The solution for a dead USB-C port on your MacBook

Has the USB-C port on your MacBook died? Instead of running to the store for a new one, there is a possible solution to get your Apple laptop’s connection working again.

A MacBook is a lot less pleasant to use when the USB-C port no longer works. That’s especially true if you have a MacBook Air with only two USB-C ports, because then you only have one left.

Have you turned it on and off yet?

The first thing you can try is to completely reboot your MacBook. In addition, you can try to system management controller, or SMC, to reset. It affects the power, battery, fans and other elements on your MacBook.

First, turn off your MacBook in the normal way, by clicking the Apple icon in the top left and Turn off… to select. Now press and hold the power button on your laptop for ten seconds and release the button. Now wait a few seconds and turn your laptop back on with that same button.

Reset SMC

Are your USB-C ports still not working? Then it is probably necessary to reset the SMC. The System Management Controller controls, among other things, the amount of power your MacBook sends to various components, including whether it supplies power to your USB-C ports. How you reset the SMC depends a bit on the model you have.

If you have a MacBook that does not run on Apple silicon (but is from 2018 or later), first turn off your MacBook. Then hold down Control + Option + Shift for about seven seconds. Then also press and hold the power button for another seven seconds. After waiting a few seconds, you can turn the device back on.

MacBook with Apple silicone

If you have a MacBook that does run on Apple silicon, such as the MacBook Air (2022), it is a lot easier to reset the SMC. Go to the Apple icon in the top left corner and press Restart… Now if you’re wondering where the rest of the explanation is, have no fear: this was it! With laptops that run on Apple silicon, you only have to restart the laptop to reset the SMC. So super handy!

If all this doesn’t work, there’s probably something seriously wrong with your USB-C port. There is not much else to do than to pay a visit to a repair center. Or maybe go to the store for a new one?