Is your MacBook not charging? Luckily, there are some potential quick fixes, from restarting to replacing the cable, that may help you get back to work, gaming or the latest episode of your favourite show.
In this guide, the gadget experts at Protect Your Bubble explain why MacBooks might stop charging and give some examples of things you could try that might help fix the problem.
Protect Your Bubble does not guarantee any steps detailed in this guide will fix your device(s). Any steps followed are done so at your own risk, Protect Your Bubble is not liable for any damages arising from any action or decision taken from reading this content. Damage or breakdown occurring before any MacBook insurance policy start date is not covered.
Why Won’t My MacBook Charge?
• Before fixing a MacBook that isn’t charging, it’s important to understand why it happens. Some potential causes include:
• Faulty Port: The charging port on your MacBook could be damaged or malfunctioning, preventing proper connection.
• Dirty Port: Dust or debris in the MacBook's charging port can block the connection between the device and the charger.
• Damaged Charging Cable, Adapter or Socket: The power adapter itself may also be faulty, or the wall socket may not provide power.
• Water Damage: Water can damage gadgets like MacBooks, affecting charging capabilities.
• Software Problems: Sometimes, software glitches can affect charging. Restarting your MacBook or resetting the System Management Controller may fix the issue.
What To Do If My MacBook Won’t Charge?
Now we have narrowed down the potential reasons your MacBook won’t charge; here are some DIY fixes that may get your gadget back up and running:
- Reboot Your MacBook: Rebooting your MacBook can clear temporary software glitches, reset any bugged hardware connections, update software settings and restart power management. One of these issues may be the reason your MacBook won’t charge.
- Reboot to Safe Mode: Rebooting a MacBook in safe mode means the device only uses essential systems, helping to identify any third-party software that could be causing problems. It can also run diagnostics on your system to find and troubleshoot the issue. To reboot in safe mode, turn on your Mac and hold down the shift key as soon as the Apple logo appears. Keep holding the key until you reach the login screen.
- Switch to a Different Cable, Adapter or Socket: Sometimes, the problem might just be a cable, adapter or socket. In these cases, simply change the socket or device you’re using to charge your MacBook.
- Clean the Charging Port: Debris in the charging port could be limiting the connection between your charger and MacBook. Cleaning the charging port could fix these issues. Be careful not to use any liquid when doing this, as it could cause further damage.
- Identify Water Damage: If your MacBook is experiencing other issues alongside not charging – such as sticky keys or screen glitches – it could be a sign of water damage. In this case, it’s best to visit a repair specialist.
- Visit a Repair Centre: If all else fails, it’s recommended to take the device to an Apple Store or authorised service provider such as iSmash or Pocket Geek Tech Repair for a hardware or software fix.
How To Make My Battery Power Last Longer?
If your MacBook is charging but the battery doesn’t last very long, consider the steps below:
• Adjust Screen Brightness: Lowering your screen display brightness can save power and put less reliance on charging.
• Switch to Energy Saving Mode: To use energy saving mode, go to System > Preferences > Battery and enable “Energy Saver” settings. This should optimise how your MacBook uses its resource intensity to lower the amount of power it consumes.
• Close Unused Apps: Close any unused apps and background processes, as these could be draining your MacBook’s power.
• Turn off Bluetooth & Wi-Fi: Restricting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi services when they aren’t needed reduces the number of background processes for your MacBook and lowers overall energy consumption.
• Limit Locations Services: Limiting location services can also significantly reduce background processes on your MacBook. Go to System > Security & Privacy > Location Services, and disable it for apps that don’t require them.
• Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Keep your MacBook between 10° to 35° C to get the most out of battery performance.
• Update the Operating System: New updates often fix software bugs and improve system performance, which in turn may reduce battery power consumption.
Can I Claim MacBook Charging Issues on Insurance?
Mechanical breakdown of your device, such as it no longer charging may be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. If your MacBook is outside of the manufacturer’s warranty you may look to claim on your insurance if, and only if you already have it in place.
If you have a Protect Your Bubble policy in place and make a claim, the charging issues would be assessed. Whether the issue is covered by Protect Your Bubble’s policy will be evaluated in line with the full terms and conditions. If a claim is successful, an excess will be payable. Cosmetic or deliberate damage is not covered.
Protect Your Bubble Macbook insurance offers worldwide cover from theft, accidental damage, and mechanical breakdown outside the manufacturer's warranty* Protect your MacBook Air 13-inch M2 256GB – worth up to £1,149 – from just £11.49p/m**. Or insure any three items for £16.99p/m** with Multi-gadget Insurance.
We have a proven track record of approving claims. Between 01.07.25 to 31.12.25, our claim’s accepted rate was 96.7% when provided with the information we require during the claims process.
* Underwriter Assurant General Insurance Limited. Gadget age restrictions, T&Cs and excesses apply. Customer UK 18+.
**Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change
