Short answer:
An aftermarket USB-C charging cable can damage the USB-C port controller on an M1 MacBook Air, causing the device to stop turning on and disabling both USB-C ports at once.
What Happened in one of our user Case?
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Issue: Device completely dead, not turning on
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User habit: Regular use of an aftermarket USB-C charging cable
The MacBook showed no response, no charging symbol, and no power-on behavior.
Why Aftermarket USB-C Cables Are Dangerous for MacBooks
Aftermarket or low-quality USB-C cables often fail to follow proper USB-C Power Delivery (PD) standards.
This can result in:
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Incorrect voltage negotiation
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Power spikes or unstable current
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Missing protection resistors
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Poor shielding and grounding
Modern Apple Silicon MacBooks are extremely sensitive to power quality.
What Actually Gets Damaged Inside the MacBook
Inside the MacBook Air are USB-C port controller chips responsible for:
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Power negotiation
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Charging control
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Data communication
When an aftermarket cable misbehaves:
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The USB-C controller short-circuits or fails
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Power negotiation collapses
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The MacBook refuses to turn on
Why Both USB-C Ports Stop Working Together
This is a critical detail most users don’t know.
On the MacBook Air M1 (A2337):
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Both USB-C ports are paired internally
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If one port controller fails, the system disables the other port as well
So users often say:
“Both my USB-C ports suddenly died.”
This is not coincidence — it’s by design.
Apple’s Recommendation vs Reality
Apple typically recommends:
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Full logic board replacement
This approach:
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Is extremely expensive
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Often unnecessary
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May risk data loss
What Was Done Instead (Component-Level Repair)
A chip-level repair was performed:
✔️ Faulty USB-C port controller replaced
✔️ Proper voltage negotiation restored
✔️ Normal current draw returned
✔️ MacBook powered on normally
✔️ All user data preserved
💰 Cost: ~⅓ of Apple’s quoted price
What This Means for You
If your MacBook Air M1:
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Doesn’t turn on
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Shows no charging response
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Was charged using an aftermarket cable
There is a very high chance the USB-C controller is damaged — not the entire logic board.
What You Should Do Next
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Stop using the aftermarket cable immediately
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Avoid repeated power attempts
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Seek a chip-level MacBook repair specialist
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Don’t rush into logic board replacement
FAQ
Can third-party USB-C cables damage MacBooks?
Yes. Poor-quality cables can destroy USB-C controllers.
Will switching ports fix the issue?
No. Both ports are paired internally.
Is data loss guaranteed?
No. In most controller-failure cases, data remains intact.
