MacBook Charger not working - How To Fix (9 TIPS)

What can you do when your MacBook charger is not working? How can you fix your MacBook charger? Here we have 9 tips to help you get back up and running with your device.

If you find your own fix, please share down below in the comments as it will help other MacBook users 🙂.

MacBook Charger not working – How To Fix (9 TIPS)

MacBook Charger not working

1. Inspect the wall adapter for damage

If the wall adapter is damaged it may not correctly conduct the power from the power source to the MacBook. It is important to check the adapter for any damage as soon as you notice an issue.

First, check that the prongs are in working order. Ensure they are not bent, cracked, or broken.
Next, shine a light inside the USB port and look for foreign particles or damage.
Look over the body of the adapter and make sure there are no cracks, breaks, or dents.
Try to plug a charging cord into it, and plug it into a different device. This will check if it is working appropriately.
If this does not work, even if you do not see any damage, try another wall adapter altogether.

You can also try to charge the MacBook from any other USB port you may have access too, although the included wall adapter is the best option.

2. Inspect the charging cord

Next, you will inspect the charging cord. Check it over. Look into the USB and make sure there is no dust, dirt, or other foreign material.

Check for any dents, breaks, cracks, or bends.
Now carefully go over every inch of the cord itself.
Check the cord for any obvious kinks, bends, dents, or damage to the casing around the wire.
Finally, plug the cord’s USB into an adapter that you know is working perfectly, and plug the charger into another device that you know is charging correctly.

If the device charges, great. If it does not, try another wire for your MacBook.

3. Inspect and clean the MacBook charging port

A dirty charging port can block the flow of electricity and not allow the charger to work properly on the device. It is important to clean the charging port often, just as you would do any other routine maintenance.

Turn your MacBook off and get a bright light and a toothpick.
Use the light to look inside the MacBook’s charging port to check for dust, debris, and other foreign material.
If you see anything that does not belong, gently use the toothpick to remove it.
You can also use compressed air to clear away any loose dust or debris.
Point the straw into the charging port and press the trigger.
This will remove any loose debris and dust.
Plug the charging cord back into the charging port.

4. Try a different outlet

Sometimes, the outlet we are trying to use is not conducting electricity properly. This can be due to a faulty outlet, loose wiring, or a bad breaker.

Remove the wall adapter from the outlet and remove the charging cord from the MacBook.
Find another outlet, preferably one on a different breaker than the one you already had it plugged into.
Plug that adapter into another outlet.
Plug the cord back into the MacBook.

5. Check your battery health

Battery health can determine how well a MacBook both takes and holds a charge. There are 2 ways to check battery health. Option 1 should give you a good idea, but option 2 is the more detailed health information.

Option 1:

Hold the option key until a menu pops up.
Choose the battery indicator.
Click on “Condition” to get your battery’s basic health.

Option 2:

Find the Apple logo in the menu bar.
Choose “About this Mac”.
Now choose “System Report”.
Go into the “Hardware” section and choose “Power”.
The battery condition will be listed under the “Health Information” section.

6. Restart the MacBook

Sometimes all you need a simple reboot. The hardware can freeze just like any other computer part, and restarting can often fix this issue.

Unplug the MacBook.
Click on the Apple logo.
Choose “Restart” from the options.
Allow the MacBook to completely restart.
Allow the MacBook to reboot completely, and then plug the charging cord back in.

7. Reset the System Management Controller

The System Management Controller, or SMC, is one of the primary components of your MacBook that has control over the battery indicator and power management. Resetting the SMC may make the MacBook both accept and indicate a charge.

There are two ways to do it based on the model of MacBook you have.

Option 1: Removable battery

Shut down your computer completely.
Remove the battery.
Press and hold the “Power” button for 5 seconds. Release it.
Reinstall the battery into your MacBook.
Turn the MacBook back on.

Option 2: Battery that can’t be removed.

Shut down your MacBook entirely.
Press and hold the Shift-Ctrl-Option + Power button for 10 seconds.
Release all the keys at once, and turn the MacBook back on.

8. Allow the MacBook to cool down

Although MacBooks do not usually overheat, it is possible. All electronics run the risk of overheating and malfunctioning. Even though it is unlikely, it is still a good idea to test this theory.

Unplug the charger from the MacBook’s charging port.

Turn the MacBook completely off.

You can put a fan on the MacBook, or set the MacBook on an electronic cooling pad.

Leave the MacBook to cool for several hours, until it is completely back to room temperature and none of the components have been active for an extended period of time.

Turn it back on and plug the charging cord back in.

9. Contact Apple Care

If all else fails, Apple Care can help you with any questions about repairs and replacements. Hopefully one of these fixes resolve the MacBook charger not working issue.

Call Apple Care at 800–275–2273

Visit them on the web at https://www.apple.com/contact/