If you’ve bought a refurbished MacBook and it’s not charging, don’t panic this is a common issue, and often it’s a simple fix.

Before you book a repair or assume the battery is dead, try these 7 proven, at-home solutions to get your Mac charging again.

1. Check the Power Adapter & Cable

Make sure you’re using a genuine Apple charger or a certified replacement. Some third-party chargers don’t supply enough power or fail over time.

• Try another adapter or cable if available.

• Inspect for fraying, burn marks, or bent pins.

• Make sure the plug is snug in both the wall and the MacBook.

Tip: If your need a new MacBook charger you can get one from Tekhouz Solutions.

 

2. Inspect the Charging Port (MagSafe or USB-C)

Dust, debris, or even tiny metal fragments can interfere with charging.

• Shine a flashlight into the MagSafe or USB-C port

• Use a soft brush, toothpick, or compressed air to gently clean it

• For MagSafe: Ensure the pins aren’t stuck and the LED light turns on.

3. Reboot Your Mac

Sometimes a system bug can cause the battery controller to stop detecting charging properly.

• Click the Apple logo - Restart

• Let it fully reboot, then reconnect the charger

This often fixes temporary power recognition glitches.

4. Reset the SMC (System Management Controller)

The SMC controls battery and power functions. If your MacBook still isn't charging, try resetting it.

How to Reset SMC (Intel MacBooks):

1. Shut down the Mac

2. Hold Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds

3. Release all keys

4. Press the Power button to turn it on

On Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3):

There's no SMC reset  just restart your Mac normally. Apple handles power management differently on these models.

5. Check Battery Health in System Settings

Sometimes the Mac is charging, but the battery is degraded or limited by software.

• Go to System Settings > Battery > Battery Health

• Look for terms like:

  • Normal: Battery is fine

  • Service Recommended: Battery may need replacement

  • Charging on Hold: Optimized charging is enabled (can appear to “not charge”)

Tip: Refurbished MacBooks often come with slightly used batteries - not always perfect, but usually still solid.

6. Try Charging in Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads minimal drivers and can help detect third-party software interference.

To Enter Safe Mode:

• Shut down your Mac

• Turn it on while holding the Shift key

• Release when you see the login screen

Then connect your charger and see if it works.

7. Still Not Charging? Try These Last-Resort Steps

• Try a different outlet or power strip

• Update macOS to the latest version

• Boot into Recovery Mode and run Disk Utility > First Aid

• Test with another known-good charger

If nothing works, your MacBook may have:

• A dead battery

• A logic board issue

• Or a damaged charging circuit

Final Thoughts 

If you bought your MacBook from a refurbished seller like Tekhouz Solutions, always check:

• Whether it’s still under warranty

• If it came with charging support or battery guarantees

• Whether it was graded with a known battery health range

Need Another Device ? Contact Us

We are happy to help you to buy your refurbish mac from Tekhouz Solutions anytime visit our website or give us a call today.