• Battery
  • Charging

MacBook not charging after a macOS update: what to check

Why a MacBook may stop charging or charge oddly after a macOS update, and the order of checks that usually fixes it.

4 min read

Why would an update stop my Mac charging?

Updates reset learned charging routines, run background tasks that keep the processor busy and warm, and sometimes leave the power controller needing a restart. All three look like a charging fault.

What should I check first?

Restart, then:

pmset -g adapter
pmset -g batt

Full adapter wattage with a hold means it is waiting; no adapter means the cable or port.

When will it settle?

Background indexing after an update usually finishes within a day or two, and Optimized Battery Charging relearns over a few days. Why a MacBook stops at 80% covers the hold.

Common questions

Can a macOS update break charging?

Rarely in hardware terms. It more often resets charging behaviour or keeps the Mac busy and warm for a while.

How do I reset charging on a Mac?

Shut down for 30 seconds and start again. On Apple silicon there is no separate SMC reset.

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