Apple Thunderbolt Display randomly stopped charging any MacBooks...

Question

Apple Thunderbolt Display

27" display with 2560 x 1440 pixels resolution Thunderbolt & MagSafe cable attachments

160 Questions View all

h.hersemann @highner_

Rep: 1

Posted: May 11, 2020

Options

Apple Thunderbolt Display randomly stopped charging any MacBooks...

Hey there,

recently, I put my MacBook Pro (2015) on my Thunderbolt Display to charge it up, as I always do. When I came back to it after a few hours, I noticed that it stopped charging, the laptop was around 60%. I tried re-connecting the MagSafe from the Thunderbolt Display and powered it off for a few minutes, but it didn't help - it seems that it won't charge any MacBooks anymore... The display functions normally otherwise, even though it makes a clicky noise when the brightness is at the maximum. It's very silent, but noticeable.

I did some research if this is a common problem, the only thing I found was that its sometimes the MagSafe converters that fail after some time. This is not the case for me, I connected an old MacBook (where the converter isn't needed to charge it) and got the same result - no charging.

The cable coming off the display is in pristine condition, no splits or fraying (yet), so replacing that probably won't solve my problem. The normal power adapter that came with my laptop still functions flawlessly.

My question would be if this happened to any of you as well and how could you fix this? Could this point to a defective logic board? Is it possible to have that repaired or should I get the whole board replaced?

Your help is very much appreciated!

UPDATE: See below what coconut battery indicates, in the bottom I specify the case.

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No

Score 0

1 Comment:

@highner_ To be clear, the MagSafe chargers connector LED was either Amber or Green and the displays MagSafe connector was not lit at all - Correct?

May 12, 2020 by Dan

Add a comment

2 Answers

@highner_ To be clear, the MagSafe chargers connector LED was either Amber or Green and the displays MagSafe connector was not lit at all - Correct? — Dan

Dan @danj Rep: 480.3k Self employed contract worker 35 330 971 · Answer 1 · 2020-05-11T14:16:21-07:00

Dan @danj

Rep: 480.3k

Self employed contract worker

35

330

971

Posted: May 11, 2020

Options

What happens when you use the original MagSafe charger that came with your system?

Also is the MagSafe chargers LED Amber or Green?

Lets install this gem of an app on your MacBook Pro CoconutBattery with the TB display MagSafe plugged in take a snapshot and post it here for us to see Adding images to an existing question

You may want to inspect the MagSafe connector for damage. Review this Apple T/N Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters

You’ll need to take the display apart to get the the MagSafe power connector internally and check it with a volt meter. Here’s the guide you’ll need to follow Apple Thunderbolt Display Thunderbolt & MagSafe Cable Replacement Take the display off following the steps to Step 8. At Step 9 you’ll need to disconnect the left connector (one with the green ferrite choke) this is the MagSafe power connection. Make sure its connected and using a DVM measure the voltage across the pins ( ~ 14 Volts).

Guide

Adding images to an existing question

Difficulty:

Very easy

—

2 - 5 minutes

Apple Thunderbolt Display Thunderbolt & MagSafe Cable Image

Guide

Apple Thunderbolt Display Thunderbolt & MagSafe Cable Replacement

Difficulty:

Moderate

—

50 minutes - 2 hours

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No

Score 0

1 Comment:

hey, thanks for the tip!

I updated the question with various screenshots from coconut battery.

The normal power adapter that came with my laptop still functions flawlessly, so I don't see that there is a problem with the laptop or its connector. however the display won't charge any other MacBooks, as I said above.

The MagSafe cable of the Display looks perfect though - all pins look great, and there is no fraying. The problem might be inside the Display, at least thats what I was thinking.

cheers!

May 12, 2020 by h.hersemann

Add a comment

Daniel Cassel @rebootninja Rep: 16 Reboot Ninja 4 1 1 · Answer 2 · 2024-05-10T16:37:02-07:00

Thanks for posting this question, and for the response - it's helping me out too.

I'm having a similar issue, but the end of my cord definitely IS frayed, altho it was working fine until recently.

A few days ago I put some white heat shrink tube over the cord and heated it with a small battery-powered soldering iron that took a long time and didn't get as hot as I'm used to.

I'm worried I damaged the cabling inside the magsafe cord.

FWIW, I'm using a magasfe 1-2 adapter and charging a 2015 15" MBP that works fine with other chargers.

MacOS sometimes says not charging, other times says it is. Currently Coconut battery says charging with 8.8 watts, I'm at 54% state of charge.

I'll monitor with coconut battery and see how it does next week.

We have another Thunderbolt display in the office with a frayed cable, I was planning to shrink-tube that one too, but now I'm not sure it's a great idea.

Love the displays, just want to keep them chugging along if at all possible.