Battery Not Charging

[Slydude]

Glad you got that resolved Mark.

For others reading this thread here's something else to consider.

I have a couple of iPad Chargers around the house. One of them has a cable attached that is standard USB on one end and USB C on the other end. I grabbed that cable rather than the one used to charge the MacBook Air. The computer seemed to be taking a ridiculous amount of time to change with little change in the percentage of charge.

Suspecting that something was wrong I checked the power strip I was plugged into and plugged into a different known good outlet. The entire time the Mac's performance was horrible. Eventually I realized I had the wrong charger and the charger being used wasn't providing enough power. Swapping to the correct charger fixed the problem immediately.

 

[Rod]

In a rather recent battery/power failure on my MBP I got a Sleep/Wake error notification on restart. So that might be related somehow to closing the lid. Bit obscure though.

 

[Rod]

To Rod: In Post #5 above, I stated that I always check to see "a two pin plug over the Battery icon."

Sorry Marrk, you sure did, I should read preceeding posts more carefully.

 

[pm-r]

For others reading this thread here's something else to consider.

This Thread reminds me of a situation some years ago where a couple who shared their MacBook asked if I could help solve their problem of the battery often being dead when they went to use it.

Making a very long story short, what was happening was that the power receptacle that they were using to power the MacBook was on a switched circuit for the wall receptacle that was controlled by a light switch.

Both the husband and wife each had separate habits of either turning on or off the light switch before or after they used the MacBook which would often leave the MacBook without getting charged.

I don't think they realized that some of the receptacles were on a switched circuit on their fairly recently purchased new home, but the whole situation was really starting to drive them both crazy. They thought it was all pretty funny after they were shown the cause of the problem and then the fix was easy.

The first thing one is told to check: "is it plugged in" doesn't do anything constructive or helpful if the Receptacle is not actually powered on and energized.


- Patrick
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[Marrk]

Here's my latest update: On two occasions, I have taken the laptop off of the Power Adaptor, and the battery has drained by 50% in less than 30 minutes. This is not normal in my experience. I'm going to charge-and-unplug a few times and see if I can repeat this problem.

 

[Rod]

Marrk, hope I didnt miss this in an earlier post but have you checked Battery Health? The easiest way is to look in About this Mac in the Apple Menu > System Report > Power. For a more detailed report try the free Coconut Battery app (not the paid version, you don't need that).

 

[Marrk]

@Rod Battery Health: Normal.

 

[Rod]

Well, it's not Health then but we do not know to what level the battery is charging to or the number of charge cycles.
Here is an example of Coconut Battery on my MBP after recent replacement of battery.
You can see design capacity and full charge capacity are the same as you would expect and charge cycles are zero.
It's also possible that the battery is faulty, I have had that experience myself after only two years use and Apple replaced the whole device under consumer regulations in Australia.

 

[pm-r]

@Rod

Here is an example of Coconut Battery on my MBP after recent replacement of battery.
You can see design capacity and full charge capacity are the same as you would expect and charge cycles are zero.
It's also possible that the battery is faulty,

That must have been a very "recent replacement of battery" and your last statement could be quite true or something else is a bit goofy with a number of Charge Cycles at "0".

Or is that one of those new Atomic batteries that don't need or undergo normal charging cycles???


- Patrick
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[Rod]

Battery had been removed for repair and I just got it back yesterday. It was previously installed a week ago but I have had power cutouts since. Now repaired but very recent? Yes it is. As I use this MBP in situ it is connected to AC power full time so no recharge cycles yet. The old battery it replaced only had 658 cycles and it was 6 years old.

 

[Marrk]

Sometimes it's charging, sometimes it's this.

 

[Rod]

Okay, so the system sees the power is connected but states the battery is not charging. My first guess would be the charging circuitry but thats a pretty wide statement as there are a number of elements that make it up.
Here is a fairly good coverage of the components involved and repair suggestions 12 ways to fix MacBook battery not charging issue - IT-Tech Online which are fine until you get to 4.7 in the contents list, at which point I would be taking the device in for repair and I think you have tried most of the other suggested solutions but just in case.

