Your MacBook won't switch on. Your iPad is completely dead. Your iPhone won't charge. The panic sets in, and then comes the question that keeps most people from calling a technician: how much will this cost?
We've handled this conversation thousands of times at our Hyde Park workshop. People expect catastrophic repair bills when there's no power. The reality is often far simpler, and cheaper, than you think. We've diagnosed and repaired over 28,000 Apple devices across Johannesburg in the last five years, and power issues represent a significant portion of those jobs. Most no-power faults fall into predictable categories.
This guide walks you through what "no power" actually means, what diagnosis costs, and what you should expect to pay when you bring your device to ZA Support in Hyde Park. Every figure below is a starting price. The final price is confirmed only after we assess your specific machine, because the model, the fault, and the parts your device needs all change the work involved.
What "No Power" Actually Means
When you say your device won't power on, you could mean several different things, and that distinction matters for cost.
Your device might be completely unresponsive: pressing the power button does nothing. No screen flicker. No vibration. No boot chimes. This is the most common scenario we see, and it's often the least expensive to repair.
Alternatively, your device might show signs of life but won't fully boot. Perhaps your Mac starts up and then restarts in a loop. Perhaps your iPhone shows the Apple logo but freezes. Perhaps your iPad responds to touch but the display remains black. These scenarios suggest software issues mixed with hardware problems, and diagnosis becomes slightly more involved.
You might also have a device that charges but won't power on, a crucial distinction that usually points toward battery or logic board complications rather than simple charging port failure.
The language matters because technicians need to understand exactly what's happening to price the work accurately. When you call or visit, be specific about what you observe. "My MacBook won't turn on, but the charging light comes on" tells us far more than "it's broken."
Our No-Power Assessment: R599 Flat Rate
At ZA Support, we charge R599 for a comprehensive no-power diagnostic assessment. This is a flat rate, non-refundable, but entirely transparent. Here's what you get.
We perform a physical inspection of your device, checking for obvious signs of water damage, physical trauma, or corrosion. We examine charging ports, power buttons, and external connectors. We test the device with multiple power sources and certified chargers. We use diagnostic software to check what the device's hardware reports, if anything.
This assessment typically takes between 45 minutes and two hours depending on the device type and complexity. By the end, we'll give you a specific diagnosis: whether the fault lies with the battery, charging port, logic board, or something else entirely.
Importantly, if you proceed with repairs at ZA Support, we credit the R599 assessment against your repair invoice. So you're not paying extra, you're paying for certainty.
Common No-Power Faults and What They Cost
Battery depletion and charging port issues represent roughly 40% of the no-power faults we diagnose. A MacBook battery replacement starts from R2,500, depending on the model. For iPhones and iPads, battery replacement starts from R1,200. Charging port repairs or replacements start from R1,200. These are entry prices, and we confirm the exact figure for your model once we have the device in front of us.
Logic board repairs cost more, but they are a less common sole cause of no-power issues than people assume. When we diagnose a genuine logic board fault, the cost depends on whether we can repair the board at component level (from R3,000) or whether it needs a full replacement (from R3,500 for most models). Most devices we see don't need a full board replacement. We often identify specific components on the board, power management circuits, charging controllers, or voltage regulators, that can be micro-soldered or replaced. This targeted approach is why logic board repair at ZA Support usually costs less than a complete replacement.
Liquid damage complicates everything. Coffee spilled on your MacBook yesterday? Tea on your iPhone last week? The liquid doesn't always kill your device immediately, but it interferes with the power system first. Liquid damage diagnosis and cleaning starts from R800. Repairing the damage, which might involve component-level work, starts from R3,000 depending on severity and affected components.
Software-related no-power issues (frozen boot loops, stuck Apple logos) rarely require expensive hardware replacement. We might need to perform a DFU restore via a second device, update firmware, or in rare cases, replace the storage drive. These are usually among the most affordable repairs we do, and we confirm the exact cost after diagnosis.
