You click the battery icon and it says "No Battery Available". Or the icon has a cross. Your MacBook may still work on the charger, but shuts off as soon as you unplug it. This message means macOS no longer recognises the battery. This article explains the possible causes, what you can try yourself and when the battery needs replacing.
Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam and replaces MacBook batteries.
What does the message mean?
The MacBook sees no battery, or gets no data from it. That may be because the battery is completely empty and shut off, because the battery is faulty, because the connection is loose, or because of a problem in the charging section of the logic board.
Step 1: charge for a long time with the original charger
Connect the original charger and leave the MacBook for at least half an hour. A very deeply discharged battery may not be recognised at first, and sometimes comes back after charging for a while. See MacBook will not start after a flat battery.
Step 2: restart and SMC
Restart the MacBook. On an Intel MacBook an SMC reset can make the battery recognised again, because the SMC manages the battery. See resetting the SMC. On a Mac with an Apple chip: shut it down, unplug the charger, wait half a minute and start again.
Step 3: check System Information
Open System Information (Option-click the Apple menu) and choose Power. If Battery Installed says "No", or you see no data on capacity and cycle count, the Mac really does not see the battery. If there is data, look at the condition. See checking battery health and cycles.
Step 4: watch for swelling
A battery that is giving up sometimes swells. Signs: the bottom bulges, the trackpad gets stiff or no longer clicks, or the lid does not close properly. Then stop using the MacBook and do not charge it. See swollen battery.
Why does it shut off without the charger?
Without a recognised battery the MacBook runs on the charger alone. Unplug it and there is no power, so it shuts off immediately. You can use it like this temporarily, but save your work often. On some models the MacBook also runs slower without a battery, because it may draw less power.
Other battery messages
"Service Recommended" means the battery is worn but still works. "Not Charging" means the charger is recognised, but the battery does not accept power. "No Battery Available" is the most serious: the battery is not seen at all. Also see MacBook says "Not charging".
After a battery replacement
If the message appears right after fitting a new battery, the connection may not be seated properly, or the battery may not suit the model. Have it checked by whoever fitted the battery.
When is it the logic board?
If the message also returns with a new, working battery, the problem is on the logic board: in the charging section or the connection to the battery. That happens, for example, after water damage. See component repair explained.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
We measure the battery and the charging section on the logic board. If the battery is broken, we replace it; if it is the logic board, we tell you what that needs. You hear beforehand what it costs. More on our page about MacBook battery replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep working with this message?
On the charger usually yes, but save your work often and watch for a bulging bottom.
Will the battery come back by itself?
Sometimes after long charging or an SMC reset. Usually it means the battery is due for replacement.
Is this dangerous?
The message itself is not. A swollen battery is; then stop using the MacBook.
