MacBook Pro Charger has stopped working properly - any short-term fixes?

Question

I have a MacBook Pro 15", about a year old. Today, the charger started working only intermittently. I've seen a few other people talking about similar problems, and most people say it's a problem with the charger.

However, I'm on a working holiday and the only Apple suppliers in this city are very expensive. If I have to, I'll buy a new power adapter, but I'm hoping somebody might know some fixes I can use to get me through the next couple of weeks until I'm back in the UK.

Answer 1

This is a very common problem and has happened to me twice in the past -- unfortunately the adapters are very fragile at the tip.

Apart from getting it replaced, you can try gently wiggling the thin wire connection right where it meets the metal adapter tip. Pushing it in towards the computer can also help. Sometimes it will start working again if it's in just the right position, but it's easy to knock out of place again. Either way, it will be difficult to live with for two weeks. :[

EDIT: In case it wasn't clear, the gentle wiggling/pushing should be done while the adapter is attached to the computer. You can judge your success by whether or not the computer starts/stays charging. Keep the computer on a stable surface while you do this, and if you get it working, don't touch it -- or it will likely stop working again.