• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

AppleToolBox

Tools and Fixes for Mac, iPad, iPhone & iWatch

Search posts

  • About
  • Contact

CONNECT WITH US

CATEGORIES

  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • iPod
  • Apple Watch
  • Mac/MacBook
  • AirPods
  • Apple TV
  • News
  • Apple Services
  • HomePod
  • Reviews

SITE

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise

Search posts

You are here: Home / Mac / How to Fix MacBook battery not charging

How to Fix MacBook battery not charging

By SK 9 comments Last updated May 13, 2020

Is your Macbook battery not charging even though the battery icon shows that it is charging? If so, you are not alone! In fact, yesterday, when I plugged in my MacBook, I soon realized that my Mac’s battery was not charging properly.

For me, when I plug it in, the battery icon up the top shows the lightning bolt icon but also says it’s not charging and stays on the same battery percentage. For others, the battery icon shows the plug symbol instead of the lightning bolt–and of course, it also does not charge or change the percentage of total charge.

If the Battery Status menu on your MacBook says “Not Charging” even when plugged into power, your computer might not be connected to a power source that gives enough power to charge the battery. This often happens when you connect to the power port during a flight–it can provide sufficient power to run your MacBook but not charge it at the same time. battery is not charging on MacBook

Check your MacBook’s battery condition

  1. Press and hold the Option key then tap the battery icon in the top menu bar
  2. Review the results
    1. Normal: your battery is functioning normally
    2. Replace Soon: The battery holds less charge than it did when new
    3. Replace Now: The battery holds significantly less charge than when new. Continue to use the battery until you can replace it
    4. Service Battery: The battery needs replaced. Take note of any change in behavior or the amount of charge it holds. You can continue to use your battery before it’s checked without harming your computer

Clean your charging port and the power adapter

An illustration of the various USB-C uses
USB-C ports can be used for charging, displays, storage, and devices

It’s possible that your port or the charging cable is dirty. So we recommend cleaning both your MacBook’s charging port AND the power adapter’s cable and the charger itself.

Check to make sure there is no dust or debris inside the connectors. Check and clean both the adapter connector and the power port on Macbook. Look closely and remove debris using a magnifying glass or the magnifying glass function on your iPhone.

Learn how in this article: How to clean a USB-C charging port on your MacBook, iPad, or phone

Try a different charger, outlet, power source, or warm it up!

If possible, use a different charger from another MacBook and see if the problem persists or resolves. If you do not have access to another charger, visit an Apple Store or Apple Authorized retailer and ask them if you can test your MacBook using one of their chargers.

Make sure that the power outlet you are using to charge your device is working properly. Try a different wall power outlet to test.

It is known that some chargers/adapters may not work if it is too cold. Warming up the charger may fix your problem. Try heating your charger. I heard that some people put it under their armpit to warm it up.

Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)

how to reset a MacBook's SMC
Reset your MacBook’s SMC (for models with non-removable batteries)

Resetting the SMC may resolve many power-related issues. Try this if your MacBook does not appear to be charging properly.

MacBooks with a nonremovable battery

  1. Shut down your MacBook
  2. On your built-in keyboard, press and hold all of these keys:
    • Shift  on the left side of your keyboard
    • Control  on the left side of your keyboard
    • Option on the left side of your keyboard
  3. While holding all three keys, press and hold the power button
  4. Keep holding all four keys for 10 seconds
  5. Release all keys, then press the power button to turn on your Mac

MacBooks with a removable battery

  1. Shut down your Mac
  2. Remove the battery
  3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds
  4. Reinstall the battery
  5. Press the power button to turn on your Mac

MacBooks with the T2 chip

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. On your built-in keyboard, press and hold all of the following keys:
    • Control  on the left side of your keyboard
    • Option on the left side of your keyboard
    • Shift on the right side of your keyboard
  3. Keep holding all three keys for 7 seconds, then press and hold the power button as well
  4. Keep holding all four keys for another 7 seconds, then release
  5. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac

 

 

sudz - apple
SK

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.

Related Posts:

  • iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them - Troubleshooting Guide
    iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them -…
  • My iPad Pro is not charging when it’s plugged in! How do I fix it?
    My iPad Pro is not charging when it’s plugged in! How do I…
  • How To Replace A MacBook Battery
    How To Replace A MacBook Battery
  • iPhone 11, XS, XR, or X missing battery percentage? We've found it!
    iPhone 11, XS, XR, or X missing battery percentage? We've…
  • Why you shouldn’t calibrate the battery in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod
    Why you shouldn’t calibrate the battery in your iPhone,…
  • Why your iPhone or iPad battery percentage jumps around
    Why your iPhone or iPad battery percentage jumps around
  • iPhone XS/XR/X Battery Not Holding a Charge? Draining Too Fast?
    iPhone XS/XR/X Battery Not Holding a Charge? Draining Too…
  • Best iPhone 14 Accessories
    Best iPhone 14 Accessories
  • iMessage Not Working iOS 12? Fix Message App Problems
    iMessage Not Working iOS 12? Fix Message App Problems

Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Show 9 Comments

  1. Bill says

    April 20, 2022 at 2:21 AM

    I tried the pressing and holding shift/control/option and then the power button for 10 seconds procedure and nothing changed.. then I did the “7 second” procedure and BAM it fixed it! Wow.. so cool .. thx so much 😉

    Reply
  2. wasim iqbal says

    May 1, 2020 at 2:47 PM

    it didn’t work, i try many times still light is on but no charging

    Reply
  3. Nadine Wickenhauser says

    July 20, 2018 at 9:09 PM

    time is time is time

    Reply
  4. TheMasterGamer says

    January 2, 2018 at 6:56 AM

    THANK YOU SO MUCH! YOU SAVED MY DAY!

    Reply
  5. Kerri says

    December 4, 2017 at 4:35 PM

    Thank you! It must have been dust! I did try the armpit though. 😉

    Reply
  6. Carolyn says

    August 14, 2016 at 9:58 PM

    didn’t work for me sadly and it is dying and I need to go to bed.

    Reply
  7. Paul Shoogo says

    January 18, 2016 at 3:43 AM

    Great armpit advice, it made all the difference

    Reply
  8. John Schellenberg says

    September 16, 2015 at 10:23 PM

    I was travelling for two months and left my MacBook Pro at home, fully charged and turned off. I came home last night and it won’t charge or turn on. Charging light stays green. I live in Congo, DRC, so there are no certified repair shops here. I googled for ideas. Did all the reboot/start tricks. Took out and reconnected the battery. No luck. HELP!!!

    Reply
  9. LeAnn says

    September 1, 2015 at 6:13 PM

    Serhat Kurt, you made my day! Thank you for posting this. It worked like a charm.

    Many blessings to you!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • iOS 17: What To Expect From Apple’s Next Major Software Release
  • How to Fix Attachments Not Showing in Outlook for Mac
  • 6 Mac Apps for Creating To-Do Lists
  • Safari Experimental Features: All You Need to Know
  • How to View Web Page Source on iPhone/iPad: 7 Best Methods
  • How to Change the Color Profile on Your Mac

Connect with us

Footer

ABOUT

  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

GUIDES

  • iOS 13 & iPadOS
  • Apple ID
  • iCloud
  • App Store
  • iTunes
  • FaceTime
  • iMessage
  • Siri
  • Books and iBooks
  • Game Center
  • AirPlay

CONNECT

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • FeedBurner
  • YouTube

© Copyright 2010-2023 Guiding Tech Media · All Rights Reserved

This site and its content are in no way affiliated or endorsed by Apple, Inc. · Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited