I have a 2012 MacBook Pro and suddenly it's not accepting a charge.

[brush]

Would the battery of a unit 8-years-old stop accepting a charge? Or maybe it's the power cord. The magnetic connection on the cord seems to have have developed a kink and frayed where the wire connects, could that be it and I just need another power cord?

Any help will be appreciated.

[pbmus]

1. Buy new charger cord...

[cayugafalls]

2. I would try another power cord first. Sounds like it may have shorted.

I hope you can get one.

Stay well.

[brush]

5. Thanks. I'll try gainsaver.com, they sell refurbished Macs.

[Moostache]

3. Did you discharge your battery completely? (run it down to 0%?)

I ran into something very weird with my Samsung Cell Phone (Galaxy S8) a few months back...

It fully discharged to 0% on the battery and then would not sync up and accept a charge unless I got into the service menus and managed to 'trick' it into charging through the menus in that area...I had to let the thing fully recharge and then it started acting normally again afterwards...

It was bizarre, but I have not seen the same problem since...

I would try Google search for MacBook Charging Issues...someone may have directions to a fix for you already...

Good luck!

[brush]

16. It hasn't discharged completely. I shut it down before that. I think it's the power cord.

[Moostache]

17. Most likely...good luck! (n/t)

[nilram]

4. I helped a neighbor with an issue like that

and it turned out to be his power cord.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. Remove the battery. Does the computer run without a battery?

If so, your power supply is fine.

[Cattledog]

9. Battery can't be removed in a 2012 MBP they are glued in.

Not a DIY project.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

12. Rats. All my Mac laptops have user-removable batteries.

This has a Magsafe connector, or whatever they call it, right?

[ragemage]

7. Honestly I would purchase new battery and charger

A kink in the cord/fraying indicates it is possibly bad. Also the battery is now 8 to 10 years old and will not be holding a charge as well. New chargers and batteries for Macbook Pros are available on Ebay relatively cheap, around $35 for a battery and around $18 for the charger.
You can just try a new charger, that would be my first step and then get a new battery if needed.

One word of caution, definitely buy OEM or better quality replacement parts. The really cheap batteries/chargers are not worth it.
Verify your model number also before ordering to make sure the new parts will work properly.

Good luck!

[C_U_L8R]

8. Try to reset the PRAM and SMC

Instructions here... just a few restarts holding certain keys.

https://thenextweb.com/lifehacks/2017/06/14/how-when-why-to-reset-the-pram-smc-on-your-mac/

[brush]

19. Thank you.

[Cattledog]

10. Happened to me on my 2015 MBP

Big $$$$ to replace. But I think I remember there being a recall on the 2012 battery check with Apple.

[brush]

15. Think I'll replace the cord first, but how much was your battery to replace.

Can't get to the Apple store now with this shutdown.

[Jirel]

11. Does the LED on the cord light up?

If it does, the cord should be usable, but maybe need replacing soon per your description. It is much more likely that the battery is kaput. Yes, after 8 years your battery is likely the culprit.

If your laptop is not working while it’s plugged in, that’s a different story. You can remove a battery and still run the computer on wall power. But if it’s not running on wall juice, especially if that LED is not lighting up, it’s a connection problem. It may be the power cord, or even the circuit in the laptop it connects to. I’ve seen those fry, but it’s relatively rare.

Happy to help you if you want to continue the convo. Not a professional, but I rebuild macs from that era with silly frequency.

[brush]

13. Yes, the LED doesn't light up. Last night it would light up and then cut off. I would jigger with...

it and the light would come on again. Now it's not coming on at all. Must be the cord, right?

[Jirel]

24. Most likely.

It’s 99% likely that the cord is the problem. That last 1% is a possible problem with the charging circuits in the laptop. But given the state if the cord as described, pretty darned sure it’s your cord.

[Tetrachloride]

14. Go to the nearest neighborhood store.

They may have a charger and / or cord for u already opened. Test it.

If it works, buy a new charger.

[brush]

18. Can't get to the Apple store now with the shut down. Will find a replacement cord online first.

[Tetrachloride]

20. Even a small store of Batteries Plus Bulbs is worth a shot.

[Sancho]

21. I replaced the battery on a 2011 MacBook Pro

...still using it. Bought a battery on Amazon.

[brush]

22. Thanks, was it an easy job?

[Sancho]

23. I followed a Youtube video a couple years ago...

but the battery came with instructions. I think it was pretty easy. Just a small screwdriver.