A common issue that is reported to us is a battery status that shows “not charging”. Below we have outlined potential reasons for Mac charging issues and tips on how to fix them.
Rule out Malware Issue
Charging issues are often caused by a virus invasion on the device. You can rule out a malware issue by installing a trusted antivirus software and running a scan on your Mac. Many antivirus softwares will help you remove any discovered viruses.
Check Hardware and Connections
Carefully check your power socket, charger, cord and charging port for signs of improper connection or damage. Clean dust and debris from your charging port gently, as this may block a connection.
To clean the MagSafe port on your Mac, first disconnect the adapter from the wall outlet and then gently remove debris using a cotton swab. Be careful to not get any cotton fibers stuck in the MacSafe port.
If you discover any hardware to be damaged, you will need to replace it with a genuine Apple accessory.
Check Battery Health
Your Mac’s battery performance depends on several things including how many charge cycles it has completed. To understand charge cycles, check out our article here. To know when to replace your battery, keep track of your device’s battery health regularly.
You can take a look at your Battery Information by holding the Option key and clicking on Apple Menu > System Information > Hardware > Power
Here you can look at the Health information, which will be one of two states.
Normal: The battery is working well.
Service Recommended: The battery is performing normally, but its ability to hold a charge is less than when it was new. You may want to consider replacing the battery.
Restart Your Mac
Sometimes a simple restart is all that is needed to cool down your hardware and get your charger to work again. Select the Apple Menu > Restart to safely reboot your computer.
Reset SMC
Your Mac’s SMC (System Management Controller) controls how your device manages power. In some cases, Battery issues related to these features can be resolved by resetting the SMC.
Starting with certain models introduced in late 2020, Apple began the transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon. If you have a Mac with Apple silicon, you can reset your SMC by simply restarting your computer. For other Mac computers, check out this Apple Support article, How to reset the SMC of your Mac
Check for Overheating
Overheating is one of the main causes of reduced battery life. If your computer feels hot to the touch, put your Mac on a hard surface or laptop stand with a cool room temperature. Do not cover the charger.
Close all processes and restart your Mac after it has had a few minutes to cool down.
Service Your Device
If none of the above solutions work, you may have a faulty motherboard. Bring your Mac to your local Apple authorized service provider.
How to Improve Your Mac’s Battery Life
For tips on how to keep your Mac’s battery healthy and prevent battery-related issues. Check out our article How to Keep my MacBook’s Battery Healthy?
