Is your MacBook not charging and you’re ripping your hair out? If this is the case, then this guide is for you!
After hours of research, I have compiled this list of various and unusual fixes that have proven to fix the MacBook not charging problem.
As a bonus, these fixes will work for all models of MacBooks from the MacBook Air, MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Retina. Lets begin!
MacBook Not Charging – Fixes & Solutions (9 TIPS)
1. Check Your MacBook Charge Port For Dirt/ Flint
One of the biggest issues with using a MacBook is that the MagSafe charge port can become filled with dirt, grime and flint, which prevents a secure connection and charging.
Even the newer MacBook models with USB-C charge ports can also can fall victim to this.
To remedy this, you can get a non-conductive item such as a toothpick, toothbrush or q-tip to dislodge any build up of dirt in the charge port.
Once it has been cleaned, you should now hear that satisfying “click” which lets us know that the pins have connected and are charging.
2. Check Your MagSafe/ USB-C Cable & Adapter
As a continuation of the above fix, checking your adapter and charging cable for any damage is also very helpful.
Somethings to look out for are any punctures (from cats or dogs), frays in the cable, exposed wires or any loose wires. If you do find any of these, there is the possibility that this may be causing the charging issues.
In saying that, you should also try the below steps as it may be an internal problem in the MacBook or adapter itself.
3. Assess Your Powerpoint/ Power Board
For more external troubleshooting, it is also worth trying to charge your MacBook from a different powerpoint. This is done as the actual power socket may be to blame for charging issues.
Also, if you are using a power board, these can sometimes become overloaded and trip which will result in no charging. To fix this, you can press the orange button on the side of the power board which indicates that it has been overloaded.
4. Reset SMC
If the above methods didn’t work, that’s ok! Below are some more great fixes that have been proved to work hundreds of times.
For this particular fix, you’ll want to restart the SMC, also known as the “System Management Controller” which is a logic board that controls power functions of a MacBook.
If you are using a MacBook without a removable battery (2009 onwards), try the below step.
- Shutdown your MacBook
- Plugin in your MagSafe/ USBC charger and connect to MacBook
- Press and hold Shift+Control+Option+Power for 3-4 seconds then release all at once
- Once done, then press power button until MacBooker powers up
If done correctly, this should hopefully stop any fan issues, overheating issues and glitches that may have been preventing your MacBook from charging.
For those that have a model older that 2009, you can check out Apples guide on how todo the same process.
5. Unplug Adapter For 5 Minutes
Ok, so this is a bit of a strange fix, but according to many MacBook users, it works like a charm and won’t be found in any Apple manual.
What you want todo is power down your MacBook and remove the adapter from the powerpoint for at least 5 minutes. Also remove the charging cable from the Mac.
After you have waited for 5 minutes, plugin the adapter back into the wall and connect to your MacBook. You should now hopefully see an orange light!
This is done as the MacBook charging adapter can sometimes go into protection mode if it encounters a large surge of electricity. This is why moving to a different powerpoint sometimes doesn’t work.
While this can be annoying, it is designed to prevent any damage to the computer.
6. Leave MacBook For 15 Minutes Not Plugged In
If the above method didn’t work for you, this is another great fix that has had a lot of success with MacBook users.
To begin, you’ll want to disconnect everything from the wall and the MacBook itself. From there, then let the MacBook sit for at least 15 minutes as internal systems may need to reset.
Also note that not using the MacBook during this time will give the best results.
While this is a bit of an odd fix, by simply letting the computer rest and sit for 15 minutes is actually a great remedy.
7. Let MacBook Cool Down
Another great fix for the MacBook not charging issue is to put your MacBook in the fridge for 10 minutes. Yep, you heard me right, you want to put your computer in the fridge!
If your MacBook becomes very hot or is always warm and has stopped charging, then this might be the fix for you.
This is done as sometimes the MacBook will actually prevent itself from receiving any charge or power if it becomes too hot. So a simple cool down process can actually help quite a lot.
Also be carful to not to block the vents on the back of the MacBook (underneath the hinge) as this can cause the MacBook to overheat.
8. Restart Your MacBook
If the charging issue is still persisting, a simple restart is maybe all your MacBook needs to get working again.
To restart your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, simply drag your cursor to the Apple icon on the top left hand corner and click. A drop down menu will now appear in which you can go ahead and click “Restart”.
9. Check Battery Health
By now, hopefully your MacBook should be charging again. If not, it actually may be the battery to blame, especially if your MacBook is getting on in its age.
Fortunately, depending on how you look at it, you can actually asses the health of your MacBook battery to see if it needs replaced or if it needs servicing.
To check the health of your battery, you can press and hold the Alt/option key and then click the cursor on the battery icon in the top right hand corner.
Once done, you’ll see one of the below updates which will let you know how your battery is weathering.
- Normal
- Replace Soon
- Replace Now
- Service Battery
If the assessment is one of the bottom three, chances are that you battery will need to be replaced. If it is stating “Normal”, it may be best to take your MacBook into an Apple store to be assessed.
Conclusion
Hopefully this MacBook not charging tutorial has helped you to regain power back to your laptop. If it has, please comment down below what worked for you as it will help hundreds of other Apple users.
Also, if you have come up with your own fix, please also share as I will likely include it in recent updates of this post. Thanks for reading!
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