This happened to me too. One fine morning, my MacBook battery protested to take ‘charge’ anymore. And just like you, I thought it was only me. My MacBook battery is not charging, such an unusual incident, that’s what I thought. But, I was wrong. Turns out, that many MacBook owners across the globe face this MacBook battery not charging issue. And hence, I started digging, and asked our engineers, how often they find similar cases, and what’s the solution or DIY tips for MacBook battery not charging fix options.

So, collecting all my findings, in this blog, we are going to cover that issue and share all possible fixes to this problem. 

Now, before we start, we need to understand the basic components of a MacBook charging circuit.

mbp_m1_2021_layout_macbook_battery_not_charging_nss_laptop_service_centerMacBook Pro 2021 Components

Image Source: IFixit

 

It comprises four basic segments:

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MacBook Pro Battery Segments

 

1. MagSafe Charger or USB-C type charger

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MacBook Air MagSafe Charger

 

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MacBook Pro MagSafe Charger

2. Battery

3. Charging circuit

4. SMC or System Management Controller - This CHIP decides when to charge MacBook's battery or when to stop charging even when it's connected to a charger.

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MacBook Pro SMC (System Management Controller)

 

 

Now, there may be many conditions and faults for the MacBook battery not charging problem, and we will analyze and find solutions to each condition. We strongly recommend following the official apple page before you move ahead tweaking with your MacBook.

 

Some Basic Issues Resulting In Your MacBook Battery Is Not Charging Currently

Condition 1 For MacBook Battery Not Charging Issue:

SMC circuit decides when to charge your battery and when not to. So, if your Macbook’s battery charge didn’t drain to 90% or lower, in order to save your battery health SMC will decide not to charge your battery even if the charger is connected. Remember, this is not a ‘MacBook battery not charging’ problem but it’s a normal execution of smart battery charging.

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MacBook Battery Capacity Level

 

Condition 2 For MacBook Battery Not Charging Issue:

Let’s say that your MacBook is connected to a low-power source that is able to deliver only that amount of power that is required to run the MacBook, but no more to charge it. In that case, the charger will not be able to charge the Macbook battery. This is a typical scenario of a MacBook battery not charging issue. You need to find a high-wattage adapter for the charger to both run and charge your Macbook. Because that low-capacity source can’t charge your MacBook even when it’s shut down or in sleep mode.

 

Condition 3 Why Your MacBook Battery Is Not Charging:

When you play a heavy video game or use video editing software or similar heavy applications, your MacBook requires a large amount of power. In these situations, the SMC decides to direct all the power that is coming from the battery charger to running the MacBook without charging the battery to provide the highest performance level. Because, if any program drains the battery quickly it’s not good for the battery health. This is another scenario of a MacBook battery not charging issue where there is no problem associated with it.

Hardware Parts Problems Causing MacBook Battery Not Charging Issue

Now, we should focus on the other aspects of the ‘MacBook battery not charging’ issue where hardware parts are involved. We should discuss the physical checkpoints to ensure that all the hardware parts are functioning correctly.

 

  1. Check the MagSafe charger - If it’s delivering the rated power to the device. You can have a spare charger and connect that with your MacBook to decide whether the charger is faulty or the Macbook battery not charging issue is getting initiated from other parts of the circuitry.



  1. Check the charging port and the connector - This is a no-brainer. If the connector is faulty and not able to deliver the charging power due to poor contact or else, you should replace it with the new one to solve the issue of the MacBook battery is not charging.



  1. Reset the SMC - At times the SMC misbehaves and stops charging the battery due to false signals and the faulty data that it has stored. You can reset the SMC to solve this Macbook battery not charging issue. Now, how to reset the SMC?

Please follow these steps:

    • Turn off your MacBook

    • Connect the MagSafe charger

    • Hold Shift-Command-Option on the left-hand side keyboard and the power button simultaneously for 10 seconds.

    • Release all the buttons

    • Turn on your MacBook and you have successfully reset the SMC chip.

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MacBook SMC Communication System with Other Components

Image Source: HawkDive

 

Whether you are concerned about the MacBook Air battery not charging or the MacBook Pro battery is not

Charging issue, you can apply the above tips on both types of devices to diagnose the cause of

the battery is not charging MacBook situation.



