2021 MacBook Pro 16" MagSafe Light Flashing Amber and Power Chime Repeating During Charging When Off

[Amazing1]

Hi everyone!

I just received the new 2021 M1 Pro MacBook Pro 16" yesterday. This is my first Mac and I'm experiencing what I believe might be an issue, as I can't find any information about it online.

I've already charged the device to 100% with no issues. When on, charging seems to work as expected.

However, when the MacBook is off, the MagSafe light indicator continuously flashes amber to off to amber (etc.) every few seconds, while making the power chime sound every time. This only occurs when off. It's quite annoying and frustrating.

Has anyone experienced the same? I don't think this is intended behaviour but if anyone knows more, it would be appreciated if shared.

Thanks!

EDIT:
Thankfully, after doing a full system erase, the flashing amber light and beeping are both gone. Now, when plugging in when off, the adapter seems to take a moment to flash once between red/red or green, but remains correctly solid following that, without any power chime noise after the first.

Plugging in when on immediately shows the correct solid amber or green light which I would still probably prefer to happen when off, but I can't say this is an issue as it is obviously much more acceptable behaviour than obnoxious flashing and noise. Also, I saw elsewhere that earlier MacBooks with MagSafe may have also quickly changed the indicated colour before staying solid when off.

Given this, I think everything is working as intended now, or at least much more reasonably, I would say. I'm not quite sure what the issue was, but it was and is concerning enough still, that I'll keep an eye out.

EDIT 2 (Oct. 31):
Issue is back, seemingly no fix as of yet. May be a problem with adapter or cable as some have suggested. More insight in thread comments.

 

[LuisN]

Hi everyone!

I just received the new 2021 M1 Pro MacBook Pro 16" yesterday. This is my first Mac and I'm experiencing what I believe might be an issue, as I can't find any information about it online.

I've already charged the device to 100% with no issues. When on, charging seems to work as expected.

However, when the MacBook is off, the MagSafe light indicator continuously flashes amber to off to amber (etc.) every few seconds, while making the power chime sound every time. This only occurs when off. It's quite annoying and frustrating.

Has anyone experienced the same? I don't think this is intended behaviour but if anyone knows more, it would be appreciated if shared.

Thanks!

Don't turn off your computer. It's not intended. If you do disconnect the power cord. Problem solved!

 

[Amazing1]

Don't turn off your computer. It's not intended. If you do disconnect the power cord. Problem solved!

Hi Luis,

Thanks for confirming my suspicions!

Thankfully, after doing a full system erase, the flashing amber light and beeping are both gone. Now, when plugging in when off, the adapter seems to take a moment to flash once between red/red or green, but remains correctly solid following that, without any power chime noise after the first.

Plugging in when on immediately shows the correct solid amber or green light which I would still probably prefer to happen when off, but I can't say this is an issue as it is obviously much more acceptable behaviour than obnoxious flashing and noise. Also, I saw elsewhere that earlier MacBooks with MagSafe may have also quickly changed the indicated colour before staying solid when off.

Given this, I think everything is working as intended now, or at least much more reasonably, I would say. I'm not quite sure what the issue was, but it was and is concerning enough still, that I'll keep an eye out.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[portreathbeach]

My brand new MacBook Pro 14 inch will not charge at all from the MagSafe charger. It works on USB C though.
Surely I should t have to erase the machine for it to work!

The MagSafe brick will charge my phone, so the brick is ok. Once I got the power chime when I plugged it into the MacBook, but only lasted a few seconds.

My old 2010 MacBook never had any issue like this and it’s still working today.

I’ll get hold of Apple support.

 

[white7561]

My brand new MacBook Pro 14 inch will not charge at all from the MagSafe charger. It works on USB C though.
Surely I should t have to erase the machine for it to work!

The MagSafe brick will charge my phone, so the brick is ok. Once I got the power chime when I plugged it into the MacBook, but only lasted a few seconds.

My old 2010 MacBook never had any issue like this and it’s still working today.

I’ll get hold of Apple support.

Yeh. Could be a bug or just the cable. I'd prob try the reset first.

 

[CarbonCycles]

By full system erase, are you talking about reinstalling the OS or just PRAM reset?

 

[chabig]

By full system erase, are you talking about reinstalling the OS or just PRAM reset?

M1 machines don't have PRAM reset.

 

[white7561]

By full system erase, are you talking about reinstalling the OS or just PRAM reset?