The puzzling part about it is the intermittent nature of the problem. That would seem to suggest a loose or faulty connection.

 

[wenfeen]

Two or three times, I started the day with my battery at 7-8%. In other words, the battery had not charged over night, even though the power adaptor was plugged in. This morning, the battery was down to 6% and would not charge at all. Do I need to reset the SMC? This is a 2017 model (see my signature).

Note: It just began to recharge, tho I don't know why.

I don't know whether this is your issue, but I had to replace my charging cable at one point for my MacBook Air. Never had an issue after replacing.

 

[pm-r]

I don't know whether this is your issue, but I had to replace my charging cable at one point for my MacBook Air. Never had an issue after replacing.

That certainly sounds like a logical place to start with some possible problem-solving steps...


- Patrick
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[Marrk]

I spent 45 minutes on the phone with Apple Tech Support. Forty of those minutes went to resolving all of my passcode issues. I never log in to iCloud, iTunes or the Apple store, and Apple punishes me for this by deleting all of my passcodes. Then, when I have a tech issue, they pretend like they don't know me. It took three separate devices and several "Enter a New Passcode" attempts. The tech used the other five minutes to make a service appointment for me at a local Apple store. Have to take it in to be diagnosed. Can't be shipped in without a diagnosis.

Gentlemen, do I want to go to an Apple store during a widespread and virulent pandemic? Do I have a choice?

 

[Rod]

Probably not. Secondly I do not believe Apple "punishes" uses by deleting their ID passcodes, I have had the same Apple ID and passcode for all Apple online services and devices since the early 90's.
I take it that you do not sync or backup any of your devices via iCloud nor have an operating Apple email address or recovery code for you account. It also follows that your device would not be "Authenticated" on the App Store or appear in your My Apple Devices under your Apple ID management site. All of which makes it hard for Apple to recognise you short of presenting your original purchase receipt.
Of course I respect your right to opt out of the Apple Community, thats your choice but it does put you at a disadvantage if you need support.

 

[chscag]

Gentlemen, do I want to go to an Apple store during a widespread and virulent pandemic? Do I have a choice?

Shouldn't be a problem going to your local Apple Store. Just wear your mask (or they won't let you in) and let the genius bar do the diagnosis.

 

[Marrk]

Secondly I do not believe Apple "punishes" uses by deleting their ID passcodes,

There might have been a tiny bit of sarcasm in my statement.

 

[pm-r]

Shouldn't be a problem going to your local Apple Store. Just wear your mask (or they won't let you in) and let the genius bar do the diagnosis.

And use a good alcohol Hand Sanitizer and Cleanser and keep washing your hands thoroughly when you get it back from the Apple Store, but you should be doing that anyway, especially if you have new or used items or people coming into your home.

Keep safe and keep well and make sure everybody you know has had their covid inoculation...


- Patrick
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[AMACL]

It does sound a little like overkill. But if a computer is already experiencing non-normal issues (not charging properly in this case)...trying things that also may not seem "normal" certainly can't hurt.

Also remember all Apple portable computers have a sensor that when the display is closed...puts the

Two or three times, I started the day with my battery at 7-8%. In other words, the battery had not charged over night, even though the power adaptor was plugged in. This morning, the battery was down to 6% and would not charge at all. Do I need to reset the SMC? This is a 2017 model (see my signature).

Note: It just began to recharge, tho I don't know why.

computer to sleep (as long as someone is not working in clamshell mode). Maybe there's some sort of relationship when the computer is shut down + display is closed...somehow helps make all the computers circuitry "extra" happy.

Nick

I had a similar non-charging issue with my MacBook 2017. It would not charge with its original AC adapter and cable. If I put a multiport adapter between the charger and the computer, it would charge - thank goodness - since it has only one USB-C port and no other connections. That led me to believe it was a simple contact issue, though I could not figure out exactly which contact since the cable seemed to work after all.
today, i decided to try another AC adapter plug,non-Apple but same wattage as the original part. Result : charge was immediately recognized, computer happy. Me too.
Maybe it’s just a connection issue and new accessories will resolve the problem. Hope so !