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Plugged in but not charging? Here's what actually causes MacBook charging issues and how to fix them.
A freelancer brought in her MacBook Pro last week. "It won't charge at all," she said. She'd already bought a new charger. Turned out to be lint packed into the USB-C port - we cleaned it out in two minutes. No charge.
Charging issues are one of the most common MacBook problems we see – and a good portion of those are simple fixes like debris or cable issues. Sometimes it's a cable. Sometimes it's something more involved. Here's how to figure out what's actually wrong. If your MacBook won't turn on at all, see our data recovery guide – your files are usually safe.
Before panicking, let's narrow down the issue:
Lint, dust, and general crud accumulates in charging ports. Each time you plug in, it compacts further. Eventually, the charger can't make proper contact. A gentle clean often solves everything.
Cables wear out, especially near the ends. USB-C cables in particular can develop internal damage that's not visible. Try a different cable before assuming the MacBook is broken.
Chargers fail, especially third-party ones. Apple chargers are more reliable but not immune. Borrowing a known-good charger is the best test.
Physical damage to the port from yanking cables or drops. MagSafe is more resilient; USB-C ports can be damaged more easily.
The charging circuit on the logic board can fail, especially after liquid damage or electrical surges. This requires board-level repair.
A completely failed battery can sometimes prevent the MacBook from powering on at all, even when plugged in. The battery needs to provide initial power even when the charger is connected. Our MacBook battery replacement guide covers when this makes sense.
Use a wooden toothpick (not metal) to gently remove any visible debris. Compressed air can help but be gentle - too much pressure can damage components.
The System Management Controller handles power management. Resetting it sometimes fixes charging issues:
Option-click the battery icon in the menu bar. If it says "Service Recommended", your battery might be the issue.
Pro Tip
Third-party chargers: If you're using a third-party charger, try an Apple charger or a high-quality alternative. Cheap chargers often don't provide sufficient power, especially for larger MacBook Pros.
| Issue | Typical Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Port cleaning (debris removal) | Free-£29 | 15 minutes |
| MagSafe port replacement | £149-199 | 1-2 hours |
| USB-C port repair | £179-249 | 2-3 hours |
| Battery replacement | £149-269 | 1-2 hours |
| Logic board charging circuit repair | £199-399 | 1-3 days |
| Diagnosis | Free | 30 minutes |
MagSafe ports are separate modules, making them relatively straightforward to replace. The magnetic connection also means less physical wear on the port itself. Most MagSafe issues are cable-related.
USB-C ports are more integrated into the logic board on some models. This makes repairs more complex and sometimes more expensive. The ports also see more wear since they're used for peripherals as well as charging.
Did You Know?
Data safety: Charging-related repairs don't touch your storage. Your files and data remain completely safe during port replacement, battery replacement, or board repair.
Bring it in for a free diagnosis. We'll figure out exactly what's wrong and give you a quote before any work begins. Often it's simpler (and cheaper) than you expect.
Visit us: Byte, Dovehouse Parade, Solihull.
Mail-in: Free shipping both ways for repairs over £100.
Complete Guide
MacBook Repair ServicesRead our comprehensive guide covering everything you need to know.
Pro Tip
Key Takeaways:
- • Check the obvious first: cable, adapter, outlet, and try different USB-C ports
- • MagSafe light tells you a lot: amber = charging, green = full, none = problem
- • ~40% of charging issues are cable/adapter, ~30% port, ~30% internal
- • SMC reset fixes many charging quirks on Intel Macs
- • Port cleaning is often all that's needed (£29 vs £149 for repair)
Your MacBook isn't charging. Maybe the battery percentage is stuck or dropping, there's no charging indicator, or it only works at certain angles. Before panicking about expensive repairs, let's diagnose what's actually going on. (If your Mac won't turn on at all, see that guide instead.)
Did You Know?
Charger wattage guide: MacBook Air needs 30-35W minimum. 14" Pro needs 67W+. 16" Pro needs 96-140W. Using a lower wattage charger might charge very slowly or not at all under load.
USB-C MacBooks have 2-4 ports. If one port doesn't charge but another does, you've found your problem—the port itself needs repair or cleaning.
About 40% of charging problems are the charger or cable, not the Mac itself.
Quality third-party chargers (Anker, Belkin, etc.) work fine. Cheap unbranded ones can damage your Mac's charging circuit. If you've been using a budget charger and now have charging issues, that's likely the cause.
USB-C ports accumulate lint, dust, and debris—especially if you carry your Mac in a bag. Symptoms:
DIY cleaning: Use a wooden toothpick (not metal!) to gently remove debris. Compressed air can help but can also push debris deeper.
The MagSafe 3 connector (2021+ MacBook Pros and M2+ Airs) can develop issues:
An old or failing battery can cause charging problems. See our battery replacement guide for costs and options:
Check battery health: Apple menu → System Settings → Battery → Battery Health
Warning sign: If your trackpad feels raised or doesn't click properly, you might have a swollen battery. This is a safety issue—stop using the Mac and get it checked immediately.
If charger, cable, port, and battery are all fine, the charging circuit on the logic board might have failed. Common causes:
The good news: charging circuit failures are often repairable with board-level repair, saving you from a full logic board replacement.
| Issue | celltech Price |
|---|---|
| Port Cleaning | £29 |
| USB-C Port Repair | £149-249 |
| Battery Replacement | £149-299 |
| Charging Circuit Repair | £199-399 |
This usually means the battery is managing its health. When nearly full and plugged in, Macs may pause charging to preserve battery longevity. If it says this at low battery, there's a problem.
Yes, this is fine. Modern Macs manage power intelligently and bypass the battery when appropriate.
Check your charger wattage. Also, heavy use while charging (video editing, gaming) draws power faster than it charges with lower-wattage adapters.
Port cleaning or USB-C repair is almost always worth it—much cheaper than a new Mac. For logic board charging circuit issues, see our repair vs replace guide or compare Apple vs independent repair costs.
Complete Guide
Book Charging DiagnosisRead our comprehensive guide covering everything you need to know.