MacBook plugged in but not charging
Most charging problems turn out to be the adapter, the cable or a setting — not the MacBook. Work through these first, and you'll either fix it or know exactly what to tell us.
5 checks you can do at home
- 01
Try another wall socket and another cable
USB-C cables fail more often than adapters. If you have a second USB-C charger at home — even a phone one — see if the battery icon reacts at all.
- 02
Use a different port
On USB-C MacBooks, try the port on the other side. On MagSafe models, try one of the USB-C ports as well. If one side works, the fault is the port, not the battery.
- 03
Look into the port with a torch
Lint and grit pack into USB-C and MagSafe ports. Don't dig with metal — a wooden toothpick, gently, with the machine off.
- 04
Check whether it says 'Charging on Hold'
macOS pauses charging at around 80% with Optimised Battery Charging, and on hot days to protect the battery. Click the battery icon — if it says on hold, nothing is broken.
- 05
Look at the battery condition
System Settings → Battery → Battery Health. 'Service Recommended' means the battery itself is worn and may refuse to charge properly.
If the adapter or the MacBook gets hot to the touch while plugged in, or you smell burning, unplug it and stop trying. That needs a bench, not more experiments.
What it usually turns out to be
Worn or failing battery
Charges to a point then stops, drops suddenly, or only runs while plugged in.
How we fix it →Damaged USB-C or MagSafe port
Works on one side but not the other, or only when the plug is held at an angle.
How we fix it →Charging circuit on the logic board
Nothing responds on any port with any known-good charger. Often follows liquid damage or a faulty third-party charger.
How we fix it →Diagnosis is free. We tell you what we found and the quote before any paid work starts.
Questions
Can a cheap charger damage a MacBook?
It can. Chargers that don't regulate power properly are one of the causes of charging-circuit faults we see on the board. Use the Apple adapter or a reputable USB-C PD charger with enough wattage for your model.
My MacBook charges when off but not when on. Why?
Usually the adapter can't supply enough power for the machine under load — common with low-wattage phone chargers. Try the original adapter first.