Addicks striker Jayden Stockley scored the game’s only goal when he headed home Jonathan Leko’s cross in the 66th minute, and the Black Cats were unable to respond.
Lee Johnson’s side did have a late appeal for a penalty turned down when Ross Stewart’s effort hit the arm of defender Jason Pearce from close range.
The result means Sunderland have dropped back out of the automatic promotion places, although they do still have games in hand on most of the teams around them.
Johnson must now pick his side up for Tuesday's Carabao Cup game at QPR, before a trip to Rotherham in League One next weekend.
Our chief SAFC writer Phil Smith has delivered his verdict on how each player fared at the Stadium of Light against Charlton:
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The result means Sunderland have dropped back out of the automatic promotion places, although they do still have games in hand on most of the teams around them.
9. Aiden O'Brien - 4
Played with endeavour as always but a day when the end product just wasn’t there. Lacked composure and spurned too many good openings for his team. 4
Photo: JPI Media
10. Alex Pritchard - 5
Showed some good touches but not quite able to get into the game as much as he’d have liked. Was unlucky that one good cross was turned onto the crossbar by Cirkin early in the second half. 5
Photo: JPI Media
11. Ross Stewart - 6
Did little wrong. Forced one excellent save from MacGillivray in the first half and generally held the ball up well. One or two slack passes but broadly helped his team with his all-round play. One of the better performers. 6
Photo: JPI Media
12. Leon Dajaku (sub) - 6
Went close with one good effort and brought some impetus to the side, but couldn’t find the crucial end product. 6
Photo: JPI Media