If our Macbook Pro’s battery isn’t charging properly, or the Macbook Air’s charger isn’t working as it should, there are still a few things we could do as we watch the battery percentage slowly drain.
And it is that there is possibly nothing more frustrating than trying to charge the Macbook, or any other laptop, because you are working on something important and it is about to run out of battery, and yet it does not start to charge no matter how hard we try. What to do and how could we solve it?
It is true that there are different causes, and also possible solutions. So it is essential to follow a series of basic steps to know what could be happening.
Why won’t the Macbook charge?
There are several reasons why our Macbook Pro or Air cannot charge. Here are some checks that you should carry out before becoming alarmed (or continue with the next steps):
- Is the Macbook really plugged in? It is recommended to disconnect the charging cable from the device and reconnect it again.
- Is the plug working well? It is also advisable to check the plug. Although it may seem obvious, it might be helpful to try different wall sockets. You never know.
- Is the AC adapter connected correctly? It is very likely that you already know that Apple adapters consist of two parts, a square adapter and a removable plug manufactured to be connected to the power supply. It is advisable to separate both parts and rejoin / connect them again.
- How is the Apple adapter? The adapter may be bad, or it may have just stopped working. This is more likely when it looks bad; for example, when it is discolored, heavily scratched, or smells burnt.
- How are the ports on the Macbook? There may be dust. If so, this may be the charging issue. It is advisable to clean the grooves and ports with the help of a compressed air blower.
The dreaded “Check the battery” notice
Some time ago a warning icon appeared next to the battery icon on my 2015 Macbook Pro (indeed, the version that still came with the handy HDMI connector). And when I click on it, macOS tells me to check the battery , which means that the battery needs to be repaired.
Although this does not prevent the Macbook from being used or charged normally, it is recommended to replace it, as it may be in poor condition.
Check if the Macbook has been recalled
We must remember that, during the summer of 2019, Apple decided to withdraw from the market some Macbook Pro (among which is mine) due to battery overheating problems, mainly from 15-inch Macbook Pro versions sold between 2015 and 2017.
In addition, it also decided to recall the 2016 to 2017 Macbook Pro models due to a battery-related component failure.
Therefore, it is advisable to determine whether or not our Macbook Pro can benefit from this battery removal program, consulting it here after entering its serial number.
Reset battery
The steps to follow in this case will depend on how old our Mac is. For example, if we have a Macbook bought before 2012, it is very likely that it has a removable battery.
If so, removing it is very easy. Once this is done, we must disconnect the adapter from the power supply, and press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds. Then we put the battery back in its original place, and reconnected the Macbook to the power source.
Otherwise, if the battery is not removable, we must continue with the next step: resetting the SMC , which is the system management controller, consisting of a chip located on the motherboard that is responsible for controlling the device’s power.
Reset SMC
In many cases, resetting the SMC can be useful when solving problems associated with the battery and power of our Mac .
To do this, we must turn off the Macbook, connect the power adapter, and simultaneously hold down the Control + Shift + Option / Alt + Power button for at least 4 seconds. Next, we stop pressing the keys. Now, we must press the power button to turn it on normally.
The last remedy: repair the battery
If after following the steps above the Macbook failed to charge, the problem may still persist. In this case it is advisable to take it to Apple service , or an authorized reseller, so they can check it and possibly replace the battery.
