Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacBook Air 2013 not booting, SSD not detected in Recovery Mode or Disk Utility

zeebytes

zeebytes

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 25, 2023
7
0
Hello forum members,

I'm facing a perplexing issue with my MacBook Air 2013 and seeking your valuable assistance in resolving it. Here are the details of the problem and the troubleshooting steps taken:

Problem:

  • My MacBook Air 2013 is not booting up properly.
  • Model A1466 EMC 2632
  • When attempting to access Recovery Mode, the SSD does not appear as an option.
  • In Disk Utility within Recovery Mode, only the "MacOS Base System" volume of 2 GB is visible, while the actual 256 GB SSD is not detected.
Troubleshooting Steps Taken:

  1. I attempted to reinstall the operating system in Recovery Mode to resolve the booting issue. However, during the reinstallation process, no SSD was detected or listed as an option for installation.
  2. In an effort to resolve the issue, I also performed a reset of the NVRAM/PRAM.
  3. I opened up the MacBook Air and verified the connection of the SSD to ensure it is properly seated and connected.
Additional Information:

  1. The MacBook Air was functioning normally, but battery did not keep charging so I had to do a Power reset every other day
  2. I replaced its battery with an aftermarket one.
  3. The Mac worked fine for 2-3 weeks after that and then this booting issue occurred.
  4. Is there any connection b/w me replacing the Battery and this issue?
  5. I have regular Time Machine backups stored on a different external drive.
Request for Assistance:

  1. Can anyone provide insights into why my MacBook Air is not booting and why the SSD is not appearing in Recovery Mode or Disk Utility?
  2. Are there any additional troubleshooting steps I can undertake to diagnose and potentially resolve this issue?
  3. Could this problem be related to a faulty SSD, or is it more likely a connection or logic board issue?
  4. If the SSD itself is functioning properly, how can I retrieve my important data, considering I have Time Machine backups stored on a different external drive?
I sincerely appreciate any guidance, suggestions, or insights you can offer to help me resolve this problem. Thank you all in advance for your assistance and expertise!
 
It is possible that the SSD is defective and needs to be replaced.

Have you tried installing the OS to an external drive and booting from the external as a test to make sure it can run an OS without issue?

Have you tried running the onboard diagnostics by powering on and holding down the D key?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ignatius345
Audit13 said:
It is possible that the SSD is defective and needs to be replaced.

Have you tried installing the OS to an external drive and booting from the external as a test to make sure it can run an OS without issue?

Have you tried running the onboard diagnostics by powering on and holding down the D key?
Click to expand...
I haven’t tried installing OS on external drive due to lack of drive.

But I have ordered a replacement drive looking forward to plug the new drive in and see if it works.

Does the current behavior match with what a failed drive would do?


Also will try onboard diagnostics now.
 
I tried the diagnostics by pressing down & holding D key it went through that and reported possible power adapter issue and then asked me to choose a language and connect to internet followed by the same recovery screen as with CMD R.
 
Audit13 said:
The current behaviour does indicate a failed drive. I experienced a similar situation with a MacBook Pro 2014 and it was a dead SSD.
Click to expand...
How did you get out of this? just replacing with new drive?
 
Just ordered this and hoping this will resurrect the mac and then I can use my time machine backups to restore files.

1685048537986.png
 
It did not work. New SSD installed but same problem; the only disk that shows up in Disk Utility is OS X Base System 200 MB. Also I do not understand this "Make sure the MacBook is running at least a High Sierra bootrom"; how can I do this when my MBA is not booting at all? prior to this it had Mac OS Catalina. Did I buy wrong SSD?

WhatsApp Image 2023-06-05 at 12.13.16 PM.jpeg
 
If your MacBook was upgraded to the latest release of Catalina while it was running an OEM SSD, the firmware would have been updated during the OS upgrade process.
 
mba 2015 replacement third party nvme ssd sn550 1t needs an adapter card
WX20230606-033301.png
WX20230606-033723.jpg
 
If you are trying to install, while booted to internet recovery - your MBAir originally shipped with (probably) Mavericks, and possibly Mountain Lion. Neither will see an NVME card. You can see exactly the version that you are trying to install by starting the "Reinstall OS X". You will need, at minimum, High Sierra. Even better, reinstall the same system that you have been using: Catalina. Make the installer for Catalina on another Mac, then boot to that bootable USB installer on your MBAir.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back