The go to disk utility, erase volume groups, and reinstall MacOS..

Nowadays on apple silicon, when you erase volume groups (the Macintosh HD) it'll erase the nvram, and everything like touch id data etc.

So if it's because of nvram or system bug. Doing this should fix it. No reason not to try though

 

[CarbonCycles]

M1 machines don't have PRAM reset.

correction..MVRAM.

 

[chabig]

correction..MVRAM.

Do you mean NVRAM? M1 Macs don't have a reset for that. That's only for Intel Macs.

Mac startup key combinations - Apple Support

Learn about the Mac features and tools that you can access by holding down one or more keys during startup.

support.apple.com

 

[CarbonCycles]

Good grief. The M and N keys. One thing about Apple users. Very precise 🤣🤣

 

[CaptainCharlie]

I have the same issue after update mac os 12.0.1
is you using the same version?
I think before is fine !!
Maybe is the os bug ?
Now I'm using usbc to charging my new macbook pro

​

 

[CaptainCharlie]

just like this!!

 

[white7561]

Has anyone tried using the same cable with other PD adapter? That's at least 45w ++?? And see if it's an issue? It seems like either an adapter PD issue with the MagSafe cable. I've had this kinda thing with my type c to MagSafe 2 cables. Sometimes the cable doesn't support some charger and got glitchy. It'll turn on and off like that cycling Everytime. But yeh. It's prob not the charger. Prob the cable tbh not the laptop.

But we don't know unless we have 2 MagSafe 3 cables

 

[portreathbeach]

I had a problem with my MacBook 14 inch and charger. The power brick part was outputting power, but the MacBook would not charge from the MagSafe 3 cable. I phoned Apple and after explaining what the problem was, they sent a new one and now it's all working.

 

[white7561]

I had a problem with my MacBook 14 inch and charger. The power brick part was outputting power, but the MacBook would not charge from the MagSafe 3 cable. I phoned Apple and after explaining what the problem was, they sent a new one and now it's all working.

The cable or?

 

[portreathbeach]

It was the cable.

 

[CaptainCharlie]

Has anyone tried using the same cable with other PD adapter? That's at least 45w ++?? And see if it's an issue? It seems like either an adapter PD issue with the MagSafe cable. I've had this kinda thing with my type c to MagSafe 2 cables. Sometimes the cable doesn't support some charger and got glitchy. It'll turn on and off like that cycling Everytime. But yeh. It's prob not the charger. Prob the cable tbh not the laptop.

But we don't know unless we have 2 MagSafe 3 cables

I have tried the other PD adapter it work !!
so is the new macbook pro PD adapter problem?

 

[white7561]

I have tried the other PD adapter it work !!
so is the new macbook pro PD adapter problem?

So the same cable. It works with other PD charger right? Then yeah it could be either actually. That's the thing with PD . It could be a bug with the PD adapter or the cable (because I assume it has a PD chip that communicates with the charger) its better just to exchange both since it could be either..

Sometimes it's like my type c to MagSafe 2 cable which is buggy with my one powerbank. Or it could be just the PD source (charger or powerbank) that is bugging out with that particular cable pd chip.


So yeah I suggest exchanging both just to be sure and to save time and a headache

 

[Amazing1]

Hi everyone! I appreciate that there has been some more support in this thread. I apologize I had not responded, I did not notice there was any engagement as I hadn't received any notifications through email.

I've come to say that after initially thinking I fixed the issue, it has returned days later. I'll try to answer a few questions below.

By full system erase, are you talking about reinstalling the OS or just PRAM reset?

I erased the entire system through the new erase tool in macOS, and this worked for a few days. I also reinstalled macOS to the latest version to be safe. This is no longer working to fix this issue, and erasing my computer every time is not a permanent or feasible solution.

I have the same issue after update mac os 12.0.1
is you using the same version?
I think before is fine !!
Maybe is the os bug ?
Now I'm using usbc to charging my new macbook pro

​

I immediately updated to 12.0.1 when I got my computer.

just like this!!

This is exactly what the issue is!

I have tried the other PD adapter it work !!
so is the new macbook pro PD adapter problem?

So the same cable. It works with other PD charger right? Then yeah it could be either actually. That's the thing with PD . It could be a bug with the PD adapter or the cable (because I assume it has a PD chip that communicates with the charger) its better just to exchange both since it could be either..