  1. Reset NVRAM - NVRAM stores a set of custom user data like screen brightness, keyboard backlight signal, volume settings, etc. Now, if any of these data sets gets corrupted, it will choose not to charge the MacBook battery. The solution? You will have to reset the NVRAM through the following process:

    • Turn off your MacBook

    • Restart the same and during the restart when you see the light on the screen or the chime sound, press and hold ‘Command+Option+R+P’ these four keys.

    • Let the process complete itself.

    • You have successfully reset the NVRAM.

The same solution is applicable for both groups of users facing MacBook Pro battery is not charging problems or battery is not charging MacBook Air problems. 

Now, after trying all the above solutions to prevent your MacBook battery not charging issue, if the condition still persists, we must check for the battery health for replacement in the end.

  1. Replace the faulty battery - If the SMC chip receives any erratic voltage and current levels from the inbuilt battery, it will show this information on the screen under the battery icon telling you that the battery is faulty and it’s time to replace the battery.

Let’s elaborate on this a bit further. The battery icon tells you the detailed condition of your MacBook battery. Depending on the message showing there, you can understand if it’s working normally or not and how much capacity it can hold currently. This information helps you to diagnose whether the cause of your MacBook battery not charging issue is the damaged battery itself or do you need to dig more to find out the real cause of why the MacBook battery is not charging properly.

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MacBook Battery Health

 

To check the battery condition, go to ‘Apple Menu’ on your device, and select ‘System Preferences'. Then press the ‘Battery’ option, under which, press ‘Battery’ again.

 

At the bottom, you can see ‘Battery Health’ on your right side. Click on that and you’ll be redirected to the Battery Information page. Under the ‘Condition’ section, you may see one of the two options.

 

  • Normal - That means, your battery is functioning well and your MacBook battery not charging issue is generated by some other reasons.

  • Replace Soon - That means, your battery is working normally, but its charge holding capacity has reduced than before. So, it requires service and that is why your MacBook battery is not charging.

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MacBook Battery Condition


Here, you can see other options called Cycle count and Full charge capacity.

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Battery Condition Suggests Replacement

Normally, full charge capacity should be around 5500 mAh in older MacBook devices, and more than 6000 mAh in relatively new versions. Also, Apple has a yearly standard for 150 charge cycles and after 300 charge cycles (that means two years), the battery ability starts reducing and you are suggested to replace or service the battery to avoid issues like MacBook battery not charging situations.

 

There can arise another condition where the battery may not function properly, but you are unable to notice that. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish any behavioral change or the ability to hold the charge in your MacBook. In that case, you should trust the battery information your device is showing and schedule a routine check-up in your nearest Apple store.

 

Now, you can deal with these issues, related to the MacBook battery not charging, at home. But there can be other hardware-related issues that need an expert touch. Here, it is obvious that you will receive the best services in an Apple store or an Apple authorized service center when your device is still under the warranty policy. Even after that, it is absolutely justified that you rely on an authorized Apple service center near your locality, but the charges and the waiting time to get a service done may upset you in some cases. And another important fact is that you are not going to get any home service option in most cases and hence you have to spend your money and time on carrying it to the store and receive the fixed device after your MacBook battery not charging issue is solved. Otherwise, you have to pay lot more bucks to get a service done in your place.

 

And that’s where the NSS laptop repair center comes in. We solve all the problems that can occur within your MacBook device. Well, you don’t need to take our mere words on that, instead, do your own research. Check for the feedback and what our Apple and MacBook device customers have to say on this matter. What is most important is that we serve at your home, your office, or your organization. Yes, you are allowed to choose a convenient time to get the job done, and our experienced technician reaches your door on time. And also, we serve on an emergency basis. Meaning, that you contact our Apple repair center branch in your locality, and send our technicians within one-hour maximum, and also without any extra charges. You can check with our technicians and engineers, they are experienced with long-term fieldwork along with their professional certifications. Not only that, we perform regular training operations in every branch spread across India to keep our team updated and always prepared to accept all the challenges gracefully. Now, the decision is on your table. Do whatever is needed and we are always here to help.

 

Here to mention that we have many branches across India which can be near your residence or workplace. You can always follow these pages to locate the NSS MacBook repairing center nearest to you:

 

Also, if you want to visit any NSS laptop repair center branch near you please follow this page:

 MacBook Repair Center Near Me.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

HOW TO CHECK THE BATTERY HEALTH WHEN MY MACBOOK AIR BATTERY NOT CHARGING?

