to low battery.
4. Leave the laptop off for at least five hours.
5. Connect the power cord and charge the battery to 100% again.

This process should recalibrate the battery and help resolve the issue.

2. Replace the battery

If the battery is faulty, it may need to be replaced. You can take your MacBook Air to an authorized Apple repair center to have the battery replaced.

3. Adjust power management settings

To adjust the power management settings on your MacBook Air, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
2. Click on “Energy Saver.”
3. Adjust the settings to your preference.

Make sure to disable any settings that may cause the laptop to shut down when the power cord is removed.

4. Check for hardware issues

If you suspect that there is a hardware issue with your MacBook Air, you can take it to an authorized Apple repair center to have it checked. They can diagnose and fix any hardware issues that may be causing the laptop to shut down unexpectedly.

5. Check for software issues

To check for software issues, you can run a virus scan and update your operating system and drivers. Make sure to keep your laptop updated with the latest software to avoid any compatibility issues.

Conclusion

MacBook Air shutting down when the power cord is removed can be a frustrating issue, but it can be resolved with the right solutions. By calibrating the battery, adjusting power management settings, and checking for hardware and software issues, you can fix the issue and enjoy uninterrupted laptop use. If the issue persists, you can always take your MacBook Air to an authorized Apple repair center for further assistance.

There are several possible reasons why your MacBook Air might be shutting down when you remove the power cord, even when the battery is fully charged. Here are a few possibilities:

1. The battery is not holding a charge: If the battery is not holding a charge, it may not be providing enough power to keep the laptop running when the power cord is removed. In this case, you may need to replace the battery.

2. The power management system is not functioning properly: The power management system is responsible for controlling the flow of power to the laptop, including switching between the battery and the power cord. If this system is not functioning properly, it could cause the laptop to shut down when the power cord is removed.

3. There is a problem with the charging circuit: The charging circuit is responsible for charging the battery and providing power to the laptop. If there is a problem with this circuit, it could cause the laptop to shut down when the power cord is removed.

4. The laptop is experiencing a hardware issue: There could be a hardware issue causing the laptop to shut down when the power cord is removed. This could be caused by a damaged component, such as the motherboard or the power supply.

To troubleshoot the issue, you may want to try the following steps:

1. Check the battery: Make sure that the battery is properly installed and that it is holding a charge. You can check the battery level by clicking on the battery icon in the menu bar.

2. Reset the SMC: The System Management Controller (SMC) is responsible for managing power on your MacBook. Resetting the SMC may help fix any issues with the power management system. To reset the SMC, follow these steps:

• Shut down your MacBook
• Disconnect the power cord
• Hold down the power button for 10 seconds
• Release the power button
• Connect the power cord
• Turn on the MacBook

3. Check for hardware issues: You may want to try running a hardware diagnostics test to see if there are any issues with your MacBook’s hardware. You can do this by restarting your MacBook and holding down the D key while it boots up. This will launch the Apple Hardware Test. Follow the prompts to run the test.

4. Take the laptop to a repair shop: If you are unable to fix the issue on your own, you may need to take the laptop to a repair shop for further diagnosis and repair.

5. Check for software issues: It’s possible that a software issue could be causing the laptop to shut down when the power cord is removed. You can try resetting the NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) and the PRAM (Parameter Random Access Memory) to see if this helps. To reset the NVRAM and PRAM, follow these steps:

• Shut down your MacBook
• Press the power button to turn it on
• Immediately press and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys together
• Keep holding the keys until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for a second time
• Release the keys

6. Check for updates: Make sure that your MacBook is running the latest version of macOS. You can check for updates by going to the App Store and clicking on the Updates tab.

7. Check for battery-related issues: There could be an issue with the battery that is causing the laptop to shut down when the power cord is removed. You can try resetting the battery by following these steps:

• Shut down your MacBook
• Disconnect the power cord
• Remove the battery
• Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds
• Reinsert the battery
• Connect the power cord
• Turn on the MacBook

I hope these suggestions are helpful! If you are still having issues with your MacBook Air shutting down when the power cord is removed, you may want to consider taking it to a repair shop or contacting Apple for further assistance.

Cool, it looks like your battery is over.

There are two important measures you need to observe in a laptop battery: voltage and amperage.

What happens is that your Mac shows that the battery is fully charged due to the voltage, but when you disconnect the laptop from the power cord it shuts down due to not having enough ampere in its battery.

You can use some commands on the terminal to check the battery’s amperage.

Type in the terminal:

[apcode language=”bash”]

$ system_profiler SPPowerDataType

[/apcode]

This command will display a series of information about your Mac’s power settings.

To see only the battery information and find out the current amperage, type in the terminal:

[apcode language=”bash”]

$ system_profiler SPPowerDataType | grep -i "charge information" -A 10

[/apcode]

This will show a screen like this:

[apcode language=”bash”]

Charge Information:
          Charge Remaining (mAh): 2483
          Fully Charged: Yes
          Charging: No
          Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 3427
      Health Information:
          Cycle Count: 1453
          Condition: Service Battery
      Battery Installed: Yes
      Amperage (mA): 0
      Voltage (mV): 12233

[/apcode]

As you can see, even though the voltage is high, there is no amperage in your battery. This means that the battery does not have enough power to turn on your Mac.

So when you remove the power cord, the battery doesn’t support your Mac’s power demand, so it shuts down.

The solution may be to replace your battery with a new one. Prefer a battery with a warranty of 12 months or more, even if it is more expensive, it should last much longer.

If you have manual skills, you can buy a battery online and replace it yourself.

Just open the bottom cover of your Mac (removing and marking the position of the screws), remove the flat cable that connects your battery to the motherboard by opening the molex connector with a tool and then carefully remove the part.

The battery design may vary, but the replacement procedure is similar to any laptop.

After carefully reassembling your MacBook Pro, you will see it working as new.

Enjoy!