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The larger of Apple's MacBook Air laptops featuring dual microphones and 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity.

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Power button works, but won't turn on

My MBA stopped turning on.

Doing an SMC reset I can see that the power button works (the led on the magsafe flashes green), and it is charging because after a while the green light stays on solid.

But no response when I try turning it on.

I'm wondering if this could be an issue with the lid (hall effect?) sensor or if it's likely to be something more serious?

Any advice greatly appreciated

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What model you have and has anything happened prior to this? Like liquid spillage or a drop? Or did this just occur randomly one day

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You cant hear any fans or anything like that? No boot up chyme nothing? If you can hear anything then the computer powers on but is not getting video which could be an issue with the Display. I would check to make sure nothing is running first perhaps try pressing and holding P, R, Command and Option hole that while the computer turns on and let it chyme twice that is if you can hear anything. That might give you a display image. Let us know if your hearing a fan or anything kick up suggesting power but no screen.

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No previous liquid spillage or drop; it was working one day and not the next.

There are no fans or chimes when pressing the power button; just complete silence.

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Chosen Solution

Unplug the battery, I/O cable (cable which goes over fan) and trackpad cable. After doing this, plug in the charger. If it powers on, process of elimination to find out whether it is the I/O cable, I/O board, battery, trackpad cable, trackpad or keyboard shorting a signal to ground.

Check the back and front of the logic board for liquid damage. Chances are there is liquid around the SMC chip preventing it from booting, this is very common in 13" Airs. Clean with 95%+ isopropyl and if not successful, the board will require diagnosis. At this point, if you don't know how to microsolder, it is best sending it to a MacBook repair shop.

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Thanks Reece,

This was very helpful.

At this stage I think I will take it to MacBook repair shop; get them to diagnose.

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Logic board replacement fixed the issue.

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Most Helpful Answer

In addition to Reece's answer try a PRAM reset:

Here's how to reset your PRAM:

Shut down your machine. Yes, all the way down, not sleep or logging out.

Press the power button and then press command-option-p-r. ...

Hold those keys down until your Mac reboots again and you here the startup chime.

Let go of the keys and let your Mac reboot normally.

Apple also has a "rate Rate Depot Repair"

Total with tax and shipping $357. Total time 4 days. Shipping is FedEx overnight and they send you the shipping box. This is if it does not have impact or water damage.

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