The light stays off, the percentage doesn't climb, or macOS shows "battery not charging"? Before fearing the worst, most charging problems come from the charger, the cable or the connector — simple parts. Here's how to isolate the cause, from the free test to the repair.
Charging follows a chain: outlet → charger → cable → connector → battery. One faulty link and nothing charges. So you test link by link, starting with the simplest and cheapest: the charger and the cable. Next comes the charging connector, then the battery, and lastly the logic board. Nine times out of ten, it's not serious — and it can be fixed.
Each step rules out a link. Don't skip the first ones, they solve the most cases.
Try another outlet, check that the cable isn't cut or frayed (especially near the tips), and that the brick warms up a little (a sign it's working). A borrowed charger that works points to the culprit: yours. A non-compliant or underpowered charger can also refuse to charge.
Tip: clean the connector (dust, lint) — a bad contact is enough to block charging.The port (USB-C) or the MagSafe connector can be clogged, bent or worn. On some Macs, a dedicated daughterboard receives the charge: it can be replaced without touching the logic board. Symptoms: intermittent charging, only in one cable position, or none at all.
At our shop: charging connectors in stock, from €10 depending on the model.A battery at the end of its life may show "not charging", "Service recommended", or no longer hold a charge. If the Mac only works while plugged in, or if it has swollen, it's the culprit: a part that can be replaced (from €30).
Further reading: our guides "swollen battery" and "Mac that won't turn on".If the charger, the connector and the battery are fine but nothing charges, the charging circuit on the logic board (often after a liquid spill or a power surge) is to blame. This is the realm of micro-soldering — repairable without replacing the whole board.
These checks isolate the cause without spending a thing:
Depending on the diagnosis, a simple part in stock:
When doubt remains or the logic board is at fault:
"The Mac won't charge: it must be the battery."
Often, the battery is fine: it's the charger, the cable or the connector that's giving out — far cheaper parts. Replacing the battery without a diagnosis means risking paying for the wrong part. Test the chain link by link first.
Charger, cable, connector, battery, then logic board: working up from the simplest to the most technical, you find the true cause without buying the wrong part. Most charging faults are minor and repairable.
First try another charger and another outlet, clean the connector, then restart. If the message persists with a charger that works elsewhere, the charging connector or the battery are probably at fault.
Try a borrowed charger in good condition: if it charges, your charger was the problem. If it doesn't charge either, look toward the connector, battery, or logic board.
It depends on the link: a charger costs €15–90, a charging connector from €10, a battery from €30. A logic board repair is quoted after diagnosis.
That's the sign of a battery at the end of its life or failing. It can be replaced; in the meantime, avoid forcing it, especially if the case is bulging (swollen battery).
A quality, compatible charger is no problem. However, an underpowered or poor-quality charger can charge slowly, refuse to charge, or even damage the circuit over time.
On some Macs, the charging port is carried by a small separate board (daughterboard) connected to the logic board. This makes it possible to replace the worn connector without changing the whole logic board.
Place du Mac guide — chargers, connectors and batteries tested, 2-year warranty, repair and micro-soldering workshop at 51 rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, Paris 9th. Apple, Mac and MacBook are trademarks of Apple Inc.; Place du Mac is an independent repairer, not affiliated with Apple Inc.
