MacBook Air Charges via USB-C but MagSafe 3 Blinks Amber
Asked by
MellowPine47
My MacBook Air 2, purchased in June 2024, was charging normally until I noticed the MagSafe indicator blinking amber. It had reached 100% earlier, but now the MagSafe connection no longer charges the laptop. I cleaned the charging port carefully with a brush and wooden toothpick, but that did not help. The light starts blinking about four seconds after connecting and continues for roughly two seconds after I unplug it. Charging through USB-C with an Android cable works, though I'm worried about whether using that cable could affect battery health. What could be causing the MagSafe problem, and what should I replace or test first?
Answers
Using a good-quality USB-C cable and a charger with the correct USB Power Delivery rating should not damage the battery. The Mac manages the charging process itself. However, an ordinary phone cable or low-power adapter may charge slowly or fail to charge under load, so it is best to use a properly rated USB-C cable and adapter.
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Since the Mac charges through USB-C, the battery and charging system are probably working. The issue is more likely with the MagSafe cable, its connector, or the power adapter. Try another compatible MagSafe 3 cable first; if the amber blinking continues, test with another correctly rated Apple-compatible adapter. Also check the MagSafe port and connector for debris or bent contacts, but avoid digging further with anything metallic.
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QuietMaple63: Testing the adapter with an iPhone only confirms that it can provide some USB-C power; it does not prove that the MagSafe cable or its charging circuitry is working. The cable is the first part I would swap.