Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
USB C Port Failure - M1 Macbook Air
- Thread starter bag99001
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I've had one of my usb-c fail on my Air too. Of all my previous macbooks, I've hardly had any failures and it was barely out of warranty.
Edit: Cut a cable tie to a sharp slither and used it to poke around inside faulty socket. Now about 95% better but still disconnects if I wiggle it hard.
Edit: Cut a cable tie to a sharp slither and used it to poke around inside faulty socket. Now about 95% better but still disconnects if I wiggle it hard.
Last edited:
I am not sure if there is a higher failure rate on these specific Macbooks - that may be possible, but likely only Apple knows from internal repair data.
I'm going to guess that USB C is an industry problem but maybe more pronounced on the M1 airs for some metallarugal or manufacturing reason. If you google USB C port failure can, it is a pretty common complaint - my theory (without any true knowledge...) was that the port was not designed initially as a charging port with frequent plugins/unplugs as laptops but rather as an alternative to USB C with higher speed options.
If you have warranty available, use it and get the factory to replace the defective connector. If out of warranty, consider to invest into some tools to attempt the repair yourself. If the laptop works and fault is isolated to a single port then then very likely the issue is local to the mechanical connector itself. You can purchase these from AliExpress, Mobile Sentrix and a few others on Amazon. Tools to open your box are a must. As a suggestion to all, never ever unplug the type c adapter while it is hot and actively plugged into your port. In this mode, the type c power delivery is at 20v with upto 5A of current. When you unplug hot, the contacts can cross short to lower voltage pins and this will damage the cd321* controller ICs. This will then cause a serious damage leading to a $1000+ logic board repair. Instead, first unplug the type c adapter from the wall and then from the port. For more details, open a thread on the badcaps website. Myself and others will try to assist.
Intermittent disconnects are most probably caused mechanically.
Dust, lint gunk and debris getting stuck in the port. Or the port getting loose.
Q-tip / cotton ear buds soaked in IPA (pharmacy grade) acohol (Costco stuff is great) will be an excellent way to clean up the debris on the top and bottom side of the Type C connector blade. Likely some growth of chia pets on the contacts.
I have this issue and I also have AppleCare+ and an Apple store less than 15 minutes drive. And, not joking, I'm going to pay the $18 to do it myself rather than visit the miserable, arrogance- and smugness-filled, overly "diverse" dystopia that is The Apple Store. In fact, I'd pay double that.
The USB-C connector design in general. It was never designed for durability but rather mass production and cost effectiveness.