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Apple Battery Update 1.2 (#3): More symptoms that can indicate battery replacement is needed; calibrating

Apple Battery Update 1.2 (#3): More symptoms that can indicate battery replacement is needed; calibrating

CNET staff
2 min read

Yesterday we noted an Apple statement indicating that if the following symptoms occur after applying Battery Update 1.2, the battery may need to be replaced:

  • "Battery is not recognized causing an 'X' to appear in the battery icon in the Finder menu bar.
  • Battery will not charge when computer is plugged into AC power.
  • Battery exhibits low charge capacity/runtime when using a fully charged battery with a battery cycle count of less than 300 (to determine cycle count, see Apple Knowledge Base article #305405)
  • Battery pack is visibly deformed." (see this MacFixIt article for pictures)

Specifically, based on reader reports, the following occurrences may indicate a a hardware battery defect:

  • Power lasts for only a few minutes: As described succinctly by one reader: "The battery was perfectly good (only 130 cycles) and could run for 2-3 hours before this update. Now it runs for 5-20 minutes and then my MacBook Pro dies completely."
  • System does not run on battery at all, losing power immediately when the power adapter is disconnected

For more information on getting your battery replaced, see this Apple Web page.

Try calibration Before sending you battery in for service, however, you may want to try calibrating it, via the following steps adapted from Apple Knowledge Base article #86284.
  • Plug in the power adapter and fully charge the battery.
  • With external power still connected, allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for at least two hours.
  • Disconnect the power adapter with the computer still on and start running the computer off battery power. Use your computer or allow it to idle until the battery is drained fully, and the system goes to sleep (save all current work and quit applications before this happens).
  • When the computer falls asleep, turn it off by holding the power button and leave it off for 5 hours.
  • Reconnect the power adapter and allow the battery to charge fully.
  • Check for persistence of the problem.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

Resources

  • #305405
  • this MacFixIt article for ...
  • Apple Web page.
  • #86284
  • Late-breakers@macfixit.com
  • Apple Battery Update 1.2 (...
  • Apple Battery Update 1.2 f...
  • More from Late-Breakers