MacBook electric shocks: why is it shocking me?

If you have a MacBook, you might have experienced a slight tingling sensation whenever you touch the metal body. It might have even given you an electric shock – similar to when taking off a woollen jumper. But, before you ring up Cupertino and demand to speak to Mr Cook, there are a few simple explanations. Here’s why MacBook electric shocks happen.

And it’s not an obscure problem: type “MacBook shocks” into Google and you’ll be confronted with dozens of forum posts and a smattering of YouTube videos. However, there’s really nothing to worry about. Yes, Apple did have to recall some faulty plugs in April, but that was a rare issue and, for most of us, the tingling will just be a mild annoyance.

MacBook electric shocks: why they happen

There are three main culprits behind the tiny shocks: static electricity, an improperly grounded plug socket, a third-party charger or, quite simply, the age of the laptop. It can be just one of the above or, as I suspected recently with an old MacBook of mine, a combination of all of them.

Here’s what happened: I was sitting at my wooden kitchen table tinkering with a venerable 2013 MacBook Air, which was plugged into the outlet beside the cooker using a cheap third-party charger bought on Amazon, when suddenly – ouch! It was a perfect (electrical) storm that I, a Big Tech Plonker, could have easily avoided.

How to stop your MacBook from shocking you

Switch plugs

It’s highly likely that you’ll only experience the shocks/electrical “rumbling” when your laptop is charging.

An easy fix, then, is to unplug it and try a different socket. If you’re still getting non-static (i.e. more significant) shocks when the laptop is unplugged there could be a more serious issue, such as leakage, so contact Apple support.

Examine, or change, the cable

If you’re still getting the tingling from another plug socket, it could be the charging cable that’s at fault – especially if it’s a knock-off bought from Amazon. I know they’re outrageously expensive (a MacBook Air charger is £79, for Pete’s sake), but it’s worth buying the official kit, if possible.

If your charger is getting old, it’s also worth checking that it hasn’t accumulated any gunk. Unplug it, obviously, and then run a dry cloth over the plug prongs. It’s a long shot, but it might work.

Avoid humidity

Okay, this is obvious advice, but you’ll be surprised at how many people ignore it: don’t use your MacBook in the bathroom with a hot shower running or in the kitchen when, for instance, you’re boiling pasta. Water and electricity really don’t mix.

“Ground” yourself

To avoid a buildup of static electricity, you could regularly touch hefty metal objects – a filing cabinet would be perfect – to dissipate the charge. It may raise eyebrows in your office, though.

The nuclear option

Occasional ramblings, tingling and mild shocks can just be part and parcel of an ancient MacBook. If you can live with them, great. If you’ve tried all of the fixes above and have reached a breaking point, it might be time to find a replacement.

Please let me know in the comments section if you’ve experienced this issue and what, if anything, you did to fix it. Don’t suffer the shocks in silence.

Related reading: MacBook Air 15 vs MacBook Air 13: Which is better for business?