If the MacBook won't load, there could be many reasons. Most of them, however, can be fixed easily and with little effort. You can use the following checklist to easily find out if your MacBook is simply not connected properly - or if there is a more serious problem. We help with troubleshooting.
MacBook won't load - get started
Multiple plugs plugged in and switched on?
Yes, it sounds banal, but in many cases the socket, or more precisely the power strip, is the cause of charging problems. Then namely when it is not switched on, for example. Because many power strips have corresponding switches that prevent the flow of electricity. You should also test whether the connector strip is plugged in correctly.
Too weak or wrong charger?
Modern MacBooks can be charged via USB-C. However, this has the consequence that many users try to use other than the original power supplies. Make sure to always use the charger supplied with the MacBook, because third-party devices often have far too little power. Power strips with USB ports or many monitor USB-C ports are also not made for the performance that a MacBook needs. So: Always use the original charger with the original cable on a functioning socket to ensure that this source of error is excluded. Also make sure that the connector on the MacBook is correctly inserted..
SMC reset when MacBook won't load
If the power and power supply are connected correctly, but the MacBook still does not want to charge, we recommend resetting the so-called SMC (System Management Controller): unlike in the PRAM, the Mac stores very deep system functions in the SMC, including controlling the battery and the Charging current. System errors, crashes or shutdowns when the battery is low can cause malfunctions. The SMC is not only responsible for the power supply, but also for other things such as fan control. If the SMC is spinning, so is the Mac. Fortunately, the SMC on MacBooks is very easy to reset:
SMC reset on MacBooks with removable batteries
If you still have an old MacBook with a removable battery, resetting the SMC is easy:
- Shut down the Mac and remove the battery.
- Press the power button for 5 seconds.
- Reinstall the battery.
- Restart the Mac. Everything should work normally now.
SMC reset on MacBooks with built-in battery
The procedure is slightly different for Mac notebooks with a built-in battery. Here the SMC cannot be "de-energized", which is why a little keyboard gymnastics is necessary:
- Turn off the MacBook.
- Then press the [Shift] + [Ctrl] + [Option] keys on the left side of the keyboard together with the power button.
- Hold this position for 10 seconds and then release.
- The SMC is now reset. You can restart the Mac.
SMC reset on MacBooks with T2 chip (MacBooks from 2018)
More modern MacBooks also require a different approach. To perform an SMC reset here, you must proceed as follows:
- Turn off the MacBook.
- Then press and hold the on / off switch for 10 seconds.
- Release the switch and restart the MacBook.
- The SMC is now reset, any charging problems should be eliminated.
What to do if the MacBook still won't charge
If the MacBook still does not charge after taking all of the preceding steps, it is likely that there is a hardware defect: Either the charger is defective or the charging connector is defective. You can test this, for example, by swapping the power supply units with a device of the same construction. If the MacBook still does not charge after that, everything speaks for a defect on the part of the MacBook - unfortunately now you have to take your device to an Apple service partner.
