Yeti 500X to charge Macbook Pro 16''

yyy

When using USB-C PD to charge a Macbook Pro 16'' the charge does not work, but only the Macbook rings continuously. Also, the Yeti's display shows 0 W from Output. Is this particular unit wrong? I purchased 2 of them and they acted the same. In the advertised video here (https://www.goalzero.com/collections/portable-solar-generator-kits/products/goal-zero-yeti-500x-portable-power-station-boulder-100-briefcase-kit) shows the Yeti can charge Macbook Pro through USB-C PD. Can someone tell me what is wrong here? Why I can't charge the laptop with USB-C PD?

Thanks!

GOAL ZERO ADMIN

Hi @yyy

We are sorry to hear about the issue you are having with your 500X. Do you happen to know the firmware on the unit? You can check this by holding the Units and Lights buttons at the same time. The number that comes up on the right hand side of the screen will be the firmware. Can you also send us an email with your proof of purchase? Our email is support@goalzero.com.

jrm_ca

@yyy and @GOAL ZERO ADMIN , did you solve this issue? I just bought a Yeti 500X and the USB-C PD port will not charge any of my laptops — including a 2021 Macbook Pro 16" M1, a 2020 Macbook Air M1, a 2016 Macbook Pro 13", and 2022 Dell Precision 7670 — or an iPhone 12 Mini (it continuously cycles between charging and not charging over about a 6 second interval). If I press and hold the Units and Light button to view the firmware, I see 118 next to a flashing percent sign. I've also tried resetting (holding the “Units” and “Info” button for 3 seconds) a few times, but it made no difference.

Glenn

Same issue here. Brand new Yeti 500X. Software version 118. I also reset and that didn’t help.

if I had to guess, I’d say the USB PD negotiation is failing, possibly because the MacBook is asking for 90 watts, but the 500X only wants to supply 60 and they can’t agree on 60 watts.

Please let me know soon or I may have to return it.

GOAL ZERO ADMIN

Hi @Glenn,

This is partially the reason as to why it fails with specific item. The main reason is the bidirectionality of the 60W PD port. This causes the MacBook to switch between input and output so fast that nothing happens. This was fixed recently with a firmware update. Please contact our solution center if you are experiencing this with your serial number for them to look into this. Their contact information is below:

https://www.goalzero.com/pages/contact

JohnJimenez

Hellooo. I had a conversation via mail with Bran and he told me that I have to send my unit and Goalzero could send me a new one as a warranty... but he told me that there is no firmware update... so the people who read the thread of this topic and has his 500x ready to update the firmware, they will not.

Or, if there is a firmware update it would be perfect!!

Thanks

White_Rhino

Having this exact same issue with 200x to MBP 16", is there a way to check firmware and/or do a firmware upgrade or is this something I would have to return the battery to get support?

timmer0222

I have also the same problem with my macbook. Is there a solution so far?

Unfortunately the warranty is expired since february 2024.

Ely

Sometimes it‘s a issue with the cable. Try a other USB-C cable. I‘m use a cable from Anker and a no name from Amazon with my MacBook Pro M1 and with my iPhone 15 Pro Max and it works and charges with the 200x, 500x and 1000x without any issues.

timmer0222

@ely thanks for the hint. Will try it.