MacBook Not Charging? How to Fix Battery Issues
MacBook won't charge, stuck at a percentage, or showing "Not Charging"? Here's how to fix charging issues on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
Common Charging Problems
- "Not Charging" in menu bar: Plugged in but battery not increasing
- Stuck at a percentage: Optimized charging holding at 80%
- No light on MagSafe: Charger not connecting properly
- Charges very slowly: Low-wattage charger or USB-C hub issue
- Battery draining while plugged in: Charger can't keep up with load
🛠️ Tools You'll Need
📋 Difficulty & Time
🔧 Fix Fast Battery Drain: Step by Step
Step 1: Check Battery Health
On iPhone/iPad: Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging. Below 80% Maximum Capacity = battery is degraded. Below 90% = noticeable drain.
On Mac: Apple menu → About This Mac → More Info → System Report → Power. Check Cycle Count and Condition.
Step 2: Find Background App Hogs
Settings → Battery → scroll to App Activity. Anything showing 30%+ background time without you using it is the culprit. Common offenders: Snapchat, Reddit, Google Maps, crypto wallets.
Step 3: Force-Quit the Top 3 Apps
Swipe up from bottom (or double-click Home), then swipe up on the suspect apps. If drain stops, you found it — uninstall or disable Background App Refresh for that app.
Step 4: Disable Always-On Display Features
If your device has Always-On Display (iPhone 14 Pro+), turn it off temporarily: Settings → Display & Brightness → Always On Display → off. This is one of the biggest battery sinks on Pro models.
Step 5: Reset Network Settings
Cellular hunting drains battery fast. Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Reset → Reset Network Settings. You'll lose saved Wi-Fi passwords but it forces a clean cellular state.
Step 6: Check for iOS/iPadOS Updates
Battery bugs are often patched in minor releases. Settings → General → Software Update.
Step 7: Test in Safe Mode (Mac only)
Boot in Safe Mode (Apple Silicon: hold power until startup options, hold Shift, click Continue) — if drain stops, a third-party login item is the cause.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Replacing the battery before checking software causes
- Ignoring Background App Refresh — most drain comes from there
- Using counterfeit chargers (they damage battery cells)
- Letting battery hit 0% repeatedly (kills cycles)
🏥 When to Call a Pro
If Battery Health is below 80% or Cycle Count exceeds rated maximum, replace the battery: Apple ($99 iPhone / $99 iPad / $249 MacBook), AppleCare+ free if degraded during coverage, third-party $59–$99.
Fixes to Try
1 Check Optimized Battery Charging
This feature intentionally holds charge at 80% — it's not a bug:
- Click the battery icon in the menu bar
- If you see "Optimized Battery Charging" — this is why it's at 80%
- Click "Charge to Full Now" to override temporarily
- Or go to System Settings → Battery and turn off Optimized Battery Charging
2 Check the Cable and Adapter
Charging cable issues are the most common cause:
- Try a different USB-C cable — cables fail frequently
- Try a different power adapter
- Plug directly into the wall, not through a USB-C hub
- Check the cable and port for debris or damage
- Make sure you're using a charger with enough wattage (45W+ for Pro models)
3 Try a Different USB-C Port
MacBooks with multiple ports — some may charge faster:
- Try each USB-C/Thunderbolt port on your MacBook
- Some ports support higher wattage than others
- For MacBook Pro, use the ports on the left side for fastest charging
4 Reset SMC (Intel MacBooks)
The System Management Controller handles battery charging:
MacBook with non-removable battery (2017+):
- Shut down completely
- Hold Left Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds
- Release all keys simultaneously
- Press Power to turn on
MacBook with T2 chip:
- Shut down, then hold power button for 10 seconds
- Release, wait a few seconds, press power to start
5 Reset NVRAM
NVRAM stores power settings that can affect charging:
- Shut down completely
- Turn on and immediately hold Option + Command + P + R
- Hold for 20 seconds until you hear two startup chimes
- Release and let Mac boot normally
6 Check Battery Health
Batteries degrade over time and may need replacement:
- Hold Option and click the battery icon in the menu bar
- Or go to System Settings → Battery → Battery Health
- If it shows "Service Recommended", the battery needs replacement
- Check cycle count — most MacBook batteries last 1000 cycles
7 Update macOS
- Go to System Settings → General → Software Update
- Install available updates — battery management fixes are often included
- Restart and test charging
Recommended Chargers
USB-C 65W Charger for MacBook Air
A quality third-party USB-C charger works great and costs less than Apple's.
140W USB-C Charger for MacBook Pro
Full-speed charging for MacBook Pro 14" and 16" models.
Still Not Charging?
If none of these fixes work, the battery, charging board, or USB-C ports may need professional service. A swollen battery is a safety hazard — stop using the MacBook and get it serviced immediately.
📞 Get Professional Help
Need MacBook battery or charging repair? Contact PC Medics of New Jersey.
📦 Mail-In Repair Service
Not comfortable doing this yourself? Send your device to a professional repair shop.