How to fix a macbook pro doesn’t charge when plugged in or turn on
If the MacBook does not want to load, that can have many reasons. Most, however, these are easy to fix without much effort. The following checklist will help you to easily find out if your MacBook is simply not properly connected – or if there is a more serious problem. We help with troubleshooting.
- MacBook does not charge – first steps
- SMC reset when MacBook is not loading
- What to do if the MacBook still does not load?
MacBook does not charge – first steps
Multiple plug inserted and switched on?
Yes, it sounds banal, but in many cases is simply the outlet, more specifically in the power strip,it can be the cause of charging problems. For example, if it is not turned on. Because many power strips have appropriate switches that prevent the flow of electricity. In addition, you should also test whether the connector strip is correctly inserted.
Too weak or wrong charger?
Modern MacBooks can be charged via USB-C. As a result, many users try to use other than the original power supplies. Be sure to always use the charger included with the MacBook, as third-party devices often have too little juice. Also, power strips with USB ports or many monitor USB-C ports are not made for the performance that a MacBook needs. So: Always use the original charger with the original cable to a working electrical outlet to ensure that this source of error is excluded. Also make sure that the plug on the MacBook is correctly inserted.
SMC reset when MacBook is not charging
If the power and AC adapter are correctly connected, but the MacBook still does not want to charge, we recommend resetting the so-called SMC (System Management Controller). Unlike the PRAM, the Mac stores very deep-seated system functions in the SMC, including the control of the battery and the charging current. System failure, crashes, or low battery shutdowns can interfere with this. The SMC is not only responsible for the power supply, but also for other things like the fan control. If the SMC spins, the Mac is crazy too. Luckily, the MacBooks SMC can be easily reset:
SMC reset on MacBooks with removable battery
If you still have an old MacBook with a removable battery, resetting the SMC is easy:
- Shut down the Mac and remove the battery.
- Press the on / off switch for 5 seconds.
- Insert the battery again.
- Shoot the Mac up again. Now everything should work normally.
SMC reset on MacBooks with built-in battery
For Mac notebooks with firmly installed battery, the procedure is slightly different. Here, the SMC can not be set “de-energized”, which is why a little keyboard gymnastics is needed:
- Turn off the MacBook.
- Then press the [Shift] + [Ctrl] + [Option] keys on the left side of the keyboard along with the power button.
- Hold this position for 10 seconds, then release.
- The SMC is now reset. You can restart the Mac.
SMC reset on MacBooks with T2 chip (MacBooks from 2018)
More modern MacBooks require a different approach. To perform an SMC reset here, you must do the following:
- Turn off the MacBook.
- Then press and hold the on / off switch for 10 seconds.
- Release the switch and restart the MacBook.
- The SMC is now reset, some loading problems should be eliminated.
What to do if the MacBook still does not load?
If the MacBook still does not charge after all previous actions, it is likely that there is a hardware problem: either the charger is faulty or the charging port is out. You can test this, for example, by exchanging the power supplies with a device of the same type. If the MacBook still does not load after that, it all speaks in favor of a defect on the part of the MacBook – but now you have to bring your device to the Apple service partner.
