Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) troubleshooting

Published specification

What is true of this model and changes how you fix it

• What owners run into
  Typical reports are an Air that does not start after travel because the battery drained, external displays that go black, a MagSafe light that stays amber and Bluetooth that drops.
• How to approach a fault
  Charge for half an hour before judging a dead Air, update macOS, and disconnect accessories if it stalls at start-up.
• Finding your model
  Apple menu, About This Mac shows the chip and serial number. Use the serial number for repairs and for checking coverage on Apple's website.
• When it will not start
  After travel the Air may be flat. Plug in the MagSafe cable, look for the light and wait half an hour before pressing the power button, which is also Touch ID. If it still does nothing, hold the button for about ten seconds, then try Recovery.
• External displays and docks
  A faulty dock or display chain can stall start-up or leave a display black. Disconnect everything, start the Mac, then add devices one at a time to find the culprit.
• Back up before you travel
  Because travel causes many Air faults, make a Time Machine or iCloud backup before a trip and carry a USB-C or MagSafe charger. If the Air will not start on arrival, charge it for half an hour and try again. Avoid leaving it in a hot car or a cold hold, where the battery may be damaged.
• If the screen goes black
  A black screen with the keyboard lit usually means the display is off, not the Mac, so press a key, check the brightness keys and try an external display. A flat battery looks the same, so check the MagSafe light. If the Air starts but shows nothing, restart by holding the power button and then try Safe mode before you book a repair.
• Accessories that suit it
  Choose a MagSafe cable and a 35 or 70 watt adapter, and keep a USB-C cable as a backup. A hub that passes power and a display lets you use the Air at a desk, and a Thunderbolt cable of the right rating avoids low display speeds. A thin sleeve protects it in a bag, and a stand lifts the keyboard for comfort and cooling. Avoid a case that blocks the vents under the hinge, and do not place a heavy bag on the closed Air.

Manufacturer support for this product line. Apple Support — Apple product support. Official Apple model, operating-system, repair, connection and settings guidance.

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