Check the battery icon in the top-right corner of your screen
The fastest way to know if your Mac is charging is to look at the battery icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen. Click or hover over it and a small menu appears showing your current battery percentage and charging status.
When your Mac is plugged in and charging, the menu will say "Battery (Charging)" or show a lightning bolt symbol next to the percentage. If it says "Battery (Not Charging)" or just shows a percentage with no indicator, your Mac is plugged in but not actually charging — this happens when the battery is already full or when there is a connection problem.
On newer Macs with the notch at the top of the screen, the battery icon may appear slightly different, but the same information is there: look for the word "Charging" or a lightning bolt to confirm power is flowing to the battery.
Key Takeaways
- The battery icon in the top-right menu bar shows "Charging" or a lightning bolt when your Mac is actively taking power from the adapter.
- A plugged-in Mac that says "Not Charging" is usually at full battery, but can also mean the cable or adapter has a problem.
- The charging light on the power adapter itself — amber when charging, green when full — is a second way to confirm power is flowing.
- If your Mac shows it is charging but the percentage is not rising after 15 minutes, the adapter, cable, or charging port may need inspection.
Look at the light on your power adapter
Your Mac's power adapter has a small light built into the connector or the brick itself. This light changes color to show what is happening: amber or orange means the battery is charging, and green or white means the battery is full.
If the light is off or a different color, the adapter is not delivering power. Check that the cable is fully seated in both the adapter and your Mac — a loose connection is the most common reason the light does not turn on. If the light still does not appear after you reseat the cable, try a different outlet to rule out a dead power socket.
The exact position and color of the light varies by Mac model and adapter generation, so look at the physical adapter in your hand rather than relying on memory. Some newer USB-C adapters have the light on the side of the brick; older MagSafe adapters had it on the connector itself.
Watch the battery percentage to see if it is rising
The most reliable test is to watch whether the percentage actually goes up. Open the battery menu, note the current percentage, wait 15 minutes, and check again. If the number has risen, your Mac is charging.
If the percentage stays the same or drops while the adapter is plugged in, something is blocking the charge. This can happen if your Mac is running a heavy task like video rendering or a large software update — the power going in is being used faster than it can charge. Close unnecessary programs and let the Mac sit idle for a few minutes, then check the percentage again.
If the percentage still does not rise after the Mac has been idle and plugged in for 20 minutes, the cable, adapter, or charging port likely has a problem and should be inspected.
Check the System Settings for battery health information
Your Mac tracks charging history and battery condition in System Settings. Open System Settings, go to General, then select About. Click System Report, then choose Power in the left sidebar.
This screen shows the current charge level, whether the Mac is plugged in, and the battery's health status. If the health shows "Normal," your battery is working as designed. If it shows "Service Recommended" or "Replace Now," the battery is degraded and may not charge fully or hold a charge as long as it should — but it will still charge when plugged in.
The Power section also lists the cycle count, which is the number of times the battery has gone from full to empty. A higher cycle count does not mean something is wrong, but it does explain why an older Mac may not hold a charge as long as a new one.
Verify the cable and port are making good contact
A loose connection is the reason most Macs do not charge even when plugged in. Disconnect the cable from your Mac completely, then look at both the port on the Mac and the connector on the cable for any visible damage, bent pins, or debris.
Use a flashlight to look inside the charging port on your Mac. If you see lint, dust, or anything blocking the opening, use a wooden toothpick or a soft brush to gently clear it out. Do not use metal tools, which can damage the port.
Reconnect the cable firmly — you should feel a click or resistance as it seats. If your Mac uses MagSafe, the connector should snap into place magnetically. If it does not snap or feels loose, the cable may be worn and need replacement. Check the adapter light again; if it now turns on, the connection was the problem.
Test with a different cable or adapter if available
If you have access to another Mac power adapter that matches your model, try plugging your Mac into it. If the battery icon now shows "Charging" and the percentage rises, your original adapter or cable is faulty.
If you do not have a spare adapter, borrow one from a friend or visit an Apple Store to test. This takes 10 minutes and tells you exactly whether the problem is the adapter, the cable, or something inside your Mac.
Do not assume the cable is fine just because it looks undamaged. Cables can fail internally while appearing normal on the outside. If a different cable charges your Mac but your original one does not, replace the original cable.
Know when to contact Apple Support
If your Mac shows "Charging" in the battery menu and the percentage is rising, your Mac is charging correctly — there is nothing to fix. If the battery icon says "Not Charging" and the percentage is not rising after 30 minutes of being plugged in and idle, and you have already checked the cable connection and tested a different adapter, the charging port or battery itself may have a hardware problem.
Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store with your Mac and the power adapter. Bring the original cable as well so they can test it. Have your Mac's serial number ready; you can find it in System Settings under General > About.
If your Mac is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare, the repair may be covered. If not, Apple can tell you the cost before they begin work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac say "Not Charging" when it is plugged in?
This usually means the battery is already full. Macs stop charging once they reach 100 percent to protect battery health. If the percentage is below 100 and it still says "Not Charging," the cable connection is loose, the adapter is failing, or the charging port has a problem. Reseat the cable firmly and wait 15 minutes to see if the status changes.
Can I use a different brand power adapter with my Mac?
You can use a third-party USB-C adapter if it has the correct wattage for your Mac model, but Apple's official adapter is designed specifically for your machine. If you use a lower-wattage adapter, your Mac may charge very slowly or not charge while in use. Check your Mac's specifications to see the required wattage before trying a different adapter.
Is it bad to leave my Mac plugged in all the time?
Modern Macs are designed to stay plugged in without damage. Once the battery reaches 100 percent, the Mac stops charging and runs directly from the adapter. The battery will degrade over time with normal use, but leaving it plugged in does not speed up that process. If you want to extend battery lifespan, you can enable Optimized Battery Charging in System Settings, which limits charging to 80 percent during periods when you typically leave the Mac plugged in.
What does the amber light on my power adapter mean?
Amber or orange means the battery is actively charging. Green or white means the battery is full and the Mac is running from the adapter. If the light is off, the adapter is not receiving power or is not connected properly to your Mac. Check the outlet and reseat the cable at both ends.
How long should it take for my Mac to charge from empty to full?
This varies by Mac model and adapter wattage, but typically takes 2 to 4 hours. Newer Macs with higher-wattage adapters charge faster than older models. If charging is taking much longer than usual, the adapter may be underpowered, or your Mac may be running a heavy task that is using power as fast as it charges.