MacBook Pro not charging - requires reboot - possibly macOS 12.4 problem?

[Fing]

This also happened to me a couple of times during the past a few weeks. I'm using a MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) 32GB memory. Every time it happened, I need to reboot the laptop so it can charge.
Tried different USB-C ports, switched cables, and MagSafe, and no luck.
I guess it might be a software problem since I didn't remember I had this issue before.

 

[sjuzhet]

+1. This happens to me every time since 12.4. After a restart, if I plug it in, it charges just fine - but if I then unplug my Macbook, it won't charge anymore unless I restart it.

 

[elmnoise]

This happened to me for the first time today. M1 Pro and I've been on 12.4 since it was released. SMC reset via reboot fixed it.

 

[robotica]

Same thing happed to me yesterday with my 14 pro, thought a breaker had tripped but when I checked it everything off was on. A reboot fixed it. Very strange as I have had this 4 months now and it’s never happened before.

 

[TriciaMacMillan]

I’ve just read that this has become a relatively frequent 12.4 issue with some M1 MacBooks, though not with all.

 

[changeableface]

I have had this problem for quite some time now not sure if it predates 12.4 but feels like I've had the issue for months.

System:
Macbook Pro (14-inch 2021)
Chip Apple M1 Pro
Memory 16GB
macOS Monterey 12.4

Thought I'd share my two cents.

The nature of the m1 chips means you can no longer perform the SMC fix via keyboard presses alone. The "new" method is time-consuming and requires a second mac. You need to follow the instructions here to revive your mac, this will reinstall the firmware and reset SMC: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/apple-configurator-mac/apdd5f3c75ad/mac

While others have reported this resolved their issue, unfortunately, this has NOT resolved it for me.

Interestingly we bought three of the same spec laptops at the exact same time, only one of the three suffers from this issue, and yet all three have the same hardware and OS. I'm beginning to suspect I will need to send the faulty unit off for repairs of some kind.

 

[hyh]

Interestingly we bought three of the same spec laptops at the exact same time, only one of the three suffers from this issue, and yet all three have the same hardware and OS. I'm beginning to suspect I will need to send the faulty unit off for repairs of some kind.

OP here. It's almost certainly affecting a small minority of MacBook Pro owners - probably well under 1/3 and probably less than 10%. There are only about 100 complaints in this board and at Apple. Hopefully, it will be fixed with next update. Otherwise, I'll have to ask for a repair or replacement - it is very annoying.

Failure to charge has happened now well over a dozen times in the past month for me. I am fairly sure that it is more likely to happen after the MacBook has been put to sleep by closing the lid. There was one time when I did not have to restart for 4-5 days before the problem returned. Aside from closing the lid factor, I haven't noticed a pattern.

Possibly related, there was one weird day when the power adapter (20 watt) sporadically lost connection for short periods of time before reconnecting and making beeping noise - it probably happened 10+ times in 2 hours or so. Restarting did not fix it, but it hasn't happened again since then.

 

[Rodan52]

Switching from one charger to another may seem convenient but I have noticed issues with doing that even with earlier macOS and earlier model MBP's. Restarting partially resets the SMC to some extent but a proper reset with keyboard command at restart is better. There is no doubt that Monterey is more particular about system functions but I have a new M1 14" MBP and have not experienced any of the mentioned problems above. I seriously doubt it is a "bug" rather it is the nature of the macOS to be more particular about connected devices. I would be interested to see if issues persist when the same charger and connection is used.
Sadly resetting the SMC is a little more complicated with the M1 series but should also be less necessary.

 

[plyle]

I have a long thread on this issue and I saw it appear on one of the 12.x updates with my 16-inch 2021 MBP. The problem I was having is that the USB-C charging stopped working. I rebooted a couple of times and the problem went away. I've heard from several people about this and don't know how I fixed it on my MBP, it just started working again.

