2018 MacBook Air Won't Charge

[CocOvation]

I bought two different MacBook Airs from eBay, both 2018 models and each from different sellers. Each one has had similar charging issues, and I don't know if it's something in the settings or what.

The first one came with a charger, and I purchased an additional. It charged the first time just fine, but then after it fully charged, when I plugged it in, it wouldn't charge. I did the SMC reset several times, and it would charge again the first few times I did that, but not afterwards. I downloaded the latest version of the operating system, and it fully charged the first time after doing that, but then I ran into the same problem that it wouldn't charge again.

I tried using different chargers and different power outlets, but no luck.

I called Apple Support, and they told me to run a diagnostic on it. After just running the diagnostic, it would start charging again, but that only worked about three times.

I then took it to the Apple store. The technician said he needed to reseat the battery, which he did, and it then charged, but again, only that initial time, and then it went back to not charging.

I ended up returning the unit and the charger it came with to the seller and bought another 2018 MacBook Air from a different seller on eBay, and this second one included a charger, as well.

Once again, it charged initially no problem, but now, after the first charge, it won't charge anymore. I am up to date on the operating system, and I tried the SMC reset, to no avail.

I found this article, which says there's a setting that attempts to save the battery life by only allowing the battery to charge once the battery is 90% drained: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/if-your-battery-status-is-not-charging-mh20876/mac.

However, I unchecked those boxes, and it's still not charging.

I just find it odd that two different MacBook Airs from two different sellers are having the same issue, which makes me wonder if there's a setting that's off or if there's some kind of bug with MacBook Airs.

Can someone help me, please?

Thank you.

 

[chrfr]

I bought two different MacBook Airs from eBay, both 2018 models and each from different sellers. Each one has had similar charging issues, and I don't know if it's something in the settings or what.

The first one came with a charger, and I purchased an additional. It charged the first time just fine, but then after it fully charged, when I plugged it in, it wouldn't charge. I did the SMC reset several times, and it would charge again the first few times I did that, but not afterwards. I downloaded the latest version of the operating system, and it fully charged the first time after doing that, but then I ran into the same problem that it wouldn't charge again.

I tried using different chargers and different power outlets, but no luck.

I called Apple Support, and they told me to run a diagnostic on it. After just running the diagnostic, it would start charging again, but that only worked about three times.

I then took it to the Apple store. The technician said he needed to reseat the battery, which he did, and it then charged, but again, only that initial time, and then it went back to not charging.

I ended up returning the unit and the charger it came with to the seller and bought another 2018 MacBook Air from a different seller on eBay, and this second one included a charger, as well.

Once again, it charged initially no problem, but now, after the first charge, it won't charge anymore. I am up to date on the operating system, and I tried the SMC reset, to no avail.

I found this article, which says there's a setting that attempts to save the battery life by only allowing the battery to charge once the battery is 90% drained: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/if-your-battery-status-is-not-charging-mh20876/mac.

However, I unchecked those boxes, and it's still not charging.

I just find it odd that two different MacBook Airs from two different sellers are having the same issue, which makes me wonder if there's a setting that's off or if there's some kind of bug with MacBook Airs.

Can someone help me, please?

Thank you.

If T2 based Macs, like the 2018 Air, sit with the battery discharged for long enough that the battery goes completely dead, you'll have to get the battery replaced. Unfortunately even when the Mac is off, the T2 chip remains on, and draws power. This eventually kills the battery in these.

 

[kibepo73]

If your MacBook is not charging then it might be due to a simple issue like improper connection, or it could be due to a complex problem like wrong power settings in SMC. At first, you can try the below quick fixes to resolve the issue:

1. Check if the MacBook’s power adapter is properly attached to the power source and MacBook's charging port. Remove it once and re-attach it.
2. The MacBook adapter has three parts: Adapter, removable plug, and cable. Detach everything & clean, if there is any carbon deposit, it will get cleaned.
3. Check the adapter and cable for any physical damage.
4. Make sure that you are using the right charger compatible with your MacBook. Every MacBook model requires its specific charging adapter; else, it won't charge.
5. Make sure your adapter isn't overheating. If the adapter overheats, your Mac will shut the power intake until the adapter cools off.
6. Check the charging port on your MacBook and ensure that there is no dust or dirt in it.

Hope the above fixes will resolve the problem and make your MacBook charge normally. If not, then try the below methods to fix any software-related issue:

1. Check the battery of your MacBook.
2. Reset SMC.
3. Update or Reinstall macOS.

Hope the above methods and solutions will help you resolve the issue!

 

[BanditoB]

There have been many folks reporting problems with charging various MacBooks under macOS Monterey. You can look for the threads here on MacRumors. Perhaps upgrading to Monterey 12.5, released today, will rectify the situation.