MacBook won’t charge? We fix ports and charging circuits.
“Not Charging” in the menu bar, a port that stopped working, or a Mac that dies even while plugged in. We find out whether it’s the charger, the port or the board, then fix the right part.
- 2–5 days typical
- No fix, no fee
- 90-day warranty
- Free insured mail-in shipping
Signs you need this repair
Sound familiar? The diagnosis is always free.
- “Not Charging” shows even with the charger connected
- Charges in one port but not the others
- The MagSafe light doesn’t come on
- Charging connects and disconnects repeatedly
- Charges very slowly or drains while plugged in
- The cable feels loose in the port
- Stopped charging after a spill or a new hub or charger
Which charging port does your MacBook use?
- MagSafe and MagSafe 2: MacBook Pro models up to 2015 and MacBook Air models up to 2017.
- USB-C only: the 12-inch MacBook, every MacBook Pro from 2016 until the 2021 redesign, the 13-inch M1 and M2 MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models from 2018 through M1.
- MagSafe 3 plus USB-C: the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2021, and MacBook Air from M2 onward. These charge through either.
On MagSafe 3 models, if MagSafe stops working, test charging over USB-C. That tells you a lot about where the fault is.
Check these first
- If the menu shows the battery is charging on hold or not charging at around 80 percent, that may be Optimized Battery Charging. It’s normal and protects the battery.
- Try every port. On many models each side has its own charging circuitry, so one port can fail while another still works.
- Use an adapter with enough wattage for your Mac. A small phone or tablet charger may keep the Mac from draining but won’t charge it under load.
- Try a different cable. Some USB-C cables are rated for low power or data only.
- Unplug hubs and docks and connect the charger directly.
- Check MagSafe connectors for small bits of metal stuck to the magnet, and USB-C ports for lint. Remove debris gently with a wooden toothpick, never metal.
- On Intel Macs, try an SMC reset. Apple publishes the steps for each model.
What actually fails in the charging path
Power travels from the adapter, through the cable and the port, into charging chips on the logic board, and then to the battery. Any link can fail.
- Cable or adapter. Frayed cables and failing adapters are common and simple to replace.
- The port. Worn, bent or corroded contacts, or a port loosened by strain. On some models the ports are on a small separate board; on others they’re soldered to the logic board.
- The USB-C power controller. USB-C charging starts at 5 volts, and the Mac negotiates up to a higher voltage. If the controller chip fails, the Mac never asks for more, and a USB-C meter shows it stuck at 5 volts.
- Protection parts and shorts. Fuses, filters and capacitors near the port can fail, and a short elsewhere on the board can stop charging altogether.
- The battery. A failed battery may refuse to charge even when everything else works.
How we repair a MacBook that won’t charge
At the free diagnosis we test with known-good adapters and cables, read what each port negotiates with a USB-C meter, and measure the charging circuit on the board. Then we fix the actual fault: cleaning a port, replacing a port board or flex, microsoldering a new port onto the logic board, or replacing a failed power controller or protection component. After the repair we test charging on every port with more than one adapter, plus data and video where the port supports them.
If the Mac won’t start at all, see MacBook logic board repair. If it charges but the battery drains fast, see MacBook battery replacement.
Protect your charging ports
Use reputable chargers, cables, hubs and docks. Poorly made USB-C accessories are a common cause of failed charging chips. Don’t plug in a charger if the port might be wet. Avoid working with the cable bent sharply at the port, and unplug before moving the Mac. If a cable or adapter starts to feel hot, looks damaged or charges only intermittently, stop using it.
What affects the price
Charging repairs start from $99. Cleaning and port board replacements sit at the lower end. Ports soldered to the logic board, failed power controllers and liquid damage cost more. If the battery also needs replacing, that’s quoted separately. We confirm the price with you before any work begins.
Mail it in from anywhere in the US
No repair store near you? Book online and we'll email a free, prepaid, insured shipping label. We diagnose it within 24h of arrival, repair it once you approve the price, and ship it back insured. How mail-in works.
Questions
Can a USB-C hub damage my MacBook?
It can. A faulty or poorly made hub or dock can send the wrong voltage into the port and damage the charging circuit. If charging stopped right after you plugged in a new accessory, mention it when you book.
My charger works on another Mac. Is my port broken?
Possibly, but it could also be the charging circuit behind the port or the battery. The free diagnosis tests each part so you only pay for what failed.
Is it worth fixing if one port still charges?
Often, yes. Using a single port wears it faster, and the fault behind the dead port may be early damage that spreads. A diagnosis tells you what’s going on.
Why does my Mac only charge when it’s asleep or off?
Usually the adapter doesn’t supply enough power for the Mac under load, so it can’t charge and run at the same time. It can also be an early sign of a failing charging circuit. Try the adapter that came with your Mac, or one with the same or higher wattage.
My MagSafe 3 cable is frayed. Is that a repair?
No. A damaged charging cable should simply be replaced. Stop using a frayed cable, because exposed wires are a safety risk.
More MacBook repairs
Something else not quite right?
Screen replacement
Cracked, lines, dark or flickering display
Battery
Service battery warning, short battery life
Keyboard & top case
Sticky, repeating or dead keys
Liquid damage
Diagnosed free. You see the price before any work.
Won't turn on / logic board
Diagnosed free. You see the price before any work.
Trackpad
Won't click, unresponsive or swollen battery pushing it up
Repair guides
Try this first.
Does your MacBook need a new battery?
How to check your MacBook's battery, when to replace it, and what affects the cost.
Spilled something on your MacBook? Do this now.
The first few minutes matter most. Here's exactly what to do, and what to avoid.
MacBook won't turn on? Try these fixes first.
No lights, no fans, nothing? Rule out power and the display, then learn when it's the logic board.
Broken today? Start your repair in two minutes.
Three quick questions: your model, what's wrong, and how you'll get it to us. See your price, then book a nearby store or mail it in.