Mac Won’t Charge or Battery Drains Fast

Mar 4

Written By Chad .

Mac Won’t Charge or Battery Drains Fast

If your MacBook isn’t charging or its battery drains too quickly, it can be frustrating and disruptive to your workflow. Battery issues can stem from software glitches, faulty hardware, or aging components. In this guide, we’ll cover the common causes and solutions to fix charging problems and extend your Mac’s battery life.

Common Reasons Your Mac Won’t Charge

Several factors can cause your MacBook to stop charging:

Faulty Charger or Cable: A damaged power adapter or frayed charging cable may prevent proper charging.
Dirty or Damaged Charging Port: Dust and debris in the charging port can block the connection.
Software Issues: A macOS glitch or outdated system software can interfere with charging.
Overheating: If your Mac overheats, it may disable charging temporarily to protect the battery.
Battery Wear and Tear: Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time, reducing their ability to hold a charge.

How to Fix a Mac That Won’t Charge

If your MacBook refuses to charge, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check the Power Adapter and Cable

Inspect your charging cable for frays, bends, or damage.
Use an official Apple charger to ensure compatibility.
Try plugging the charger into a different outlet.

2. Clean the Charging Port

Use a soft brush or compressed air to remove dust and debris from the USB-C or MagSafe port.
Ensure there are no bent or broken pins in the port.

3. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)

Resetting the SMC can fix charging-related issues.

For MacBooks with a T2 chip (2018 models and later):
- Shut down your Mac.
- Hold Control + Option + Shift for 7 seconds, then press the power button and hold all keys for 7 more seconds.
- Release all keys and turn the Mac back on.
For older MacBooks:
- Shut down your Mac and unplug the charger.
- Hold Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds.
- Release all keys, plug in the charger, and turn on the Mac.

4. Update macOS

Software bugs can interfere with charging. Check for updates:

Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest macOS version.

5. Check Battery Health

Your battery may need service if it’s significantly degraded.

Go to System Settings > Battery > Battery Health.
If it says Service Recommended, consider replacing the battery.

How to Fix Fast Battery Drain

If your Mac’s battery depletes quickly, try these fixes:

1. Adjust Energy Settings

Go to System Settings > Battery and enable Low Power Mode.
Reduce screen brightness and turn off Keyboard Backlight.

2. Close Unnecessary Apps

Open Activity Monitor and check the Energy tab.
Quit apps that are consuming excessive power.

3. Disable Background Processes

Go to System Settings > General > Login Items and remove unnecessary startup programs.
Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use.

Final Thoughts

If your Mac won’t charge or its battery drains too fast, these troubleshooting steps should help restore battery performance. If the issue persists, ABQ Computer Pros can diagnose and repair your Mac’s charging problems. Contact us today for expert Mac repair services!

Chad .