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m1 MacBook charging issue

my m1 MacBook Air isn't charging after update. I've checked the cable, adapter and the ports on MacBook and they are all fine. I've tried charging it after restarting & shutting down several times. But it isn't working. please give me some advice.

1 reply

Hi,

Your M1 MacBook Air likely has a temporary software/SMC freeze or a battery charging-hold setting triggered by the macOS update.

1. Check for "Optimized Battery Charging"

macOS sometimes pauses charging past 80% or puts charging on hold due to smart battery features.


  • Click the Battery icon in the top-right corner of your screen (or go to System Settings > Battery).
  • Look for a message like Charging on Hold. If it is active, click Resume Charging.

2. Disconnect External Accessories and Hubs

  • Unplug all external monitors, USB hubs, hard drives, or dongles.
  • Plug the Apple USB-C power adapter directly into the MacBook Air without any intermediate docks. Sometimes a connected device or hub draws or blocks proper power negotiation.

3. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) / Power Management

Unlike older Intel Macs, M1 MacBooks manage power via a built-in self-test, but a deep power cycle can reset the charging controller:


  • Unplug the charging cable from your Mac.
  • Shut down your MacBook Air completely.
  • Close the lid and wait for 30 to 60 seconds.
  • Plug the charger back in, wait a few seconds, and open the lid.

4. Check for Wall Outlet "Line Noise"

  • Unplug the power brick from the wall socket, wait 30 seconds (this resets the adapter's internal overload protection), and plug it back into a different wall outlet or a separate electrical circuit.
  • Avoid using extension cords or surge protectors temporarily to see if the outlet is experiencing line noise.

5. Boot into Safe Mode or Run Apple Diagnostics

  • If the battery still has some charge left, you can run Apple Diagnostics to check if the system flags a hardware fault with the battery or logic board