 

Yes, you are right. You should check on the MacBook battery health every now and then, whether you are facing the Macbook battery not charging issue (or in your case, MacBook Air battery not charging issue) or not.

 

Let’s elaborate on the process of battery health checkups first.

 

MacBook Battery Inspection

We can understand the reason behind your MacBook battery not charging issue from the health status showing on your device. The battery condition gives you specific status along with its capacity to hold the charge in the current moment.

 

Now, let’s move ahead.

 

At first, go to the Apple Menu, and then System Preferences. Here, click on the Battery option, and again the Battery button.

 

Now, you can find the Battery Health option at the bottom right area of this window. When you click on that, you can see two or four options based on your MacBook device model. 

 

Under the Battery Information section, there is an option called Condition that indicates the current health status of your MacBook battery.

 

  • Normal: The battery condition is normal and it’s functioning properly. Meaning, that your battery not charging in MacBook Air or Pro is not directly related to the battery itself.

 

  • Service Recommended or Replace Soon: If you see the Service Recommended status, it describes that your battery is still functioning normally, but its charge holding ability is reduced from the beginning. This is a sign of battery aging but not a reason for your MacBook Air battery not charging issue. It’s again something else. 

 

Now, in some Mac devices, especially in MacBook Pro notebooks, you may find a similar option here showing Replace Soon status. The meaning of this condition is the same as described above.

 

  • Replace Now: If you see this message in the condition area in your MacBook Pro, that means your battery is not damaged yet, but it’s unable to hold the charge in it. This is the time you should think about replacing your device battery unless it’s too late.

 

  • Service Battery: This message in your Macbook Pro may indicate the reason behind your battery is not charging in MacBook problem. And you should not delay anymore to replace the battery to prevent overall damage to your entire MacBook device.



battery-health-status

Besides battery health, you should monitor the MacBook hardware condition, especially when your battery has gone to the Service Battery mode. For that, you can use applications like Combo Cleaner, which helps to identify the health condition for most of the hardware parts of your MacBook laptop. Moreover, you can use this software to clean up junk files including temp and cache files to maintain the performance of your machine.

 

Here are some tips to prolong your MacBook battery life and prevent the Battery is not charging in MacBook issue as much as possible.

 

  • Low power mode: When you enable this option in your device, it adjusts the battery power based on the required performance in a smart way and uses the least amount of energy at any current situation. It enhances efficiency and the lifecycle of your device battery.

 

  • Power Nap: You should turn off the Enable Power Nap while on battery power option so that your device can get a proper ‘nap’ while in sleep mode. This means, your device stops checking mails or some other iCloud app updates in this mode. This process enhances the standby time as well as the overall health of the device.

 

  • Graphics Switching: There is an option called Automatic graphics switching in your MacBook. You should turn that on, especially when you are using a high-tech MacBook Pro with several graphics processors. If they can switch automatically according to your current requirement, the smart device will make it work for the highest power efficiency and hence improving the battery life.

 

  • Display Brightness: Now, the common display settings. Enable the option called Slightly dim the display while on battery power. It keeps the brightness limited to 75% when the device isn’t plugged into the power source.

You can also set up the automatic brightness option for the same. Because the default setting for this option is to conserve energy. To turn this option on, go to the Apple Menu, then System Preferences. Here, you can find this option Automatically adjust brightness. If you still need help, you can check on the manual brightness adjust page from Apple.

 

Besides battery issues, if you face any Apple laptop screen-related issues in your MacBook device, you can contact us in NSS Laptop Service Center to receive prompt action. Or, if you want to know the MacBook Pro screen replacement cost India, MacBook Air screen replacement cost India, or MacBook Air screen price, you can check out our How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Laptop Screen In India, or Laptop repair cost in India articles to know more on these issues or even have some estimated price chart there.

 

Our team is well-experienced to handle similar common issues for our large clientele in every city in India. Feel free to contact us anytime.

 

HOW TO DIAGNOSE A MACBOOK BATTERY?

