Apple has a reputation for making luxurious, high-priced products. Still, people buy them en masse. Take for example how MacOS rose in just 10 years from an ownership of 12.86% to 31.34% in the US desktop market.
It’s hard not to love a Mac: it’s slim, has unparalleled battery life, and remains blazing fast for years. The cherry on top is that fancy snap-on charging cable. The problem is that Apple does not have a reputation for making good cables, and yours might not be looking so hot.
How do you tell when your Mac charger cable is in need of replacement? Let’s take a look at some signs that it’s time to buy a new one.
Signs Your Mac Charger Cable Is Broken
To be clear, we are talking about any issues with your Mac charger cable, Mac power adapter, and the charging port itself. It’s important to diagnose which of the three (or all three) the problem originates from.
Your Mac Is Not Charging
The first and most obvious sign that there is an issue is that your Mac is not charging. Before further diagnosis, make sure to isolate the issue just in case it’s not the cable or a loose Mac charging port.
Make sure the outlet you’re using has power and has not blown out or been tripped. Check another outlet, just in case. Make sure the prongs are intact, straight, and free of debris.
Next, make sure the charging adapter has all its pins and is not obstructed by dust or debris. Check the insert on your MacBook as well. If there’s any grime, use a dry cloth and/or isopropyl alcohol to clear it out.
Your Mac Dies When Plugged In
Perhaps your Mac shows that it is charging, but it still dies while plugged in. This could be a sign that some of the wires are frayed or loose, resulting in limited power draw. The power outlet should be able to power and charge your MacBook at the same time, so clearly the charger is at fault.
Check the integrity of the charger and cable. Take note of the plastic or woven sheath peeling away. Look for exposed wires, or cracks and breaks in the seams between the adapter and cable – we’ll discuss later why these things present an issue.
Your Cable Is in Bad Condition
Any longtime Apple owner knows that the factory cables that come with your devices are very low quality. Apple only includes a thin, cheap plastic sheath that does not allow for much bending, twisting, or pulling. It’s highly recommended that you purchase a higher-quality, thicker woven cable from a third party.
Even if your Mac is charging just fine, a cable in poor condition is a disaster waiting to happen. It could stop working at any time, especially if you are away from home and have no other device.
Further, a frayed or exposed cable presents a risk to your safety and a fire hazard. You or someone you know could touch the cable and suffer an electric shock. Children who don’t know better may be at risk.
It’s better to bite the bullet now. Buy a new charging cable, pay to fix a loose charging port, or do whatever needs to be done. Otherwise, you’re just waiting for misfortune to befall you.
You Have Issues With the Plug Converter
Modern MacBook charging bricks are much smaller and more modular. If you have an M1-M3 then you probably have a palm-sized brick with a detachable USB-C charging cable. It may also include an extra charging port for another USB-C device.
Older MacBooks, particularly those before the M1 chips, featured a very different charging brick. The most noticeable distinction is that you can attach one of two plug adapters. One allows the brick to plug directly into the wall, while another adds an extra length of cable before the plug.
Issues may arise with this adapter, especially if you switch it out often. It may no longer sit flush, or may not click fully into place. You may also notice burn marks inside when popping off the adapter.
If there is an issue with the above – particularly on the brick side – it may be time for a replacement. If it’s just the attachment itself, then that’s a cheaper, easier replacement.
Your Folding Prongs Are Broken
M1-M3 Macs, as we mentioned, have a modern, smaller, modular adapter brick. It’s lighter, more durable, and less prone to breaking since there is no attaching plug adapter or plastic cable. However, it does have its own potential issues with the folding prongs.
The newer Macs’ folding prongs are nice since they allow you to stow the charger in a much smaller format. However, those prongs can bend or break. They’re less firm and durable when plugging into a wall compared to a grounded cable.
If you are having trouble plugging in or the prongs are loose, it may be time for a replacement.
What If Your Mac Won’t Charge or Turn On?
Now, you’ve diagnosed all of the potential issues with your Mac charger cable and Mac charging port. Our comprehensive guide will cover the vast majority of situations, if not all of them. What do you do if your Mac still doesn’t charge, or doesn’t even turn on?
Unfortunately, at this point it’s time to take it into the shop. The issue could very well extend beyond the cable and have to do with internal motherboard components. Check out our other guides to do a self-diagnosis, or just bring it in so we can take a look.
Visit Fruit Fixed for Expert Repairs
The Mac charger cable (pre-M1 in particular) does not have a reputation for being very high-quality. Use this guide to determine if it’s time to replace your cable.
In some cases, you may wish to do so preemptively. For others, it may simply not work and require an immediate replacement.
At Fruit Fixed, we can handle it all. Our expert technicians know how to diagnose and solve issues with Apple, Android, and Windows-based products. Tell us which MacBook you have and drop by to get a professional to look under the hood.
