If your Mac battery won’t charge
If the battery in your Mac laptop won’t charge, try one or more of these solutions.
Check the software
Your Mac laptop may not be charging because of a high performance level, the software or Battery health settings.
Avoid draining the battery quickly: Your computer may be running at a very high performance level that uses more power than the power source provides. For example, some apps — such as video editing software and video games — can require more power and drain the battery more quickly. Connected devices and settings such as brightness, can also drain the battery. See Save energy on your Mac.
Update the software and firmware: In some cases, software or firmware updates might be available for your computer that improve communication with your power adapter. See the Apple Support article Update macOS on Mac.
Reset the SMC: Reset the System Management Controller (SMC), which controls how your Mac manages power. If you have a Mac with Apple silicon, just restart your computer. For other Mac computers, see the Apple Support article Reset the SMC of your Mac.
Turn off battery health features: It’s normal for your Mac laptop to stop charging before 100% to optimise or extend the lifespan of the battery. You may be able turn off these features in Battery settings. See If your Mac battery won’t charge completely.
Check the hardware
Your Mac laptop may not be charging because of an issue with the battery, power adapter or other physical hardware.
Check the battery condition: Your Mac laptop may not be charging because of an issue with the battery. All rechargeable batteries become less effective as they age. See Check the condition of your Mac laptop’s battery.
Inspect the hardware: Make sure everything is plugged in and undamaged. Check the port, the charging cable, the power adapter and the AC wall adapter. If anything is damaged, stop using it.
Let it cool down: Move your Mac to a cool, well-ventilated spot. Mac laptops work best at 10° to 35° C (50° to 95° F) ambient temperatures. If you use your Mac in a poorly ventilated space like under a blanket or on thick carpeting, the adapter might turn off to prevent overheating. If the recommended battery temperatures are exceeded, charging may stop at 80%.
Clean the port: Make sure the port is clean and free of debris. Disconnect it from the power adapter and clean it with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
Use a different cable: You can find out if the cable is causing the issue by trying another cable. Not all cables can charge, so make sure the cable you’re using is designed for charging. For best results, use the cable that comes with your Mac. See the Apple Support article Identify your Mac power adapter.
Use a different power adapter: Your computer may be connected to a power source that gives it enough power to run, but not enough power to charge the battery. For example, your Mac might not charge when it’s connected to a low-wattage adapter. For best results, use the power adapter that comes with your Mac. See the Apple Support article Identify your Mac power adapter.
Use a different AC wall adapter: Your power adapter comes with a removable AC wall adapter that has the blades you insert into an electrical outlet. If your Mac doesn’t charge when using the AC wall adapter with the power adapter, try it with another Apple AC wall adapter or try using an Apple Power Adapter Extension Cable.
Use a different power outlet: Make sure that you’ve connected your power adapter to a working power outlet. Unplug your power adapter from the power outlet, then plug in a device that you know works, such as a lamp, to confirm that the power outlet works.
Check for line noise: Unplug the power adapter from the wall, wait 60 seconds, then plug the adapter back in. If the adapter works after this interval, there is most likely a line noise issue with the power source. Reset the adapter periodically by repeating this process. Some possible sources of line noise include lights with ballasts, refrigerators or mini-refrigerators that are on the same electrical circuit as your computer.
Leave it plugged in for a while: If you recently removed your computer from long-term storage, it may be in a low-battery state. It may require 20 minutes of charging with its power adapter before you can use it again.
Run diagnostics: You can use Apple Diagnostics to help determine which hardware component might be at fault. Apple Diagnostics also suggests solutions and helps you contact Apple Support for assistance. See the Apple Support article Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac.
Get your Mac serviced
If the battery still won’t charge, your Mac may need to be serviced. Contact Apple or an Apple Authorised Service Provider for service. Repairs performed by untrained individuals or using non-genuine Apple parts may affect the safety and functionality of the device. See Find out how to service or repair your Mac.