Troubleshooting Guide: MacBook Battery Not Holding Charge

Is your MacBook battery not holding a charge for very long? Don't worry; you can try troubleshooting this issue yourself with the help of this comprehensive guide. Our experts have compiled a set of solutions to help you resolve battery-related problems on your MacBook. Follow these troubleshooting steps, and if you need further assistance, feel free to contact us using the information provided below.

 

Table of Contents

  • Check Battery Health
  • Review Energy Usage
  • Adjust Display and Brightness Settings
  • Close Unnecessary Background Apps
  • Reset SMC
  • Check for Software Updates
  • Contact Apple Support

 

Check Battery Health

Start by checking the health of your MacBook's battery. macOS provides a built-in tool to assess the battery's condition. Follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "About This Mac."
  1. In the window that appears, click on the "System Report" button.
  1. Under the "Hardware" section, click on "Power."
  1. Look for the "Cycle Count" and "Condition" fields to evaluate the battery's health.
      • A higher cycle count may indicate that the battery is aging and may not hold a charge as well.
      • If the condition status shows anything other than "Normal," it may indicate that the battery needs service.

 

Review Energy Usage

Check which apps are consuming the most energy on your MacBook. High-energy usage apps can drain the battery faster. Follow these steps:

  1. Click on the battery icon in the top-right corner of your screen.
  1. Review the list of apps and see if any are using significant energy.
  1. Consider closing or quitting those apps when not in use to conserve battery life.

 

Adjust Display and Brightness Settings

Reducing the display brightness and adjusting other settings can help extend your MacBook's battery life. Follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences."
  1. Click on "Displays" and adjust the brightness slider to a lower level.
  1. In the "Energy Saver" settings, adjust the "Turn display off after" and "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" sliders to conserve power.

 

Close Unnecessary Background Apps

Unnecessary background apps can consume resources and drain your battery. Close apps that you are not actively using. Follow these steps:

  1. Press Command (⌘) + Tab to view open apps.
  1. Use the arrow keys to select an app and press Command (⌘) + Q to quit the app.

 

Reset SMC

Resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) can help resolve battery-related issues. Follow these steps to reset the SMC:

  1. Shut down your MacBook.
  1. For Macs with a T2 chip: Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds, then release it. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn on your MacBook.
  1. For Intel-based Macs: Disconnect the power adapter from your MacBook and remove the built-in battery (if removable). Press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds. Reconnect the battery and power adapter, then turn on your MacBook.

 

Check for Software Updates

Keeping your MacBook's software up to date can address potential battery-related bugs. Follow these steps to check for updates:

  1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences."
  1. Click on "Software Update" and follow the on-screen instructions to update your MacBook's software.

 

Contact Apple Support

If you've followed the above troubleshooting steps and your MacBook's battery still doesn't hold a charge for very long, it's advisable to contact Apple Support. They have the expertise to assist you in such situations and can provide personalized guidance to resolve the problem.