Turnaround Times and Warranty
Most no-power repairs are completed within 3 to 5 working days at our Hyde Park location. Battery and charging port jobs usually take 1 to 2 days. Logic board work takes longer, typically 3 to 5 days, because we often need to order specific components or coordinate micro-soldering work with our specialist technicians. These are indicative timings, and you will have a confirmed lead time once we have assessed your machine.
Every repair we complete comes with a warranty. Most jobs carry a 12-month warranty on parts and labour. Complex logic board repairs are backed by a full 3-year warranty, giving you genuine peace of mind. This warranty covers the specific component we repaired or replaced, but not accidental damage or liquid exposure that occurs after the repair.
Load shedding affects our workshop like everywhere else in Johannesburg, but our diagnostic equipment and soldering stations are backed by battery power and generators. We've never had a repair interrupted or delayed because of power cuts, a practical advantage of working with a workshop that understands Johannesburg's reality.
Why DIY Power Repairs Usually Cost More in the End
We regularly see devices that end up costing several times more to repair because someone tried a DIY approach first. Forcing the power button. Opening the device without proper tools or grounding equipment. Attempting to clean liquid damage with household materials. Buying a knockoff battery online and installing it incorrectly.
Each of these usually results in secondary damage, scratched logic boards, disconnected ribbon cables, damaged sockets, that turns a straightforward battery job into a far costlier repair. We're not saying this to scare you. We're saying it because we've seen it hundreds of times. A R599 assessment upfront is the cheapest insurance against accidentally breaking something that wasn't broken before.
The Apple Support website has good guidance on basic troubleshooting, and we recommend starting there if the device is only a few minutes into a problem. But if you've already tried the obvious steps and nothing's changed, a professional assessment is the right call.
How to Get Started
Contact us online, call us during business hours, or WhatsApp us on 064 529 5863 to describe your device and fault. We'll often give you a preliminary indication of cost over the phone, though the full picture only emerges after diagnosis.
You can book online at zasupport.com/book for a specific date and time if that suits you better, or simply walk into our Hyde Park workshop with your device and we'll fit you in between appointments.
Bring your device charger with you, even if it doesn't seem to work, we'll test it as part of the diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will you diagnose my no-power device for free?
No. The R599 assessment is a flat, non-refundable fee. However, this fee is credited against your repair invoice if you proceed with work at ZA Support. We've found that a small diagnostic fee ensures we take every fault seriously and give you an accurate, detailed report, rather than offering vague guesses. The fee also deters people from bringing in devices that might be functioning normally, keeping our queue focused on genuine repairs.
Q: How long will the diagnosis take?
Most no-power diagnostics take between 45 minutes and two hours. Complex cases or devices with multiple symptoms might take longer. We'll give you a time estimate when you book in. If you need the device back urgently, let us know when you arrive and we'll prioritise you where possible.
Q: Is the warranty valid if I drop my device after repair?
No. The warranty covers manufacturing defects and the specific fault we repaired, but not accidental damage. If we replace your battery and you drop the MacBook a week later, that's outside warranty. The warranty also doesn't cover liquid exposure or intentional damage.
Q: Why does the assessment cost money when I might just take it to Apple?
Apple doesn't charge for diagnostics, they charge for repair, and often recommend replacement over repair. We charge for diagnosis because our diagnosis is genuinely detailed. We tell you what's wrong, what it'll cost, and how long it'll take before you decide. Apple's diagnosis typically ends with a recommendation to replace the entire logic board. Ours ends with something specific, like a failed charging controller that we can repair at component level from R3,000 and have done in a couple of days. That specificity is worth R599.
Q: What if you diagnose something I don't want to repair right now?
Completely fine. You walk out with a diagnosis report. You can take that report to any technician, to Apple, or keep it for later. We're not pushing you into immediate repairs. If you decide to bring the device back to us within 30 days, we'll credit the original assessment fee against your repair cost. Beyond 30 days, the assessment fee is separate.
Q: Do you repair devices from other brands, or only Apple?
We specialise exclusively in Apple devices, MacBooks, iMacs, Mac minis, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches. This specialisation is why we're confident in our diagnostic accuracy and warranty. We don't have a separate price list for other brands. Bring us a device and we'll tell you straight if it's something we handle.
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