MacBook· 5 min read
MacBook not charging: causes and what you can check yourself
Power adapter, cable, port or battery? Use this checklist to narrow down the cause before you bring your MacBook in for repair.
When your MacBook stops charging, it’s a real worry – after all, your whole workload often depends on it. But not every charging problem means an expensive fault. These steps will help you find out what’s behind it.
1. Check the power adapter and cable
- Is the cable kinked, frayed or discoloured at the connectors?
- Does the power adapter work with another device?
- If possible, try a different USB-C power adapter with enough wattage.
With third-party power adapters, make sure the wattage is right. An adapter that’s too weak will charge a MacBook Pro under load only very slowly or not at all.
2. Use a different port
MacBooks with several USB-C ports can charge through any of them. If charging doesn’t work through one port but does through another, the port or the I/O board is probably faulty. On models with MagSafe, check that the connector clicks into place cleanly and the LED lights up.
3. Check the battery status in macOS
Under System Settings → Battery you can see your Battery Health. If it says “Service Recommended”, the battery is worn out. If the battery icon shows “Charging On Hold”, often it’s just Optimised Battery Charging that’s active – macOS then deliberately won’t charge beyond 80% to protect the battery.
4. Restart your MacBook or reset the SMC
- MacBooks with Apple silicon (M1 and later): Shut down, wait 30 seconds, then switch it back on. This resets the power management.
- MacBooks with an Intel processor: Resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) can help here. The key combination depends on the model – Apple describes it in its official support article.
5. Look out for warning signs
Is the case bulging, is the trackpad hard to click or does the lid no longer close properly? These are signs of a swollen battery. In that case, stop charging the MacBook and bring it in as soon as possible – a swollen battery is a safety risk.
If nothing helps
Then the fault usually lies with the charging port, the battery or the logic board. You’ll find our prices for replacing the charging port/I/O board and the battery, as well as for logic board repairs, for each model directly in our price list. The diagnosis is free.
