2019 16-inch MacBook Pro no power case study

27/08/2025•7 minute read

Case study graphic: MacBook Pro 16 Died Mid Use, 800,000 Files

Published 27 August 2025. Updated 25 October 2026.

2019 16-inch MacBook Pro no power case study explains how data was recovered from an unresponsive MacBook Pro after a logic board power fault. The laptop would not turn on or respond to charging, and the issue was traced to a short circuit affecting the NAND power line.

Table of Contents

Case Study Summary

Device: 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro (A2141)
Problem: No power and no response
Fault found: Short circuit on the NAND power line, with corrosion under a component
Recovery result: Over 800,000 files recovered, including 50,000 photos and videos and 25,000 documents

2019 16-inch MacBook Pro no power case study technical overview

This MacBook Pro arrived completely unresponsive. In the video, the data recovery engineer used a multimeter to confirm abnormal readings and then narrowed the fault to a short circuit on the NAND power line. Because the NAND chips store the data, a power supply failure at this point can stop the entire system.

Corrosion was found under an original component on the logic board. The recovery required component-level work to restore stable power to the NAND area so the data could be accessed safely.

Logic board repair steps used to access the data

Based on the video, the data recovery engineer completed the following repair work as part of the recovery process:

Identified the short circuit on the NAND power line using a multimeter
Found corrosion under an affected component
Replaced the NAND power IC
Removed a damaged capacitor
Reballed the power chip to rebuild the connections

For general background on Apple security and how modern Macs protect storage access, see Apple’s documentation on platform security: Apple Platform Security.

Data recovery results

After the repair work restored stable power conditions, the data was recovered successfully. The video states that over 800,000 files were saved, including:

50,000 photos and videos
25,000 documents
Applications and other user data stored on the onboard SSD

Why People Choose Payam Data Recovery

When a MacBook will not start, its data is usually locked to its own chips, so those chips have to be working again before anything can be copied. That is the work we do every day.

We are a specialist data recovery lab, not a computer repair shop. We have been recovering data since 1998, from over 300,000 devices.
We are listed on Apple’s data recovery provider page, one of three recommended data recovery providers.
Board level repair under the microscope by our own data recovery engineers, here in Australia and never outsourced overseas.
Over 2,000 IT companies and computer shops across Australia send us their customers’ complex cases, and data recovery labs and IT companies in more than 50 countries have sent us their difficult cases over the past ten years.
Your data stays private. Our data recovery engineers open only a few random, non-sensitive files to check the recovery worked, and we can sign an NDA on request.
Rated 4.9 from over 2,400 Google reviews.
See your files before you pay. You tell us which files matter most. Before you pay for the recovery, we’ll send you a list of your recovered files so you can check them. If any of the files you listed are missing, tell us and we’ll search again.
Pay by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Link or PayPal, split the cost with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4, or pay by bank deposit (EFT).

We are not the cheapest. We are the best in Australia at this work. We know what to do, how to do it, and we will do our very best for you. Your best chance of getting your data back is with us.

Service process

For MacBook and other non-mobile devices, we provide a free assessment and quote. Quotes are typically provided within 1 to 2 business days. Work starts only after approval.

Payam Data Recovery has laboratories in Sydney CBD, Rhodes NSW, Melbourne CBD, and Brisbane CBD. Secure drop-off offices are available in Adelaide CBD and Perth CBD. International customers are welcome and we have regular clients in the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The easiest way for an international customer to reach us is by email at help@payam.com.au, which works in every time zone.

Payam Data Recovery works with individuals, students, families, small and medium businesses, IT companies, and organisations that need their data recovered safely and professionally. Some customers come to us with a single damaged device containing personal memories, while others rely on us for complex technical recoveries that require specialist tools and experience.

We are based in Australia and have been recovering data since 1998. Our clients also include governments, law enforcement agencies, corporations, and public figures. Every job is handled with 100 percent confidentiality and privacy.

Get a free quote

Read more about our MacBook Data Recovery Service

Email: help@payam.com.au
Phone: 1300 444 800

Frequently asked questions

My MacBook will not turn on and does not respond to the charger. Where do you start?
With a multimeter on the logic board. Abnormal readings narrow down where the fault is before anything is touched. On this A2141 the trail led to a short circuit on the NAND power line.

What is the NAND power line and why does it stop the whole machine?
The NAND chips are the storage. If the power supply to that area fails, the machine cannot start and the data cannot be reached, even though the chips themselves are undamaged.

What caused it here?
Corrosion underneath an original component on the logic board. It was not visible from the surface, which is why the fault had to be traced electrically rather than found by eye.

Does the MacBook have to be repaired for the data to come back?
On Apple machines with soldered storage, usually yes. Stable power has to be restored to the NAND area before anything can be read, which is component level work rather than a parts swap.

How much came back?
Over 800,000 files, including 50,000 photos and videos and 25,000 documents.

What does MacBook data recovery cost, and when do I pay?
Every MacBook starts with a free assessment, then a written quote with Economy, Priority and Emergency service levels. Most MacBook SSD recoveries are no fix, no fee. If a job carries an extra cost, we quote it first, and you choose whether to go ahead. You pay at the end. Before that final payment we send you a complete file list and a video preview so you can check the quality first.

Related MacBook data recovery case studies

Video Transcript

Click to expand full transcript

Imagine this. You could be working on your laptop. Then suddenly it turns off dead. Will not turn on even after trying to charge it and it’s suddenly unresponsive. Hi, it’s Mike here at Payam Data Recovery and I just watched one of their data recovery engineers figure out what went wrong with this unresponsive 2019 16in MacBook Pro. This MacBook came in with absolutely no power and I watched as the technician made his diagnosis with a multimeter. After some thorough detective work using specialised tools, he pinpointed the problem. A short circuit on the NAND power line. The NAND chips are where all the data is stored. So when their power supply fails, the entire system unfortunately goes down. He found corrosion under the original component. This meant that he had to not only replace the NAND power IC, but also remove a damaged capacitor and completely reball the power chip, essentially rebuilding hundreds of microscopic connections. If this MacBook went to another repairer or data recovery company, it would have been deemed impossible to recover and the owner would have been told all their data has been lost forever. Instead, at Payam Data Recovery, over 800,000 files were saved, including 50,000 photos and videos, 25,000 documents, and all the applications and every other file that was ever saved to the onboard SSD. This case study shows that if you have a damaged MacBook and you have been told that the data is gone and you need the logic board replaced, reach out to a company like Payam Data Recovery and there is always hope that your files can be saved.

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