Being able to carry your work wherever you go is one of the USPs of working on a MacBook. These sleek computers are known for their portability and lightweightness. And, of course, their exceptional battery backup.
But what do you do when your MacBook cannot hold charge like it used to? This can be a frustrating situation. However, you are not alone.
Several Mac users are reeling under the same situation. Are you asking yourself why does my Mac die so fast? This guide explores the common reasons behind your Mac computer’s battery woes. Knowing the specific reason will help you quickly address and solve the issue.
- Damaged or Non-Functioning Cables and Chargers
If the charging cable or charger is damaged or not functioning, it can result in inadequate charging. This might cause your MacBook to lose power even when connected to the charger.
You can find out whether the charging cable or charger is faulty by inspecting them for physical damage. You can even use a different cable and charge to determine if the problem persists.
Also, make sure you are using authentic Apple accessories. If you are using third-party cables and chargers, they might not provide you with reliable power.
- Battery Wear & Tear and the Age of the Battery
With time, it is normal for the battery to degrade, as all batteries do. MacBooks use lithium-polymer batteries, and the more you recharge the batteries, the shorter their battery life becomes. Since this is a natural process, there’s not much you can do about it. As time passes by, you will notice a reduced capacity. The solution is to consider battery replacement if your computer is old. But if your computer is not old and you notice an overall reduction in battery life, keep reading.
- High brightness levels and other display settings contribute to excessive power consumption
Your computer’s display is a massive contributor to the overall power consumption. Keeping the brightness level high and using other resource-intensive features will drain your battery quicker than expected. It is essential to optimize your display settings so it consumes less power and you can use your Mac computer for longer hours.
Start by reducing the brightness level. You can also turn off True Tone in System Preferences and set your computer to dim the display when there’s no activity automatically.
- Rogue Background Programs and Applications
Mac computers are known for their robust performance, but they can be impacted if there are rogue processes and apps running in the background.
If you notice the fans making a loud noise or your computer struggling to finish basic tasks, there might be rogue applications or programs sapping your battery in the background. You must identify these apps or processes to fix the issue.
Head to the Activity Monitor > click the Applications folder > search for resource-hungry apps or processes > uninstall the apps consuming too much power or force quit the processes.
You can also go to System Preferences and check the Energy Settings to manage which applications are allowed to run in the background.
- Engaging in Battery-Draining Activities
Are you deliberately engaging in battery-draining activities? These activities include streaming high-definition videos, playing graphic-intensive games, or running complicated software. This can lead to rapid battery drain.
You can mitigate this by using power-hungry activities when your computer is plugged in. Or you can use these apps and programs by turning on the battery-saver mode. You can even consider lowering the resolution settings to save battery.
- Issues with Battery Calibration
Calibrating the battery helps in understanding the full capacity of your Mac’s battery. If the calibration is done incorrectly, your computer might misreport the charge level. You can recalibrate the battery by charging the computer to 100% and then keep it connected for several hours. Then, leave it for a few hours before recharging it again.
- Software Bugs or Outdated MacOS
Battery problems might be attributed to outdated macOS or software problems. You can address this by always keeping the macOS software up-to-date. Regularly check for updates, or you can set up automatic updates.
You can even check for battery-related issues in the forums and release notes. If an update has introduced battery problems, you can report the issue to Apple.
Wrapping Up
It can be frustrating if your MacBook doesn’t hold a charge. But this is not an unsolvable problem. You must understand the reasons behind this problem and take the necessary steps to extend the battery life. Whether it is adjusting the settings, managing rogue applications, or replacing the battery, solutions are readily available so you can make the most of your MacBook’s battery.
Have you experienced issues with battery life when working on your Mac? Share your experience to help other Mac users cope with similar issues.
