Your MacBook Air could be plugged in but fail to charge for several reasons. There could be a blockage in the port itself, or the charging cable itself could be damaged or defective. Check your battery condition to make sure it is in normal condition, and update your software or replace your charger to fix it.
My name is Ty, and I have been working on and around MacBook Airs for years. I am familiar with the ins and outs of it and the plethora of issues that may arise during usage.
In this post, I will explain the multiple causes of your MacBook Air not charging when plugged in and how the steps required to fix it.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Make sure the charging port is free of any debris.
- Make sure your cable and power adapter are functional.
- Check your battery to make sure it is still in good condition.
Clean Your Charging Port
You would be surprised how simple this fix is, but how easily and often it seems to be overlooked. A blockage in your port may prevent it from charging, even though it may seem like your device is plugged in.
The best practice to clean out this port would be to spray with compressed air from a good distance to loosen and dislodge any stuck dirt and then gently use a dry toothbrush or something similar to extract the debris.
Once it is clean, it is also good practice to shine a light into the port and check further for any potential damage that could also prohibit your MacBook Air from charging correctly.
If you notice any pins or damage, you can schedule a time with an Apple Support Technician so that they can take a closer look. https://support.apple.com/repair
Is Your Software Up To Date?
While this one is less likely, covering all of your bases never hurts.
Check to make sure your version of macOS is up to date entirely. Out-of-date software can cause a multitude of minor issues. Including, but not limited to, your device’s ability to communicate properly with peripherals.
To make sure you are up to date, follow these steps;
- Navigate your cursor to the apple logo at the top left of your mac
- Select “System Settings” and navigate to General, “Software Update.”
- Your macOS will scan for any software updates that may be available. Follow any prompts to install the update.
MacBook Air Will Not Charge When Overheated
The environment may also impact why your device is refusing to charge. Take a quick look at where you are working, and decide if it is in the best condition for your MacBook Air. If you are using your MacBook Air on top of a blanket, it can overheat.
When your MacBook begins to overheat, it will prohibit certain things from attempting to cool itself off; one of these things is making sure your battery will not charge, even while plugged in. This is to protect the device from any further damage.
Move it to a cooler area, and allow it to cool off. Give your MacBook Air a reboot as well, then give the charger another try.
Check Your Charging Cable
It is also probable that the issue does not lie with your MacBook Air at all. Double-check to ensure that your USB-C cable or MagSafe charging cable is firmly connected to the power adapter, and then double-check that your power adapter is inserted into a power outlet.
If you have everything plugged in as it should be, try another outlet. That’s right, plug it into a different wall and check the battery icon to see if the charging symbol appears.
If this does not work, try another charger! If the other charger works, but yours does not, then that means you have a faulty charger. All you have to do then is purchase a new one or use another one.
It is best to ensure that you use the correct power adapter for your MacBook Air model; using one with the incorrect voltage could make it not charge!
Make sure you use an Apple charger, not a third-party brand one. At the same time, the lower price might be enticing. Some can even cause damage and unnecessary wear on your device. If you use a non-name brand charger, switch to an official Apple one.
FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about MacBook Air’s not charging when plugged in.
How Can I Force My MacBook Air to Charge?
- From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
- Click the Battery icon.
- From the sidebar, click Battery, as shown above.
- Select battery health, and from there, deselect “Optimized Battery Charging.”
Final Thoughts
If you are having trouble getting your MacBook Air to charge while it is plugged in, verify there is no damage to your port, check to ensure your cables are secure, and try a different charger and wall outlet. Make sure your device is up to date as well!
I hope one of the solutions I gave you above fixed your issue. But suppose you’ve done all the above troubleshooting steps, and your MacBook Air still refuses to charge. In that case, you can take your MacBook Air to the Apple Store so that they can investigate further.