 

If you want to diagnose your Macbook battery, then the best way to do that is by using the Diagnostics application Apple provides along with your laptop. It’s nothing but the updated version of the Apple Hardware Test app that comes built in with Apple devices. Using this software, you can learn about the hardware condition of any parts of your Macbook.

 

Besides providing any issues or faults in any components in your Macbook laptop, the Apple Diagnostics app also reveals the probable solutions for those problems and even helps you connect with the Apple Support team if needed. Therefore,  if you are facing any Macbook battery not charging issue, any other hardware problems, or Apple laptop screen issues, maybe you need your Macbook air screen replacement or Macbook Pro screen replacement, this app will help you decide on any of them.

 

Now, let’s see how to use this app to diagnose a Macbook battery. For that, we need to prepare your Macbook before using the Apple Diagnostics app.

 

  • Firstly, shut down your laptop.

  • Then, remove all the external devices you are currently using with your Macbook. Although, you can keep the Ethernet connection, external display, mouse, and keyboard connected with it as before. Also, keep the AC power connection intact with it.

  • While performing this application, you must use your device on a hard and solid surface with a proper ventilation system.

  • Now, you can launch the Apple Diagnostics app based on the procedure needed for your Apple Silicon or Intel processor-based Macbook device.

If your laptop is purchased before 2020, it’s probably an Intel-based one. Because the new Apple Silicon-based models like MacBook Air (M1, 2020), MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020), Mac mini (M1, 2020), MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021), MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021), iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021), Mac Studio (2022), etc. From 2020, Apple has started launching Apple chip-based new models by replacing the old Intel processor-based ones. You can identify your device type in the About This Mac, under the Overview section as below:


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In this Overview section, under macOS Monterey, you can see a label as Chip which tells you the Apple Silicon chip name in your device. Whereas, in an Intel-based computer, you can see a label as Processor at the place of Chip here. It shows you the name of the Intel processor your device is built onto. 



Launching Diagnostics app in Apple Silicon Macbook

 

Now, whenever you are facing any Macbook battery not charging issue or any other hardware glitches, or any Apple screen issue in your Apple Silicon Mac notebook, you can launch the Apple Diagnostics app after performing the necessary steps as before. At first, in an Apple Silicon Macbook, switch on the device by continuously pressing and holding the power button until it starts up and shows you the options window. Here, you can see a gear item showing Option as the label. Now, press the Command (⌘) + D key combination from the keyboard. It opens up the desired Diagnostics app.

 

Launching Diagnostics app in Intel-based Macbook

 

And from an Intel-based Macbook, you have to switch on the device, while continuously pressing and holding the D key from your Macbook keyboard. Hold the key until you are asked to select a language after it starts up, or maybe you will see a progress bar on the start-up window.

 

If you face any trouble in opening the Diagnostics app performing the above procedure, you can also try to launch it by pressing and holding the Option + D key combination from your keyboard. It will open up the application using an Internet connection. But before that, you must make it sure that your Macbook is not using any firmware password.

 

 

Checking the Test Results

 

The Diagnostics operation shows you a progress bar of what percentage it has checked in your device and the remaining time to finish the process.





After finishing the test, the Diagnostics app reveals the result set with a reference code or multiple numbers of codes according to the condition of your Macbook. You can check the significance of those reference codes on the Apple Diagnostics reference codes page.

 

When you are connected to the internet, the Apple Diagnostics window will show you all the necessary information related to the required service and support system. For that, you have to select the Get started button or select the Command + G key combination from the keyboard, to begin with. Your Macbook will restart and take you directly to a webpage bearing all the necessary service info for your device. After that, you can select the ShutDown or Restart option from the Apple Menu according to your choice.

 

If you have got the solution for your Macbook Air battery not charging or Macbook Pro battery not charging issue or some similar situations, and again, you want to retake the test, you can do it from the same window just by selecting “Run the test again” or by pressing Command + R key combination from the Macbook keyboard. 

 

And when you are done with this application, you can restart the notebook by pressing the Restart button or just by pressing R on your Macbook keyboard. Otherwise, you can see the Shut Down button there or you can switch off the Macbook by pressing only S from the keyboard.

 

If you still need help with any Apple hardware issues, Apple laptop screen troubles, or want to know your Macbook Pro screen replacement cost India, Macbook screen replacement cost India, you can contact our NSS Laptop Service Center anytime you want. We are always happy to help.