Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters

Resolution

Follow these steps to identify the cause of the issue and find out which solutions may be available to you.

If you see a spark

Sometimes when you plug the power adapter into the wall, you may see a spark. This is usually normal and can occur when you plug any electrical appliance into a live outlet. If the spark comes from somewhere other than the blades of the plug, if you experience any damage or discoloration of the adapter, or if you have other concerns about sparking, contact Apple.

Troubleshooting power adapter issues

1. Make sure a known good outlet is being used.

Verify that the power outlet you're using is working correctly. Plug in a known good appliance, such as a lamp, TV, or clock, and confirm it powers on properly.

2. Make sure the proper wattage adapter for your portable computer is used.

Select the appropriate power adapter for your Apple portable computer. You can use a higher wattage power adapter, but you cannot use one with less wattage without potential operating issues.

3. Identify line noise issues.

Unplug the power adapter from the wall, let it sit for 60 seconds, then plug the adapter back in.

• If the adapter works after this 60-second "rest", you most likely have a line noise issue with your power source. It will require that you to reset the adapter periodically by repeating this moment of rest. This issue occurs when the AC adapter's "over voltage protection" feature senses ground noise and then turns off the adapter.
• Some possible sources of line noise include lights with ballasts, refrigerators, or mini-refrigerators that are on the same electrical circuit as your computer. This behavior may not occur if you plug the power adapter into an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or plug it into a different circuit.
• Unless the adapter continues to exhibit this behavior on a known good outlet, it does not need to be replaced.
4. Be sure you are using the adapter in a well ventilated area

The power adapter may become very warm during normal use. Always put the power adapter directly into a power outlet or place it on the floor in a well-ventilated location. If you are using your MagSafe adapter in a poorly ventilated area, or if the MagSafe adapter is covered by a blanket or other form of insulation, it may turn itself off in order to prevent damage to the adapter.

You may notice the following:

• Your power adapter may not charge the computer.
• The LED on the adapter connector may not light up when attached to the computer.
• The adapter may only charges the computer intermittently.

If you encounter these behaviors please disconnect the adapter and wait until it cools down. Once cool, the adapter should function normally. If you still have issues, follow the rest of the troubleshooting in this article; beyond that please contact Apple.

5. Check for possible AC plug (also known as a "duck head") or two- or three-pronged AC cord issues.

If you're using the AC plug (also known as a "duck head") with the power adapter, swap it out for the included two- or three-pronged AC cord, or if you are using the two- or three-pronged AC cord swap it out with the AC plug. Either connector can be easily connected the adapter as shown below.



• If the adapter now charges the computer and the LEDs in the MagSafe connector are lit, the AC plug "duck head" or AC cord that was originally in use is no longer functioning and use of that connector should be stopped until a replacement connector is obtained. Refer to the additional information section of this article for further assistance.
• If the LEDs do not work or the power adapter does not charge the computer, you should continue troubleshooting using the steps in this Article. Check for strain relief issues or stuck pins and dirty connectors.
6. Check for strain relief issues.

Strain relief is defined as a condition where the DC cable (the thin cord that attaches the MagSafe connector to the power adapter) separates from the end of the MagSafe connector or from the other end of the thin cord, at the power adapter. Under continued use the cable may discolor and the rubber molding may become deformed. Another indication of possible strain relief is intermittent connectivity. You can often verify this condition by wiggling the cable back and forth near the MagSafe connector and observing whether the LED indicator (which turns amber or green) flashes on or off depending on the position of the cord.



For more information about reducing strain relief issues, see the following articles: 

• Apple Portables: Reducing cable strain on your MagSafe power adapter
• Apple Portables: How to disconnect the MagSafe power adapter

You should not use power adapters that have strain relief damage or that are missing insulation or rubber. Refer to the Additional Information section of this article for information about replacing your adapter.

7. Check for stuck pins or dirty connectors on MagSafe Connectors.

Sometimes you may discover that the MagSafe adapter for your computer is not working properly because the pins inside the MagSafe connector are stuck.

For example, the pins on the connector of the MagSafe adapter shown below are stuck down.



If you think that a pin is stuck down, try unplugging and re-plugging the MagSafe adapter into the power port. The pins should move and reset themselves to a neutral position. If you find that a pin isn't resetting itself, gently press the pin sideways using a fingertip or other soft, non-scratching surface to see if the pin will reset itself. If the pin will not reset, please refer to the Additional Information section of this article.

Be sure to inspect and clean both the MagSafe adapter connector and the power port on your Apple portable computer for dirt or signs of damage.





If your MagSafe connectors requires cleaning:

To clean the DC plug on either the computer or the power adapter, disconnect the adapter from the wall outlet and/or remove the battery from the computer. Remove debris gently with a cotton swab or a soft bristle toothbrush, which provide the strength, flexibility, and precision for this task. Be careful not to get any cotton fibers stuck in the pin receptacle. You may use isopropyl alcohol to aid in cleaning the connectors as well. Be sure the connectors are dry before using the computer or adapter after cleaning.

Note: The power adapter port contains a magnet that can erase data on a credit card or other magnetic device if it gets too close. In order to preserve and protect your data, Apple recommends that you keep magnetic media away from the power adapter port.

8. See if the computer is charging and the LED is lit.

After following the steps above see if the computer is charging and the LED is lit. If not, please refer to the Additional Information section of this article.