#Improve battery life on macbook pro 2012 mac
Mac settings are adjusted with a slider, letting you select the amount of time the computer can sit idle until it goes to sleep. In System Preferences, select the Energy Saver pane and review your preferences. Let's start by looking at the settings and software.
#Improve battery life on macbook pro 2012 software
If you still find yourself powerless, the problem lies within the computer itself, caused by either a software issue or faulty hardware. As mentioned before, there are two different styles of MagSafe connector available, so be sure to purchase the one that fits your MacBook.Īt this point we've eliminated the problems that can be caused by kinked cords or environmental causes. If a simple swap fixes the problem, discard the offending item and simply get a new one.
While the unibody design used in the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air do a fairly good job of keeping everything cool, you might want to let the system cool down if it's warm to the touch.Įven if you can't find any damage on the power cable or battery (assuming it's accessible), swapping out one or both with a different cable and battery can quickly diagnose unseen problems you may have missed. As the temperature rises, a thermal sensor shuts off the battery to prevent the lithium-ion polymer from becoming so hot it bursts into flame or explodes. If it's the wrong cable, it can be fixed with a simple swap.Ī non-charging battery can sometimes be caused by an overheating laptop. Does the port match the size and shape of the connector? If there is damage, repairs may be in order. Is there any sort of damage to either the port or connector? There are two different MagSafe connectors on the market, with slightly different shapes. If, however, the port is damaged directly in some way-dropped on its corner, panged with a hammer, whatever-it might be unable to connect. That is, in fact, what puts the "Safe" in MagSafe the connector disconnects easily if someone pulls or trips over a cord, preventing internal damage. The beauty of the MagSafe connector is that, unlike the average laptop power connector, the shallow magnetic port plugs in easily, with minimal play and few opportunities to damage the port. Is it discolored? Are any parts warped or expanded? Give it a sniff-if it smells like burnt plastic, that's likely where the trouble lies. Check the ends for any broken connections, such as a MagSafe connector pulling loose or spots that may have gotten chewed by a pet or caught in a vacuum cleaner. If you've got a MacBook released in the last four years, move on to the next step.įeel along the length of the power cord, bending and flexing as you go, to check for any kinks or breaks. Obviously, this step only applies to older MacBooks with user-accessible batteries. If the laptop powers on properly, the problem was likely a bum battery. We'll start with the most common and easy-to-address issues.Ī simple way to check the integrity of the battery is to remove it entirely and try plugging in the laptop. That begins with eliminating where it isn't. There is a real issue with powering the MacBook now it's simply a matter of figuring out where the problem may be. Finally, find out whether the problem doesn't lie with the laptop at all: Try plugging the power cord into a different outlet to see if you've got a short or a blown fuse.Īt this point, we've determined that it's not just user error causing the problem. Is there debris in the MagSafe port preventing a clean connection? Is the power adapter fully plugged into the outlet? Check the AC adapter brick and verify that any removable cords are fully inserted. No software tweak or hardware repair can make a disconnected laptop magically power on.īefore checking anything else, then, you need to ensure that both the AC outlet and MagSafe plugs are firmly seated.
It sounds silly, but you need to make sure that the MacBook is actually plugged in.