RP Staff·

How To Fix A MacBook That Won’t Charge

Although Apple laptops are equipped with quality internal components, the devices are imperfect. From time to time, you may experience computer malfunctions.

For example, the keyboard can stop working, the sound may be muted, or the screen may not start. One of the common problems is that your MacBook is not charging. Find out what’s causing it and how you can get your Mac back to its battery life.

Why is my MacBook not charging: the root cause

Since the laptop is a combination of software and hardware capabilities, charging a software glitch or internal component malfunction can cause problems. But before you think: «My MacBook is not charging; it’s malfunctioning», let’s check out a quick checklist:

  1. Reconnect the charging wire. Flip the plug 180 degrees and install it that way.
  2. Check the USB-C input. The connector may be dirty, causing the contacts to close badly. That is why your MacBook is not charging via USB-C. The same applies to MagSafe in newer MacBooks.
  3. Make sure everything is okay with the power adapter. Apple laptops have two parts: the power supply and the plug connection to the socket. Disconnect the components and reconnect them. You can also try plugging the MacBook into a different charger.
  4. Check to see if the socket works. I agree this is trivial advice, but many users have encountered this situation.
  5. Click on the battery icon in the Menu Bar. The popup may say that it needs to be serviced. Maybe the MacBook battery is not charging because it is faulty.

If you’ve checked the items and ensured everything is okay, let’s move on to more actionable solutions.

Why does my MacBook say battery not charging: is the hardware malfunctioning

Let’s take a look at the main hardwired reasons why your battery is not charging MacBook:

  • the charging jack is out of order;
  • power controller malfunction;
  • the battery has degraded and can’t charge fully;
  • various problems with the semiconductors on the logic board.

If the logic board components are damaged, you may encounter a situation where your MacBook is charging but not turning on. Most likely, this damage is due to moisture ingress.

Whatever happens to your laptop, you can’t do without replacing the parts. If your MacBook is under warranty or covered by the AppleCare program, you have to take your device to an authorized Apple service center, and technicians will fix your problem.

However, this option may not work for users who want to fix their old laptops. The fact is that Apple has relatively high prices for out-of-warranty services. Depending on the extent of the damage, you can pay anywhere from $400 to $1500 to fix the problem.

You can do it yourself because the MacBook is relatively easy to repair. It’s enough to read the official Apple manual, study a few forums and watch video tutorials on YouTube. The only difficulty you will encounter is buying spare parts.

If you want to find an original part, you’re unlikely to get something from Amazon or eBay. At the very least, the components could be counterfeit, not to mention low quality.

But you can visit a site that helps you find genuine parts at an affordable price. That’s Appleparts.io. The company’s technicians test the components in several stages before they are available for purchase. All parts meet R2 guidelines for reuse and resale. There are various parts like logic boards, bottom cases, power cords, LCD screens, etc.

Why is my MacBook not charging when plugged in: discovering software issues

When it comes to software malfunction reasons, these two are the most common. The first is the use of an optimized charger. For example, your device is 80% charged, and your MacBook says battery is not charging. It is a feature that allows you to make charging your laptop more efficient.

The device detects when you put it on charge and unplug it. When the charge reaches 80%, it stops charging. It resumes charging an hour before you unplug your MacBook. This function extends the life of the battery. But if the feature bugs you, you can turn it off in the battery settings.

The second reason is the built-in overheating protection. The MacBook has a precise temperature range at which it should work. Anything above that will activate the protection. The coolers start up and sound like they will be an airplane turbine, and the performance drops slightly so that the processor heats less.

This reason also applies to the charging operation. The MacBook is plugged in but not charging because you need to reduce the load on the battery as the high temperature wears out the battery. In this case, make sure the laptop stays cool.

It is necessary to remove protective cases, keyboard covers, and other things that can make it difficult to cool. When the system determines that your MacBook is safe, it will start charging again.

Can’t charge your MacBook: software and hardware issues

There is another factor that causes your MacBook not charging when plugged in. These are errors in NVRAM and SMC. The first component is non volatile RAM which stores settings frequently accessed by the system. The second component is the system management controller. This component is where low-level data is stored, including power-related data.

The MacBook battery is not charging because various errors have accumulated in NVRAM or SMC. The system thinks that the MacBook components are damaged and deactivates them. You will need to reset NVRAM and SMC and see if this method helps. There is a different reset method for each MacBook. Visit Apple’s official website for how to do it for your model.

Situations in which the battery is not charging MacBook happen, and it does not always mean that your device’s lifetime has ended. In most cases, any problem can be solved with the help of software. But even if parts need to be replaced, it can be done relatively quickly and inexpensively.

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