Hi,
Your M1 MacBook Air likely has a temporary software/SMC freeze or a battery charging-hold setting triggered by the macOS update.
1. Check for "Optimized Battery Charging"
macOS sometimes pauses charging past 80% or puts charging on hold due to smart battery features.
- Click the Battery icon in the top-right corner of your screen (or go to System Settings > Battery).
- Look for a message like Charging on Hold. If it is active, click Resume Charging.
2. Disconnect External Accessories and Hubs
- Unplug all external monitors, USB hubs, hard drives, or dongles.
- Plug the Apple USB-C power adapter directly into the MacBook Air without any intermediate docks. Sometimes a connected device or hub draws or blocks proper power negotiation.
3. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) / Power Management
Unlike older Intel Macs, M1 MacBooks manage power via a built-in self-test, but a deep power cycle can reset the charging controller:
- Unplug the charging cable from your Mac.
- Shut down your MacBook Air completely.
- Close the lid and wait for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Plug the charger back in, wait a few seconds, and open the lid.
4. Check for Wall Outlet "Line Noise"
- Unplug the power brick from the wall socket, wait 30 seconds (this resets the adapter's internal overload protection), and plug it back into a different wall outlet or a separate electrical circuit.
- Avoid using extension cords or surge protectors temporarily to see if the outlet is experiencing line noise.
5. Boot into Safe Mode or Run Apple Diagnostics
- If the battery still has some charge left, you can run Apple Diagnostics to check if the system flags a hardware fault with the battery or logic board