Tech Support: M1 MacBook Air is rebooting to recovery partition, any thoughts on what I can do?

[WhiteShadow]

Apple said that my M1 MacBook Air is rebooting to recover partition because of a camera corruption and it would require a display replacement for $500 as we are not out of our three year warranty. I checked iFixit and they charge $400 for the part and it doesn't seem like I can just buy the camera alone.

Is this true? Should I try to reinstall the OS? Can I open this thing up and just disconnect the camera? I'd rather not have a camera than not have a computer at all.

 

[Ben J.]

If it was me, I'd certainly try to reinstall macOS. Couldn't hurt.

Camera corruption? Replace the whole screen? Craziest thing I've ever heard, but not surpriced. People seem to be getting more and more bad advise as it seems the level of competance of so-called service personell are more like shop assistants these days.

 

[cjsuk]

They replace the entire lid as it's laminated.

As a former embedded systems engineer, the description "camera corruption" sounds like a load of bollocks to me. Did they write that down anywhere? I'd go back and scream at them.

 

[WhiteShadow]

Thanks for your replies!

Here are the notes copy pasted from the work authorization

"Ran diagnostics - camera and ambient light sensor failing, all other components pass
Checked console and found that camerad launch agent is causing crashes
This camerad is launch agent that makes camera function
Erasing will not resolve issues as it is tied to camera hardware."

 

[cjsuk]

Ah ok if the ambient light sensor is duff then you've had it.

I'd probably try reseating the display connector in case flexing it has worked something loose. Fairly easy to do. Just requires following the below up to disconnect display then do it in reverse.

MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Screen Replacement

Use this guide to replace the screen (aka the display) in a Late 2020 MacBook Air (M1).

www.ifixit.com

If that fails I'd probably buy an iCloud locked M1 Air off ebay (they go stupid cheap at least here) and swap the display out with yours.

 

[WhiteShadow]

Thanks, sorry I misrepresented what was said/written on the form.

I'll give the reseating a try and then start watching eBay! I just took a look and they are ~$200, so at least half Apple's cost.

 

[cjsuk]

No worries. Good luck and hope you find a decent one

 

[Ben J.]

"Ran diagnostics - camera and ambient light sensor failing, all other components pass
Checked console and found that camerad launch agent is causing crashes
This camerad is launch agent that makes camera function
Erasing will not resolve issues as it is tied to camera hardware."

My apologies for jumping to conclutions and questioning their competance in my previous post, then.

 

[OLDCODGER]

Have you tried blocking the camera with black tape, since you can live without it?

I always do this with cameras, even if supposedly off, and it’s never stuffed any thing else up.