MacBook Pro 13 Charging Issue/Questions

The SMC is responsible for managing power on your Mac. Resetting it can resolve certain uncommon issues related to power or thermal management.

Resetting the SMC may be suggested for Intel-based Mac computers as a final step to resolve issues that could be power related:

•Battery isn't charging

•Mac isn't turning on

•Fans are running fast

•Mac laptop computer gets too warm

•Built-in camera isn't working

If your Mac is experiencing one of these issues, follow the steps appropriate for your Mac model: How to Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

Steve2728 wrote:

My charger is plugged in all the time, but every few of days i get a low battery alert and notice it's no longer charging. I plug into the other charging port and it starts charging again each time. Sometimes it works for a week, other times it needs to be unplugged and replugged several days in a row. It's unpredictable as far as I can tell.

Do I need to replace the USB-C cable, charging block, or maybe have the charging ports replaced? It seems odd that it happens randomly with wither left side USB-C charging port (unless they are connected inside.)

Thanks for any advice to what to try or check.

Model Name: MacBook Pro

MacBookPro13,3

Running Monterey 12.7.6

re: MacBookPro13,3 

Yes reset SMC for power Management...but there is more

A restart typically re-defines Port definition, however I would also —

Try resetting NVRAM/PRAM Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

(get at least two-three rounds of the chimes when holding the NVRAM Reset)

For magSafe issue—

If your Mac battery will not charge—

If your Mac battery won’t charge - Apple Support

If your MagSafe cable or power adapter isn't working

Unplug the power adapter from the wall, wait 60 seconds and then plug the adapter back in.

If your MagSafe cable or power adapter isn't working - Apple Support

If your Mac battery status is “Not Charging” - Apple Support

If your Mac battery status is “Not Charging” - Apple Support

With the power plugged in —

Run the user Diagnostic...not as definitive as Apple's own AST2 (Apple Service Toolkit) back bench diagnostic, but may kick out an error code. Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

I can say an old 2016 is not going to be cost effective to repair hardware, outside of a simple cable replacement/magsafe power adapter...

see vintage and obsolete:

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

It appears a MBPro 13,3 is a MacBook Pro 15" (2016) model.

The USB-C ports on those 2016-2017 models wear out very quickly because part of the mechanism to hold the USB-C connector tight is just made of unreinforced fiberglass board. Which makes these cable connections loose which could cause it to lose connection if the cable is bumped. With 2018+ models, Apple fixed the problem by reinforcing the edges with metal which helps slow the degradation.

I find many of the USB-C ports are oxidized or may even have grime or liquid damage to them which can cause odd issues.

A USB-C port can also be half bad. Rotating the USB-C connector 180º upside down can allow a port to suddenly start working (or work better), although it would also indicate a hardware issue with that port if there is a difference in behavior/performance.

The USB-C ports on each side of an Intel Mac are contained on a single I/O Board (although separate). So if you have problems with the ports on the one side, then try the ones on the other side. Sometimes an issue on one side can cause problems on the other side ports due to how the ports are wired into the circuit even though each one has their own chip & filter.