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Related Article: If your MagSafe cable or power adapter isn't working

Mag-safe not charging, not lighting up, but USB-C charging is fine in 14" MacBook Pro 2021

Woke up with dead computer. No light with Magsafe. Bought USB-C cord, plugged it into same charger, and it charged.


How do I know if the cable is bad or if the Magsafe connection within the MacBook is bad? I'd prefer to use the Magsafe to charge as it leave me an additional USB-C port to use.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.1

Posted on Dec 2, 2023 9:38 AM

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6 replies

Dec 3, 2023 5:48 AM in response to jscheuerle

jscheuerle wrote:

Woke up with dead computer. No light with Magsafe. Bought USB-C cord, plugged it into same charger, and it charged.

How do I know if the cable is bad or if the Magsafe connection within the MacBook is bad? I'd prefer to use the Magsafe to charge as it leave me an additional USB-C port to use.


On the M1/M2/M3 A SafeBoot Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support will sort many anomalies

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test. Caches get rebuilt automatically.



if no insight—

yes try a different cable, try a different magsafe— visit a store if necessary for over the counter help.



if no resolve—


In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Outside the USA

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support





ref: If your MagSafe cable or power adapter isn't working

Dec 3, 2023 7:43 AM in response to jscheuerle

Hi js

Have you tried to clean the contact pins on both the MagSafe cable and the computer?

The pins and contact pads can become dirty or stuck. Cleaning with 91 - 99% (not lower 70%) alcohol on a Q-tip or even just your finger may be all you need. Make sure the cable is not plugged in while cleaning.

The Pins on the end of the cable need to be able to move in and out of cable end. They often get stuck in recessed position and will not move in and out freely and when that happens the cable will fail to charge. You can simply test by pushing on each pin and feel the pin going in and out.

In my experience dust bunnies on the cable pins are the most likely cause and easily fixed. The fact that you can charge via USB-c with the same charger, tells me that your charge circuitry is fine, so most likely cable. I routinely clean my older cables once or twice a year.

Hope this Helps, Greg

Dec 30, 2023 10:06 AM in response to jscheuerle

When you charge using usb-c, are you using the Apple supplied charger and just changing the type of cable connected between the charger and MBP, or are you using a different charger? If you can just change the cable and use the same charger, it would have to be either the MagSafe cable, or you have a defective charging chip inside the computer.

If you connected a different charger and it works, then your Apple charger is defective.

As Leroydouglas suggested, try a different charger in addition to a different cable.

While Very rare, it is possible to buy a brand new but defective cable.

Of course, try shutting down your computer completely, wait a minute then restart. This might resolve your issue if it is a corrupted start up routine. Then I would try the "Boot into Safe Mode" procedure.


Hope this Helps, Greg

Dec 27, 2023 12:09 AM in response to leroydouglas

I bought a new magsafe cord – still no charging. This Macbook spends 100% of its time with the charger plugged into it. I'm wondering if some sort of power surge damaged it, even though it's plugged into a battery backup surge protector...


My next step is to see if starting in SafeBoot and rebuilding the caches affects anything. The Mac is out of warranty and an Apple store is not convenient to me.

Mag-safe not charging, not lighting up, but USB-C charging is fine in 14" MacBook Pro 2021

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