MacBook not charging? 4 fixes to try

howtosimply.com/guides/macbook-not-charging-8-fixes-to-try/ · Checked October 2026 · MacBook Neo · macOS 27.0.1

4 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 2 official sources below

Device

Mac

Shown on

macOS 27.0.1 (MacBook Neo)

App

System Settings

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Check the adapter, socket and cable

   Take the power adapter out of the wall socket, wait 30 seconds and put it back. If it then charges, Apple's adapter article says the socket may share a circuit with lights with ballasts or fridges: use a socket on a different circuit or a UPS. Try another socket, without an extension lead, and another USB-C cable made for charging. Then click the battery icon in the menu bar: on our MacBook Neo it reads Power Source: Power Adapter and Fully Charged.

   Done

2. 

   Restart the MacBook

   Choose Apple menu, Restart…. On our MacBook Neo, Restart… sits between Sleep and Shut Down….

   Done

3. 

   Read the battery status

   Open System Settings, Battery. Our MacBook Neo shows Low Power Mode (Never), Battery Health: Normal and a Charging row with an (i) button. The battery icon in the menu bar also lists the Power Source and the charge state.

   Done

4. 

   Install updates

   Open System Settings, General, Software Update, click Check for Updates and install what is offered. Our MacBook Neo shows Your Mac is up to date (macOS 27 Golden Gate 27.0.1) and Automatic Updates: On. Apple's macOS 27 guide notes that a laptop must have its power adapter plugged in to download updates automatically.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No Not Charging message On our MacBook Neo the battery menu showed Power Source: Power Adapter and Fully Charged, so there was no Not Charging line to read.
• No Optimized Battery Charging switch on the page Apple's macOS 27 guide puts Optimized Battery Charging behind the button next to Battery Health. On our MacBook Neo there is also a separate Charging row with its own (i) button.

If this does not work

• Clean the port Look into the USB-C port with a torch and remove fluff carefully, without metal tools. Then check the battery menu again: on our MacBook Neo it names the Power Source.
• Try another plug or cable on the adapter Apple's adapter article: try another Apple AC plug on the adapter, or the Apple Power Adapter Extension Cable (sold separately). Source: If your USB-C power adapter isn't charging your Mac laptop
• You use an adapter from another maker Try the Apple power adapter and cable that came with the Mac. Apple's adapter article says a replacement should be a USB-C power adapter with equal or greater wattage than the original. Source: If your USB-C power adapter isn't charging your Mac laptop
• Still not charging after a restart Apple's adapter article: shut down the Mac, close the display for 30 seconds, then open it and try charging again. If the battery menu still shows no power adapter, take the Mac, adapter and cable to Apple or an authorised service provider. Source: If your USB-C power adapter isn't charging your Mac laptop

About this guide

A MacBook that does not charge can have a problem with the socket, the cable or the adapter. Work through the list from the top.

Screenshots: MacBook Neo, macOS 27.0.1, dark mode.

Good to know

If nothing helps, Apple or an authorised service provider can test the adapter and the MacBook.

If the MacBook does not start at all: Mac won't turn on: 7 things to try before a repair.

Checking the battery itself: how to check battery health on a MacBook.

In short: Replug the adapter, other socket, other cable, clean the port, restart, read the battery status, update.