 

[dubdub9]

I've got this issue with my 16 MBP, needing to restart it to enable it to charge. Any other current fixes? Do you advise taking it in for repair or is it a software issue?

 

[fttx]

I'm experiencing the exact same problem after the 12.4 update. Reboot is required.
Does anyone know if resetting the SMC fixes the issue? Is downgrade possible?

 

[dubdub9]

From what I've read, the Apple Silicon doesn't let you reset the SMC any other way than just a restart. That said, I've also tried the SMC reset process and it didn't work for me; had to restart computer a few days after to get charge to register. Very frustrating.

 

[tshort]

Experiencing the same thing with a 14" MBP M1 Pro. I had to restart it to charge the battery (SMC functions are now handled by the M1 chip... so please don't tell me to reset the SMC). Plugged into a USB-C charger or monitor, or using MacSafe. The system does not recognize that it's plugged in. I am also using 12.4.

 

[velofisch]

Some with me here, happened after the update to OS 12.4. Rebooting starts charging again. USB-C and Magsafe charging are dysfunctional until then.

 

[tshort]

Hmm... I just plugged in my MBP after having it unplugged for a while... it's recognizing the power adapter. I did reboot with the adapter plugged in, and I wonder if that makes a difference?

 

[Sydnxt]

Did you try to reset the SMC? Does the charging work reliable when you do not run Al Dente?

Apple Silicon resets the SMC with every restart, which this user has done.

 

[robot prom]

my M1 Max is doing it. Running 12.4, doesn't matter if it's USB C or Magsafe. It'll stop recognizing it's being charged until you reboot, and then it's fine for a while.

 

[chanci]

+1

 

[thv]

just stared happening for me, if it won't charge I'm pretty well screwed as they won't send my damn display for my desktop...

16" will not take charge from included 140w/magsafe or any USB C
oddly the orange/amber light comes on with included charge. but it's not registering it's there and charging. had to restart not once but twice to get it to register

 

[fttx]

I've reported the issue here -> https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos.html
Is there a best way to get in touch with apple, and let them know of the issue?
Also, does anyone know if it's possible to downgrade macOS?

 

[maximumstudio]

I have found a work around that has worked for a few days in a row now. I had to restart the Mac every morning after plugging it in to a USB-C dock since 12.4 for it to charge. The workaround: I disconnect the power cable from the dock before plugging in the USB-C cable to the Mac. Then I reconnect the power cable to the dock and it works as expected - including charging of Mac, external display, wired network and usb peripherals. The workaround is annoying but a thousand times better than having to reboot the Mac every morning. I don’t restart it for several weeks in a row, normally - that is until this bug appeared. Hope it helps some of you.

 

[dstyp]

I have found a work around that has worked for a few days in a row now. I had to restart the Mac every morning after plugging it in to a USB-C dock since 12.4 for it to charge. The workaround: I disconnect the power cable from the dock before plugging in the USB-C cable to the Mac. Then I reconnect the power cable to the dock and it works as expected - including charging of Mac, external display, wired network and usb peripherals. The workaround is annoying but a thousand times better than having to reboot the Mac every morning. I don’t restart it for several weeks in a row, normally - that is until this bug appeared. Hope it helps some of you.

Thanks for sharing. No luck for me using this method unfortunately.

Hard to discern a reproducible pattern. I believe I've only found two things on my end - 1 if the computer has been disconnected but never entered sleep it is more likely it'll take charge without restart and 2 oftentimes using another tb port when connecting will enable monitor and other peripherals but still won't take power (pd disabled).

 

[MrMacintoshBlog]

Has anyone tested the 12.5 RC build?

 

[thv]

even after restarting, usb c charging wont work for me
kind of defeating the point of having a laptop to have to go to a certain place to charge..
if the problem is it being picky about non apple, well the apple chargers won't ship for over a month

 

[trueredsoxfan58]

I have this issue and have a multitude of different chargers (both apple and third party) via usb and magsafe and they all are subject to this bog.

2021 14