What to Do When MacBook Pro Turns off When Unplugged

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Sometimes your MacBook might not operate correctly. Nobody enjoys it when this happens but the reality is, any computer can experience problems – even high-end machines like a MacBook Pro.

It could be a small issue that is easy to resolve and caused by user error or the problem could be some sort of mechanical malfunction. Either way, when you experience a problem with your Mac it’s nice to know how to get help.

One alarming issue is that your MacBook suddenly shuts down when the charging cord is unplugged, and it only works when plugged in. This is an infrequent problem but it does occur on this type of Mac and if you’ve found this article, this has happened to you.

Let’s first take a look at what might be causing this issue and then how to fix the problem and get your MacBook back to normal again. But if case if you are facing any other issue and your if your macbook won’t turn on then you can follow different steps.

Symptoms of This Problem

If your MacBook Pro is shutting off when disconnected from its charger, you are most likely frustrated and concerned about what is causing this problem.

You are not alone!

There have been a number of reports of MacBook Pro owners experiencing this same issue and while it is not a common issue, it has happened enough to make it a possibility for any MacBook owner.

This problem occurs after the computer is unplugged from a charging adapter and causes the machine to shut off completely immediately after being removed from the power source.

Even if the battery is fully charged, this problem can still occur, making it a confusing and troubling issue if you are experiencing it. Computers affected by this issue seem to only work correctly when connected to a power cord, which limits the functionality of your MacBook.

What makes this problem seem even more strange is that there are usually no signs or symptoms leading up to the computer shutting down unexpectedly.

You would probably think this could be a sign of a bad battery, but many who experience this issue have batteries that are in good condition and operating normally.

If you want to know more about why is my MacBook battery draining so fast, then you can visit this post, Because there are many things that matters in the macbook battery. If you don’t know how to display battery percentage on MacBook pro, then our guide will help you to use the feature.

What to Do if This Problem Happens to You

The good news is that it is usually not as big of a deal as it first seems. One of the solutions below should work to get your computer operating normally again and prevent it from shutting off when the power cable is unplugged.

If none of these solutions work, you may have to take your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air into an Apple store or other computer repair shop to diagnose and fix the issue.

1. Start With the Small Stuff

If this problem happens to you, start with a quick check on small issues that might be causing your MacBook to turn off when unplugged.

Check on your battery health by clicking the Apple logo from the top left of your screen, then About This Mac > System Report > Power. Under the Health Information row, if the condition of your battery says anything other than Normal, your issue might be with your internal battery.

Also, check to make sure that the connection between your MacBook and the charging cable is clean and in good order. Clean any dirt or debris from the connection points as these are magnetic and can collect particles, leading to a poor connection.

Inspect your charging adapter for any signs of damage. You might need to get a new cable but do not do so until running through all of the steps listed here.

2. Reset SMC and Cycle Battery

A common cause of this problem is due to leave your MacBook plugged in for a lot of the time.

This can cause the System Management Controller (SMC) to believe the power level is below a set threshold resulting in it triggering the computer to go into deep sleep mode and shutting off when unplugged.

You can fix this by resetting the SMC and letting the battery go through a few complete charging cycles.

To reset the SMC:

1. Shutdown your computer if it is not already.
2. Press the Shift, Control, and Option keys at the same time.
3. While holding Shift, Control, and Option, press the power button.
4. Hold these four keys for about 10 seconds.
5. Release the keys.
6. Power your computer back on.

If you have an older MacBook with a removable battery, remove the battery before running through the SMC reset steps above.

Next, let your battery run through a few complete battery cycle count. A full battery cycle is from full charge to no charge, so let your battery fully charge and then operate it without connecting to power until it dies.

Do this 2-3 times after the SMC reset and you should not experience the problem any longer.

Check out Eric’s article on best pwoer banks for your MacBook device.

3. Perform a PRAM Reset

Another option to try and resolve this issue is to reset the PRAM on your MacBook. Do this by following the steps below:

1. Shut down your computer.
2. Press the power button to turn back on.
3. Hold down the Option, Command, P, and R keys all at the same time.
4. Hold down these keys until you hear 2 startup chimes.
5. Release keys and allow your computer to start up normally.

If this didn’t work, complete the steps again but wait until you hear 3 startup chimes instead of 2.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, one of these steps above helped to fix your problem of what to do when your MacBook Pro shuts down after being unplugged or only works when plugged in.

I’ve had this happen to an old MacBook I had and the PRAM reset did the trick. If none of these steps worked, you might need to take your computer into a repair shop or get a new charging adapter and/or battery.

Also, run through the resets listed above a few times if the problem isn’t fixed on the first attempt.

Have you ever experienced this issue? What worked to fix the problem?

Eric currently uses a 15-inch MacBook Pro for both work and personal errands. He did all the research and testing to make sure all the fixes and optimization tips shared on the blog are relevant to Apple’s latest macOS updates as well as fact-checking.