I can charge my Macbook when it's shut down .. computer doesn't recognise anything plugged into Thunderbolt ports inc hard drives and the charger. I replaced the thunderbolt ports but problem still the same. Apple diagnostics thinks there might be a problem with charging - Apple code PPP020.
Any ideas?
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 15.3
Sounds like you most likely have a hardware issue with the Logic Board if the I/O Boards were replaced.
If the laptop has four ports, then did you replace the I/O Boards on both sides? Sometimes a problem with one USB-C port can affect all of the USB-C ports.
You can also try rotating the USB-C connector 180º degrees upside down. If the USB-C ports are only half bad, then this may work as it may use the working half of the port.
Personally I advise against spending any more money on repairs to this laptop for multiple reasons.....one reason is the Logic Boards for the 2018-2020 Intel Macs tend to have much higher rates of failure. The money spent on repairs is much better put towards a new laptop.
Sounds like you most likely have a hardware issue with the Logic Board if the I/O Boards were replaced.
If the laptop has four ports, then did you replace the I/O Boards on both sides? Sometimes a problem with one USB-C port can affect all of the USB-C ports.
You can also try rotating the USB-C connector 180º degrees upside down. If the USB-C ports are only half bad, then this may work as it may use the working half of the port.
Personally I advise against spending any more money on repairs to this laptop for multiple reasons.....one reason is the Logic Boards for the 2018-2020 Intel Macs tend to have much higher rates of failure. The money spent on repairs is much better put towards a new laptop.
Haggisnut wrote:
My MacBook has only 2 thunderbolt ports on the left side. It’s an M1 silicon machine.. it just surprises me that the battery charges when shut down but is not recognized when running.. after replacing the ports I can’t think of anything else other than a logic board issue.
You have confirmed a hardware issue.
Why does it charge when powered off? Because all of the power is going to charge the battery instead of trying to power a running system. When running the Retina model laptops, the power is also being pulled from the battery. Without a battery on the M-series Macs, the system won't even power on & boot (more extreme than the Intel models where the T2 models would just boot extremely slowly...taking perhaps hours to boot).
If using a USB-C cable to charge while running at the same time, remember that there are THREE different classes of Power Delivery through different USB-C cables.
The standard USB-C cable can carry up to 60 Watts from a power adapter. That is NOT enough to charge AND Run a some MacBook Pro models. That could explain the declining charge battery while attempting to charge..
some Premium USB-C cables can carry 100 Watts power, and this is about the right amount for normal charging while running of that MacBook Pro.
some Super-Premium USB-C cables can carry 240 Watts power, and that (on Macs with that feature) might be able to Fast charge your Mac, possibly even while running.
Do you have the power plugged in when running the diagnostic? This is needed
My MacBook has only 2 thunderbolt ports on the left side. It’s an M1 silicon machine.. it just surprises me that the battery charges when shut down but is not recognized when running.. after replacing the ports I can’t think of anything else other than a logic board issue.
Macbook Pro 13 late 2020 Thunderbolt ports don't recognise drives or power adapter - until it's shut down