Sometimes it's like my type c to MagSafe 2 cable which is buggy with my one powerbank. Or it could be just the PD source (charger or powerbank) that is bugging out with that particular cable pd chip.


So yeah I suggest exchanging both just to be sure and to save time and a headache

Perhaps you two are right in it being an issue with the adapter or cable. I'll try to contact support to find out more information, as this issue is back and continues to persist.



Thanks everyone for the replies. I would hope to hear back from some of you soon to see if you've managed to fix the issue beyond some of the solutions presented here. I hope everything works out for everyone!

Keep in touch.

 

[Fatem]

Would be great to hear the reaction from the support. I also will contact the support on Tuesday after our holiday in Germany tomorrow.

I also checked the following support article, but none of the steps helped.

If your MagSafe cable or power adapter isn't working - Apple Support

Learn what to do if the MagSafe cable or power adapter that came with your Mac laptop computer stops charging or exhibits other behaviors.

support.apple.com

I have the same issue on my 16“ MacBook Pro. After contacting Apple Support today they initiated to send me new charging equipment which will reach me Tuesday/Wednesday.
Apple Support works on holidays as well, at least in Germany
Once I get the new charger+cable, I will report.

 

[Fatem]

My Magsafe charger is kind of distorted, see the photo I made. Is this the case for you guys as well?

 

[Fatem]

I had also contact with the Apple Support today. I will receive new charging equipment. I will also report after the test with the new charger and cable.

I don‘t think my MagSafe charger is distorted.

Yours seems to be fine. Let‘s hope that the replacment solves the issue.

 

[Amazing1]

Hi again everyone! It's great to hear back from all of you.

Would be great to hear the reaction from the support. I also will contact the support on Tuesday after our holiday in Germany tomorrow.

I also checked the following support article, but none of the steps helped.

If your MagSafe cable or power adapter isn't working - Apple Support

Learn what to do if the MagSafe cable or power adapter that came with your Mac laptop computer stops charging or exhibits other behaviors.

support.apple.com

I have the same issue on my 16“ MacBook Pro. After contacting Apple Support today they initiated to send me new charging equipment which will reach me Tuesday/Wednesday.
Apple Support works on holidays as well, at least in Germany
Once I get the new charger+cable, I will report.

This is great news. I hope the new charging equipment works. I also contacted Apple Support by phone, and because I don't have AppleCare, they said they're unable to replace just the charging equipment. The option to replace the charging equipment and MacBook Pro was available, but I don't want to replace the whole package.

The only option I have now is to buy new charging equipment and see if that works; unfortunately the 140W adapter won't be available for 3-4 weeks. The cables are available immediately so I will get another cable to see if that works in the meantime.

My Magsafe charger is kind of distorted, see the photo I made. Is this the case for you guys as well?

I had also contact with the Apple Support today. I will receive new charging equipment. I will also report after the test with the new charger and cable.

I don‘t think my MagSafe charger is distorted.

My MagSafe cable is not distorted.

Thanks for the great communication so far!

 

[Amazing1]

Hi again everyone! It's great to hear back from you.



This is great news. I hope the new charging equipment works. I also contacted Apple Support by phone, and because I don't have AppleCare, they said they're unable to replace just the charging equipment. The option to replace the charging equipment and MacBook Pro was available, but I don't want to replace the whole package.

The only option I have now is to buy new charging equipment and see if that works; unfortunately the 140w adapter won't be available for 3-4 weeks. The cables are available so maybe I will get another cable to see if that works in the meantime.



My MagSafe cable is not distorted.



Thanks for the great communication so far!

Update:

I managed to borrow a 61W adapter from a 2020 M1 MacBook Pro. Using this adapter with the same MagSafe cable to charge, the amber light appears alongside a power chime, then the light turns off, and then the light reappears solid amber without any following power chime or changes to the light after that, and I'm assuming it continues to charge stably thereafter. The sudden change from amber to off to amber is a bit strange, but I would say that's normal, especially rather than changing endlessly, with the power chime activating each time as well. Can anyone confirm this (in bold) as normal behaviour for those who have their charging working properly now?

Given this information, I am assuming that the problem is unfortunately the adapter, at least for my issue. Regardless, I will get another cable just in case, and wait 3-4 weeks for a new adapter!

I will update again after getting a new cable.

Hopefully this information is helpful.