When your MacBook is plugged in but not charging, there are several common reasons and corresponding fixes to consider:
- Battery Health and Software Controls:
- macOS may show "Not Charging" to extend battery life, only charging when the battery falls below a certain threshold.
- The power source may not provide enough power to charge (e.g., using a low-wattage adapter).
- Your Mac might be running high-performance tasks using more power than the adapter supplies.
- Check battery health via Battery Settings; if it shows "Replace Soon," "Replace Now," or "Service Battery," battery replacement may be needed.
- Hardware Issues:
- Faulty or damaged charging cable or adapter can prevent charging.
- Dirty or blocked charging port can obstruct connection; cleaning the port gently with compressed air or soft tools may help.
- Defective AC plug can cause no charging light; try swapping the plug or charger if possible.
- Poor ventilation for the charger causing overheating stops it from charging; keep the charger cool and uncovered.
- Electrical outlet line noise can interfere; try plugging into a different outlet.
- Software and System Resets:
- Reboot your MacBook to reset hardware involved in charging.
- Reset the System Management Controller (SMC), which manages battery and charging functions. To reset SMC, shutdown MacBook, plug in power, then press Shift + Control + Option + Power button for 10 seconds, release, and turn on MacBook.
- Other Checks:
- Verify that the charger is connected to a powered outlet.
- Inspect for any physical damage to ports or cables.
- Try a different charger or power source to isolate the problem.
If none of these solutions work, the issue may be internal hardware damage such as a faulty DC-IN board or a failing battery, which requires professional repair or battery replacement. These steps should help you diagnose and often resolve charging problems with your MacBook.
