MacBook Pro won't turn on, with power disconnected, unless battery is at 100%.

MacBook will not turn on when power adapter is disconnected, unless battery is at 100%.


MacBook Pro 15" 2019, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3. Processor: 2.6 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7. Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB. Memory: 16 GB 2400 MHz DDR4.


My battery could be at 80%, and MacBook will not turn on (with power disconnected). I have tried forced restart, which will likely help to restart provided my battery still has a significant charge. I have reset the SMC. I have reset NVRAM. I have run diagnostics.


This has been going on for about a year, but now this is getting annoying. Not sure what else I can try. I have not experienced any other MacBook issue. When power adapter is connected, it always starts. But when on battery only, I will not normally start up unless power was connected. If I disconnect the power adapter after startup, then it keeps running.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 15.7

Posted on Jan 26, 2026 6:09 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 26, 2026 2:16 PM

Just checking to make sure you performed the SMC correctly since your laptop is a T2 model where the SMC Reset procedure has changed from earlier Intel Macs. I personally like to Option Boot the Mac and let it sit at the Apple boot picker menu when I perform an SMC Reset so that I know that the SMC Reset has actually been activated because it will cause the laptop to immediately power off.


Here is the Apple article with instructions for performing the SMC Reset for various model Macs including the T2 models (read the instructions very carefully & perform it exactly as written):

Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support


Also, I have seen a lot of the 2016+ USB-C Apple laptops require the power adapter to be connected even when the battery has a sufficient charge. Generally this is rare, but I have seen it with a lot of laptops I have serviced. I believe the laptop's Logic Board loses contact with the Battery for a moment after which these USB-C Apple laptops tend to need the power adapter to be connected in order to power on. I had a brand new battery have this problem, so I suspect the problem is more with the Logic Board than the Battery, but it is hard to say since I've never investigated it enough to figure out the source of the problem.


With a 2019 model.....if this is the original battery from the factory, then it may very well be worn out or even failing....it is difficult to determine this without special testing of the battery beyond what the Apple Diagnostics provide. Or it may be an issue with the Logic Board or a combination of both.


You can try disconnecting all external devices from the laptop just in case one of them may be causing a problem.


You can try running the Apple Diagnostics to see if any hardware issues are detected. The only useful diagnostic is one which reports a problem. Even if the diagnostic reports a bad battery, it may not necessarily be the cause of your specific issue here. Even with my years of experience, I cannot say it a new Battery would solve your specific issue with this laptop.


Personally I don't recommend spending any money on repairs for any Intel Macs for multiple reasons. The money spent on repairs is better put towards a new laptop.


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 26, 2026 2:16 PM in response to seguinmr

Just checking to make sure you performed the SMC correctly since your laptop is a T2 model where the SMC Reset procedure has changed from earlier Intel Macs. I personally like to Option Boot the Mac and let it sit at the Apple boot picker menu when I perform an SMC Reset so that I know that the SMC Reset has actually been activated because it will cause the laptop to immediately power off.


Here is the Apple article with instructions for performing the SMC Reset for various model Macs including the T2 models (read the instructions very carefully & perform it exactly as written):

Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support


Also, I have seen a lot of the 2016+ USB-C Apple laptops require the power adapter to be connected even when the battery has a sufficient charge. Generally this is rare, but I have seen it with a lot of laptops I have serviced. I believe the laptop's Logic Board loses contact with the Battery for a moment after which these USB-C Apple laptops tend to need the power adapter to be connected in order to power on. I had a brand new battery have this problem, so I suspect the problem is more with the Logic Board than the Battery, but it is hard to say since I've never investigated it enough to figure out the source of the problem.


With a 2019 model.....if this is the original battery from the factory, then it may very well be worn out or even failing....it is difficult to determine this without special testing of the battery beyond what the Apple Diagnostics provide. Or it may be an issue with the Logic Board or a combination of both.


You can try disconnecting all external devices from the laptop just in case one of them may be causing a problem.


You can try running the Apple Diagnostics to see if any hardware issues are detected. The only useful diagnostic is one which reports a problem. Even if the diagnostic reports a bad battery, it may not necessarily be the cause of your specific issue here. Even with my years of experience, I cannot say it a new Battery would solve your specific issue with this laptop.


Personally I don't recommend spending any money on repairs for any Intel Macs for multiple reasons. The money spent on repairs is better put towards a new laptop.


Jan 26, 2026 6:19 AM in response to seguinmr

Given you have tried the various common troubleshooting, it sounds to me like a trip in to service is warranted.

If your Mac doesn't turn on - Apple Support


Get your Mac repaired and see how much will it cost: Mac Repair & Service - Apple Support 


You can make a Genius Bar appointment for hardware/software service and support using this link: Contact Apple Support - Apple Support


 Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753) or on line /getsupport.apple.com/ 

or call AppleCare Support at 1-800-APLCARE (800-275-2273) 


MacBook Pro won't turn on, with power disconnected, unless battery is at 100%.

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