How to Fix a MacBook Air Not Charging When Plugged In One of the most common issues that MacBook Air users face is that their laptop is not charging when plugged in. This can be very frustrating, especially if you need to use your laptop for work or school. There are several possible reasons why this happens, such as a faulty charger, a bad power outlet, a damaged battery, or a software glitch.
Fortunately, there are some ways to fix this problem and get your MacBook Air to charge again. In this article, we will explain the causes of this issue and how to solve it using different methods. We will also give you some tips on how to prevent this issue from happening again.
Causes of MacBook Air Not Charging When Plugged In
Before you try to fix this issue, you need to understand what caused it. Here are some of the factors that can prevent your MacBook Air from charging when plugged in:
- Your charger or cable is defective or incompatible. You should always use the original Apple charger and cable that came with your MacBook Air, or a certified and compatible replacement. Using a damaged or incompatible charger or cable can damage your laptop or prevent it from charging properly.
- Your power outlet is faulty or low-powered. You should always plug your charger into a working and reliable power outlet. If the outlet is faulty or does not provide enough power, your MacBook Air may not charge or charge very slowly.
- Your battery is worn out or damaged. Your MacBook Air has a lithium-ion battery that has a limited lifespan and can degrade over time. If your battery is old or damaged, it may not hold a charge at all. You can check your battery health by going to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Battery > Battery Health.
- Your software is outdated or corrupted. Sometimes, your MacBook Air may not charge because of a software issue, such as a bug, a conflict, or a corrupted file. Updating your software or resetting some settings can fix this issue.
Read also: your system has run out of application memory
How to Fix MacBook Air Not Charging When Plugged In
Now that you know the possible causes of this issue, you can try the following methods to fix it. You should start with the simplest and easiest methods first, and then move on to the more advanced ones if the issue persists.
Method 1: Check and Replace Your Charger and Cable
The first thing you should do is check and replace your charger and cable to see if they are defective or incompatible. You can do this by:
- Inspecting your charger and cable for any physical damage, such as cracks, frays, or burns. If you see any signs of damage, do not use them and replace them with new ones.
- Try a different charger and cable that are compatible with your MacBook Air. You can borrow them from a friend or buy them from an Apple store or an authorised reseller. Make sure they have the same wattage and model as your original ones.
- Plugging your charger and cable into a different power outlet or a power strip. Make sure the outlet or the power strip is working and provides enough power. Avoid using extension cords or adapters that may reduce the power output.
If your MacBook Air charges with a different charger and cable or a different power outlet, then the problem is with your original ones, and you need to replace them. If your MacBook Air still does not charge, then the problem is not with your charger and cable, and you need to try the next method.
Method 2: Restart Your MacBook Air
Sometimes, a simple restart can fix many software issues that may prevent your MacBook Air from charging. You can restart your MacBook Air by:
- Clicking on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and choosing Restart.
- Waiting for your MacBook Air to shut down and start up again.
- Plugging your charger and cable into your MacBook Air and the power outlet.
If your MacBook Air charges after restarting, then the problem was a temporary software glitch and you have fixed it. If your MacBook Air still does not charge, then the problem is not a software glitch and you need to try the next method.
Read also: MacBook Pro Not Switching On: Troubleshooting Guide and Solutions
Method 3: Check and Replace Your Battery
Another possible reason why your MacBook Air is not charging is that your battery is worn out or damaged. You can check and replace your battery by:
- Check your battery health by going to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Battery > Battery Health. You will see the status of your battery, such as Normal, Replace Soon, Replace Now, or Service Recommended. If your battery status is anything other than normal, then your battery is not in good condition and may need to be replaced.
- Replacing your battery by taking your MacBook Air to an Apple store or an authorized service provider. Do not attempt to replace the battery yourself, as it may be dangerous or damage your laptop. The cost and time of replacing the battery may vary depending on the model and age of your MacBook Air.
If your MacBook Air charges after replacing the battery, then the problem was with your battery, and you have fixed it. If your MacBook Air still does not charge, then the problem is not with your battery, and you need to try the next method.
Method 4: Turn Off Optimised Battery Charging
Optimised Battery Charging is a feature that helps extend the lifespan of your battery by reducing the time your MacBook Air spends at full charge. It learns your daily charging routine and waits to finish charging until you need it. However, sometimes this feature may prevent your MacBook Air from charging when plugged in. You can turn off optimised battery charging by:
- Going to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Battery > Battery.
- Unchecking the box next to Optimised Battery Charging.
- Plugging your charger and cable into your MacBook Air and the power outlet.
If your MacBook Air charges after turning off optimised battery charging, then the problem was with this feature, and you have fixed it. If your MacBook Air still does not charge, then the problem is not with this feature and you need to try the next method.
Read also: How to Clear RAM on Mac: A Comprehensive Guide
Method 5: Reset the SMC
The SMC (System Management Controller) is a chip that controls various aspects of your MacBook Air, such as the power, the fans, the lights, and the battery. Sometimes, the SMC may get corrupted or malfunction, causing your MacBook Air to not charge when plugged in. You can reset the SMC by:
- Shutting down your MacBook Air and unplugging the charger and cable.
- Pressing and holding the Shift, Control, Option, and Power buttons together for 10 seconds and then releasing them.
- Plugging your charger and cable into your MacBook Air and the power outlet.
- Turn on your MacBook Air by pressing the Power button.
If your MacBook Air charges after resetting the SMC, then the problem was with the SMC, and you have fixed it. If your MacBook Air still does not charge, then the problem is not with the SMC and you need to try the next method.
Method 6: Update Your MacOS
The last method you can try is to update your macOS to the latest version. This can fix any software issues or bugs that may prevent your MacBook Air from charging when plugged in. You can update your macOS by:
- Going to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update.
- Checking for any available updates and clicking on the Update Now or Upgrade Now button.
- Following the instructions to download and install the updates.
If your MacBook Air charges after updating your macOS, then the problem was with your macOS and you have fixed it. If your MacBook Air still does not charge, then the problem is not with your macOS and you may need to contact Apple support or take your MacBook Air to a professional for further diagnosis and repair.
How to Prevent MacBook Air Not Charging When Plugged In
To prevent this issue from happening again, you should follow some best practices, such as:
- Using only the original or compatible Apple charger and cable that came with your MacBook Air, or a certified and compatible replacement.
- Plugging your charger and cable into a working and reliable power outlet or a power strip. Avoid using extension cords or adapters that may reduce the power output.
- Checking and replacing your battery regularly if it is old or damaged. You can check your battery health by going to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Battery > Battery Health.
- Turning on Optimized Battery Charging if you want to extend the lifespan of your battery. You can turn on this feature by going to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Battery > Battery and checking the box next to Optimized Battery Charging.
- Updating your macOS regularly to fix any software issues or bugs that may prevent your MacBook Air from charging. You can update your macOS by going to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update and clicking on the Update Now or Upgrade Now button.
Conclusion
The issue of the MacBook Air not charging when plugged in can be very annoying and inconvenient, but it can be fixed and prevented with some simple and effective methods. By following the methods and tips in this article, you can troubleshoot the problem and get your MacBook Air to charge again. We hope this article was helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below.
