This issue usually arises due to corrupted SMC data. And in some cases, a counterfeit charger might also influence the Macbook to fail to allocate the charge. But no matter the cause, you can easily fix this issue with a few different methods and some smart workarounds. So, here in this article, we shall skim through the factors that cause your Macbook to not charge when plugged in. We shall also look at a few different fixes to effectively fix this issue for you.
Why is My Macbook Not Charging Even When It’s Plugged In?
Macbook Not Charging When Plugged In? Try These Fixes
The very first you can do when your Macbook is not charging is to restart your computer. More often than not, restarting your computer fixes certain compatibility issues of the previous user session. However, if a restart doesn’t seem to solve the problem, follow the fixes and workarounds listed below.
Check Connections
Before you move on to more technical fixes, it’s important to ensure that all your connections are intact. This includes your charger, power adapter, and power outlet. Make sure that these cables are not damaged and are firmly connected to the right ports. This step is mainly to help you determine if there are any hardware malfunctions.
Manage Your Environment
Another thing that most computer users neglect when it comes to their computer’s health is a good working environment. Particularly, Macbooks require good ventilation with proper airflow to work at their full potential. Poor ventilation gives rise to plenty of issues, including an overheating Macbook and slow processing power. Furthermore, your Mac’s power adapter is known to generate a considerably greater amount of heat than its counterparts. So, it’s important that you maintain the vents in and outside your Macbook. For this, we recommend you work on a table rather than on the bed, pillows, or laps. This can help with your system heat management, ultimately mitigating the issue you’re facing.
Switch the Charging Port and Adapter
A Mac’s charging ports are known to gradually get defective with wear and tear. It might fail to accumulate the power required to charge your Macbook. So, try switching up the ports and see if it helps. Plenty of non-Apple products are incompatible with Apple computers. So, it goes without saying that you should use an original charger designated for your device. Plenty of people have been known to use counterfeit chargers, which do not completely match their hardware characteristics. This ultimately leads to all kinds of power issues, including the one you’re facing right now.
Clean the Ports
A dirty charging port might be the reason your Macbook is failing to charge its battery. Dirt, dust, and lint accumulated over time on a port can make it difficult for the OS to recognize the connection. So, we recommend that you clean your ports with a can of compressed air and soft microfibre cloth. You can simply blow the air inside the port to get rid of any dust inside. Then, a piece of microfibre cloth dipped in Isopropyl Alcohol (70%) should help you wipe away the smudges in and around the port. Let the port air dry before using it again.
Disable Battery Health Management
Battery health management is a pretty useful tool. It aims to improve the longevity of your battery by monitoring its temperature and charging patterns. That means if you usually have more than 90% charge remaining on your Macbook, the system will start charging the battery only after the charge is under 90%. So, even though it’s a pretty useful tool, it can sometimes cause minor issues, particularly if it’s not implemented properly. To avoid glitches and bugs of any kind, you can turn off this feature and see if your Macbook starts charging.
Reset SMC
SMC, commonly known as the System Management Controller, is responsible for maintaining the proper workflow of your Mac’s physical components. From button registration to indicator lights and from system fans to battery efficiency, the SMC controls all. When your SMC data gets corrupted, your system might run into various glitches and misinterpretations. Therefore, whenever you’re having power issues, you can always reset the SMC to fix your problem. But, the exact step to do so varies depending on your system’s hardware characteristics. That is, the key sequence to reset the SMC is different for Intel and Apple Silicon Macbooks. However, we do have a guide dedicated to helping users such as yourself reset the SMC on a Mac. So, feel free to check it out.
Check if Apple Recommends You a Battery Service
To counter the issue of a degrading battery, macOS has included an option for you to view your battery’s health. Apple has further added a recommendation bar, which recommends the user get their Macbook serviced in case of a failing battery. Hence, you can check the condition of your hardware components, including your battery, from the System Information panel. Alternatively, you can hold Option and click on the battery icon on your menu bar. This brings up a recommendation section just like the ones mentioned above.
