How to Fix a MacBook That Is Not Charging

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Verify power source and cable integrity

   Inspect the USB-C or MagSafe cable for physical fraying, bent pins, or debris inside the charging port. Connect the adapter directly to a wall outlet rather than a surge protector or power strip to ensure consistent voltage. Test with a different wall outlet to isolate potential circuit failures in your workspace.

   Note: Use a wooden toothpick to gently clear lint from the charging port if connection remains intermittent.
2. 30 sec

   Check Battery Health status

   Navigate to the Apple Menu > System Settings > Battery. Review the Health status; if the status indicates Service Recommended, the battery hardware may have failed. Click the Info icon next to Battery Health to view specific cycle count and capacity details.

3. 1 min

   Disable Optimized Battery Charging

   Temporary battery limits may prevent charging beyond 80% if the system detects a static usage pattern. Navigate to System Settings > Battery, click the Info icon next to Battery Health, and toggle off Optimized Battery Charging. Choose Turn Off until Tomorrow to force a full charge cycle.

   Note: Re-enable this setting after testing to preserve long-term battery chemistry.
4. 2 min

   Perform a soft power cycle

   Shutdown your Mac completely by selecting Apple Menu > Shut Down. Unplug the charging cable, wait 30 seconds, and reconnect the power source. Restart the machine and verify if the battery icon in the menu bar displays the charging indicator.

5. 2 min

   Perform a hardware reset for Intel Macs

   For Intel-based MacBooks, reset the System Management Controller (SMC). Shut down the Mac, then press and hold Control + Option + Shift on the left side of the keyboard while holding the Power button for 10 seconds. Release all keys and press the Power button to boot normally.

   Note: This step does not apply to Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) chips, which handle power management automatically upon restart.