Last Updated on April 28, 2020 by Husain Parvez
Being stuck on a dark screen when MacBook won’t charge is not a pretty sight, and we’re here to help you change that. Before you apply any heavy-duty cleaning tools, read this article and see some ideas and solutions.
Apple has been at the forefront of minimalism ever since it created the very first iPhone, rocking the mobile world to its core. However, the origins of the Cupertino Company dates back to the times to went head to head against the mighty Microsoft as a mainstream computer software and hardware manufacturer. It was the innovation behind the modern laptop technology that led to the creation of Apple’s very first portable computer, the MacBook. The beauty of a MacBook or any other laptop is its portability and mobility. You can unplug your laptop and use whenever and wherever you want.
Of course, it only makes sense if it carries the charge. That’s why it can be dreadful when your laptop is not charging hence nullifying its mobility factor. In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process in order to fix your MacBook that won’t charge. But before we start, let’s look at a few practical reasons why your laptop battery won’t be charging. While the guide may have been created with the Apple MacBook in mind, the similar troubleshooting steps can be implemented to resolve the charging issue with any other laptop out there in the market.
Reasons Why MacBook Won’t Charge
- Hardware problems related to the MacBook, whether it is in regard to the motherboard circuit, or related to the power adapter of the computer, could be the reason.
- Broken connections with the loose battery connector, or with the MagSafe cable of the charging adapter not holding up with the charging port could be the culprit.
- Batteries could be in a critical condition either due to the regular charging cycles over the years or due to an external factor that may have affected the integrity of the battery housing.
- Overheating has been known to cause issues with the performance of MacBook laptops, and may even cause the battery to shut down and prevent charging as a defence mechanism.
How to troubleshoot when MacBook won’t charge
Here are 5 techniques to fix your charging problem with MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.
Solution #1: Restart your MacBook pro
Just like apps on your MacBook can get frozen or stuck, like the hardware that controls the charging of your notebook. That’s the reason when your MacBook won’t charge, try to restart it. A simple restart can reset the hardware and fix the problem.
- Click on Apple logo at the top left corner of your MacBook screen.
- Click the “Restart” button.
- Wait for the system to reboot and then attempt charging your MacBook again.
We this is the most basic instruction, but 90% of the times it works! At least now you know what you must do before asking yourself, “Why isn’t my laptop charging?”
Technique #2: Inspect your hardware physically
Before you look any further process, you need to check the basics. If your MacBook’s battery is not charging, check the power cable. Inspect your whole cable and look for damaged or torn spots or any dark stains on its surface. If you find any damage then good luck you have found your culprit which is causing the problem.
The next thing you should do is to check the ports for any foreign objects or debris or any obstacle. Even dust built up in the charging port may be blocking the connection, so if you find something, for your safety please use a wooden object to remove it (you can use a toothpick). Inspect whether you are plugged in into the wall socket. Make sure it is turned on or try using a different electric socket. We know this sounds a bit basic but it’s always to be sure first about basics.
Technique #3: Check your laptop’s battery health
The MacBook battery may wear out faster than usual if you overload it and use it intensively. You should always keep eye on its status or you may be risking of having a non-working notebook at the most desperate time. Checking your battery health is most relevant when the battery doesn’t charge even with a cable.
To inspect the state of the battery health, press and hold Alt (option in MacBook) key and click the icon of the battery in the Menu Bar. The advanced options of the menu will appear. There are four states where your battery may lie in:
- “Normal”— Your battery is functioning well, no need to worry.
- “Replace Soon”— The battery works fine for now but holds the charge less than it did before. It should be replaced soon.
- “Replace Now”— You should replace the battery as soon as possible as it keeps losing the charge and can betray you anytime now.
- “Service Battery”— Your battery has to be replaced immediately to prevent it from damaging your MacBook.
Technique #4: Reset the SMC
The System Management Controller (SMC) is responsible for battery management and its status indicator lights. Therefore, if your MacBook’s battery is not charging, resetting the SMC might help you.
Note: – That the process of resetting the SMC for the MacBook with a removable battery and a non-removable battery is bit different. That’s why first you have to decide whether your battery is removable.
Mac notebooks that have non-removable batteries include MacBook Pro (early 2009 and later), all models of MacBook Air, and MacBook (late 2009).
If a battery is non-removable, please follow these steps:
- Firstly, shut down your MacBook.
- Then press Shift + Control + Option and a Power button at the same time and hold it for 10 seconds.
- Release the keys.
- Lastly, press the Power button to turn on your device.
Performing the steps above should help you reset the SMC of the MacBook, which could well be the reason you were encountering the MacBook won’t charge issue in the first place.
Technique #5: Cool your MacBook
It may be surprising but the reason for your MacBook battery not charging maybe because of overheating. The reason may be that thermal sensor within your laptop if detect a steep rise in temperature, they block out the access to the battery as a safety measure.
What should you do when you realize that your MacBook is Overheating? It is simple since all you need to do is turn it off the system and leave it turned off for some time, or place a fan near your MacBook to cool it down right away and check the fans which are responsible for cooling from inside are working to see if the exhaust outlet is blocked. If you work outside, move into the shade — direct sunlight can cause your MacBook to warm up. You might even want to look into some cooling pads that are available in market to stops it from overheating.
Technique #6: Check for battery-draining apps
Another issue is battery-draining apps. It has been discussed above that some programs are always attacking battery and draining them. There’s a simple way to check it using the software we’ve mentioned above, CleanMyMac X. It has a system health monitor in the upper bar of your Mac. When you start it, you will see the apps that drain your battery far too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
What could cause the battery to drain and affect its health?
In short, the answer is apps. According to a security researcher, Charlie Miller, “malicious software may be exploited in various ways, from just causing the battery to stop functioning to auto-installing malware.” The “backdoor” applications may camouflage themselves as alerts to “update your Flash player” or copy harmless Chrome extensions.
If you were hesitant about downloading such things in the past, you need to download an anti-malware check. Chances are bright that it may bring your battery to life. Many users on Apple experts recommend using CleanMyMac X as it takes care of macOS-specific viruses. This app developed by “MacPaw” is notified by Apple, so you are safe downloading it. Select the Malware Removal tab and it should reveal if any app is attacking your battery.
What is none of the above solutions work?
Sometimes a Mac wouldn’t charge due to faulty hardware system settings. In this case, your Mac might need basic maintenance from Apple Store. If all troubleshooting methods fail, consider taking your MacBook to the Apple Store or a certified Apple repairing centre. Every laptop has its own problems, and at this point, it’s better to ask a licensed expert to help. More than likely, your MacBook will need a personal fix. To avoid those unpleasant nuisances of “Why won’t my laptop charge?” take care of your battery health!
Final Words
Apple has been confronted by the general user for creating devices that are seemingly inaccessible when it comes to troubleshooting and DIY repairs. This is a major reason why you’d feel the need to head out directly to the “experts” over at the Apple Store when you come across the MacBook won’t charge issue. However, before you lose all hope, give the above steps a try to find out what you can do to fix your MacBook right at home.
Were you able to implement any of the solutions listed above to fix the Apple MacBook won’t charge issue? If there’s any assistance you need, be sure to reach out to us in the comments section right down below.
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