Battery not charging after macOS Catalina Update

I'm having the same issue and one "workaround" I found is to start charging with a regular charger, then unplug the charger cable and connect the D6000 cable and... charging works. This is valid just as long as the interval between unplug-plug is short. I suspect a bug in Catalina at this point...

So far nothing. One rep told me to reinstall Catalina, the next said it wouldn’t matter. But, there is something weird that I’m doing to at least get it to charge. I’ve tried 8-10 different combinations and this is what works.

Macbooks charging block (USB-C) to a GOOGLE USB-C to USB adapter —> JBL Charge 4 cord (USB to USB-C) and into the USB-C port on the MacBook.

absolutely dumb...but it hasn’t worked any other way.

On Amazon, I’ve ordered more of these adapters and JBL cords in the event one stops working. At least this is a workaround for me.

Point to all of this? The port works. But there’s a signal this particular adapter from GOOGLE that makes it work every time with the JBL Charge Cord. Apple’s for me dumbfounded. And when I call “We haven’t heard of an issue like this....”. ..........Me: “K”

I started having this issue after upgrading to Catalina. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017). The power source is the Power Adapter, but the battery doesn't charge. Tried resetting the SMC and PRAM. The only way I can get it to charge, is by disconnecting all other USB-C devices (monitor, keyboard, external drive).

I have the same problem. Using Apple's charger, the mac can't charge unless I take out the USB-C cable and flip the ends the other way around: the end that was in the charger to go in the macbook and vice-versa. Then it starts charging again.

Apple Support sent me a new charger and it didn't work, they're going to send in a new USB-C cable and a new UK Plug adapter too now. I noticed it at first appearing on 10.15.1, it fixed itself over an update, but it's not back consistently on 10.15.4. The hardware seems fine, the behaviour is consistent over all 4 ports, so it's unlikely for it to be the macbook (16", 2019). The ports work fine otherwise. Either the cable is defective, or it's one **** of a software bug.

In my case I had to update the firmware of the D6000 docking station after installing Catalina.

I've installed the latest update for Catalina and it's now charging fine via the usb adapter, looks to have fixed it for me. I'm now on Catalina 10.15

For me updating to Catalina 10.15.1 seems to have resolved my charging issues for the moment.

I have just noticed this problem on my macbook air 2018 while using the digital av multiport adapter. The macbook charges fine plugged directly into the charger, but if I try charging through the multiport adapter sometime it doesn't charge and sometimes it does.

I'm chatting with apple support now and they suggest replacing the multiport adapter so i'll give that a go.

Talked with Support. Ran through this process:

Called Apple Tech Support. With them I did the following:

1) Ran Diagnostics. - Everything checked fine.

2) Reset SMC. - No go.

3) Reset Parameter Ram. - No go.

3) Tried to reinstall OS to current version (Option-Command-R) but could not because the install wouldn't work because you could not charge. Could not update without the computer plugged in.

4) At a loss and crying now. Brand spanking new. Ugh.

5) Now have to send Mac back to Apple. They will not guarantee a brand new computer over the phone. Said maybe a refurbished model. They don't know.

6) I repeat, this was right out of the box. Brand spanking new. Could not handle Catalina. I guess.

• Frustrated in the Mountains.

Hi Truthischeap, if you haven't tried this already, recommend to reset the System Management Controller (SMC): https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

Background: After my post above (Nov 1, 2019 1:44 AM) didn't permanently work, I reset the SMC (twice, actually). Result: The problem went away -- or at least, has not recurred in the ensuing 60 hours. I'm calling that a win for now. Battery now charges. May be worth a shot for you.

Good luck!

I cannot believe Apple is ignoring this to be a Software problem. I am sitting in a co-working space and first i thought it was my laptop, but as others that have macbooks reported the same issues after catalina update, this cannot be a coincidence. I have tried everything to have a solid loading procedure, but yesterday while working the mac turned off while having more than 10% and reported due to battery empty. I restarted - no charging - again. So it must just randomly stop charging, even though plugged all day. When i plug in in the morning, i plug power only (no apple hdmi/usb adapter in between) and wait 3 minutes - finally the loading starts, then i plug in my usb-c dock and monitor. If I plug all over the dock or the apple adapter, it will never go into charging. Whats frustrating, that my laptop seems to be starting to bloat slightly... so the feet on the bottom dont touch the desk anymore. I think this problem is messing with my battery and destroying it... and guess who can pay for that **** - on a late 2014 model. You guessed it - me!!!! Apple has not had an interest in what true apple fans (been on mac since 1997) have to say, ever since steve passed. I want tim to sit next to me for 5 minutes - and honestly, without me even trying - he should be seeing the frustration that i am having across apple devices and software. Catalina update already cost me 2 days of not beeing able to work because of inaccessibility to write to the :bin, even as :root admin. I am software developer myself and depend on things like this. Oh my God!!!!!!!!

SOLVED!!

had the same problem after upgrade to 10.15.1.

called apple support and did a SMC per a nice lady's instruction. all taken care of after that.

--without connecting to power cable press and hold right shift + left option + left control and power button for 7 seconds it will reboot itself ...after it is up plug in power cable all is good

you can also google SMC reset for more info.

This is definitely seems like a Catalina issue, not a HW issue. I have 2 MacBooks and three Magsafe chargers. The problem arose on both MacBooks after Catalina was installed. And the problem occurs regardless of charger - I tried all three.

On my trusty MacBook 11" which is my regular, faithful travel computer, the problem is so severe that I left it in the cupboard this week. I'm travelling with the reserve MacBook 13" and now that one is also showing some of the same symptoms. I hope it survives the week...

Mac Air 11" 6/2013

Mac Air 15" Early 2015

This workaround from ecastle2020 seems promising.

For me, it works in a simpler form

1. Shutdown

2. Wait a couple of minutes

3. Reboot

The green light (or yellow light) sometimes comes back immediately when I reboot, sometimes a few minutes after the reboot. But the important thing is that this workaround works - I can use the MacBook, and the battery is charging, even if there is no green or yellow light.

This has happened to me on four or five occasions now. Each time I can spend a day or more without a laptop at all and with it refusing to charge until it revives, seemingly of its own accord. What seems to work for me (if randomly) is letting - not that I have any choice on the matter when it does it - the battery run down to 0, then leaving the laptop completely unplugged for several hours, and then plugging it back in but not using it for several hours and then switching it back on. It recalibrates it maybe? SMC reset doesn't seem to do anything. I haven't yet got the 10.15.5 update though. It all seems pretty temperamental...