Laptop charging and not charging

You’ve plugged in your laptop, but it refuses to charge. There is no charging notification, and the battery icon on the taskbar doesn’t indicate that the laptop is charging. Panic time? Calm down. There are times when you have plugged in your laptop for charging but it doesn’t charge. Chances are, it is something easily fixable. The following steps will tell you what to do when your laptop battery isn’t charging when plugged in.

1 Physically check all cable connections

Before deploying troubleshooting, make sure the charging cable has been inserted firmly into the laptop charging port. Make sure you have double-checked the connection on the wall outlet or try using another socket in case your current socket isn’t working. In case you have plugged it into the power strip, try connecting it directly to the wall. Also, check the connections of the AC adapter brick.

2 Remove battery before connecting it to power

This is only applicable for laptops that have removable batteries. To determine if the laptop battery is working or not, try removing the battery completely from the system by pulling on a few tabs under or behind the machine. Make sure that the computer was shut down before removing the battery and also unplug the charger and other connection accessories. Once the battery is removed, hold on to the power button for some time for clearing any remaining charge in the system. Now, connect the charger and try turning on the laptop. If it starts working normally, then the charging problem basically lies with the battery. Remember to clean the battery compartment of the laptop and make sure you wipe out any foreign material you see. Now reset the battery and be sure it’s lined up properly. If this process doesn’t fix the battery issue then chances are that your battery is dead and needs replacement.

3 Make sure you use the right charger and ports

Here you have to check if your battery is getting enough power or not. Laptops usually have one port for charging, but new laptops these days come with USB-C chargers that connect to the USB-C ports instead. Not all USB-C ports on your laptop may be ready to handle power, try another USB-C port. In case you use a USB-C charger try all the USB-C ports as some might be used for data transfer only. For best results, make sure you use original chargers as third party chargers might differ in supplying the right power, resulting in your laptop charging really slow.

4 Review your ports and cables for damage

It’s good to keep a check and review your power cord thoroughly as a damaged cord could cause the ‘plugged in, not charging’ issue. Look at the power cord for damages or fraying. Also, stop using chargers that get hot too often or have a burning smell.

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June 9th, 2021

Laptop charging and not charging

So your laptop battery is plugged in but not charging. Now what? Most laptop batteries typically last up to four hours on a single charge, but after a few years, they can start to give out. Don't worry; if your laptop no longer holds a charge, there are some simple solutions.

At Asurion, our experts help our 300 million customers (and counting) diagnose and resolve their device problems and get the most out of their favorite tech. Here are their tips for repairing your laptop battery and getting it to charge like it should.

Why is my laptop battery not charging?

Aside from an aging battery, there are two other common reasons your laptop may no longer charge:

The charging cable connection is poor

Asurion Experts frequently come across this issue, and it could be causing trouble for your laptop battery in several ways:

The laptop is overheating or overworked

Your laptop battery creates and expels heat, but it could be getting too hot and no longer functioning or charging normally. Even a newer laptop can overheat sometimes, though it's more often the case with older laptops with aging batteries and weaker cooling systems. Try these tweaks to cool down an overheating laptop.

Watch this short interactive video where an Asurion Expert shows you how to troubleshoot the reason behind your laptop battery not holding a charge.

Steps to fix a laptop battery that won't charge

No matter the make or model of your device, there are several ways to give your battery a boost. Here's what our experts recommend:

1. Turn off your laptop

Turn off your device and wait 30 minutes before you turn it back on. Then connect the charging cable and see if your laptop gets some juice. This can also help your device cool down if it's overheating.

2. Check charging ports, cables, and outlets

3. Remove the battery

Protect your laptop and all of your other favorite home tech with Asurion Home+. For less than $1/day, you'll get fast repairs for your laptop from trusted experts whenever you need them—no matter where you bought it or the brand. To learn more about laptop protection plans, visit asurion.com/homeplus.



*The Asurion® trademarks and logos are the property of Asurion, LLC. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Asurion is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of the respective owners of the other trademarks appearing herein.*

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Laptop charging and not charging

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Plug the laptop into a different power outlet. Unplug the laptop, wait a few minutes, and then plug it into an outlet on a different wall or room. If the laptop charges when connected elsewhere, the problem is not your computer or charger.

  • To confirm whether the laptop is charging, check for charging lights. Many laptops have a light somewhere on the machine that indicates whether it's receiving power. Sometimes it'll be above the keyboard, other times it'll be on the side or back of the unit. If you're using a Mac laptop with a magnetic charging cable, you'll see a light on the end of the cable where it connects to your computer (orange = charging, green = fully charged). Other times you'll find lights on the power cord, especially if there's a "brick" aspect of the cable.
  • If the power adapter works for a little while but then turns off, there may be interference with the outlet. Unplug the power adapter for about 30 seconds and then try again.[1]
  • If the adapter or the computer itself feels unusually warm, wait until the surface has cooled completely before plugging it into a power source.

  • Laptop charging and not charging

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    2

    Inspect the power adapter. Examine the entire length of the power cord for tears, dents, and worn-down insulation. If you notice any flaws, or if the power brick is warped or smells like burnt plastic, the cord is probably faulty.[2] Try bringing the laptop to a local repair shop and ask to try one of their working power adapters. If a verified-to-be-working adapter charges your laptop, order a replacement adapter.

    • If you're using a newer PC model that supports USB-C charging (such as the Huawei MateBook X), make sure your power adapter is plugged into the correct port on the laptop.[3] Usually only one of the USB-C ports on such models support charging, while the other is used only for data transfer.
    • Check your warranty before replacing any parts, as the cost of the adapter may be covered.

    EXPERT TIP

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    3

    Check the power jack on the laptop. When the adapter is connected to your laptop properly, it should not jiggle or fall out of the jack. If the connection feels loose, there could be a bent pin inside the power jack. It's also possible that the entire jack has loosened from the motherboard. Take the laptop to a repair shop for a proper diagnosis.

    • Bent pins and other power jack issues are model-specific. You can look up your model online for repair instructions, but the repair usually requires purchasing a new power jack and soldering it onto the motherboard. This could void your warranty.

  • Laptop charging and not charging

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    4

    Start up your laptop without a battery. Shut down the computer, remove the battery, and plug the computer in. If the laptop wasn't powering on before but works without the battery, you may need a new battery. Another method may fix the problem, or your battery may be dead and require replacement.

    • If your laptop battery is not removable, skip this step and try the methods below before taking your laptop to a computer repair store.

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  • Method 2 Method 2 of 3:Checking Windows Power Settings

    1. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Open your Windows Settings

      Laptop charging and not charging

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      2

      Click Power and Sleep in the left panel. Windows allows you to customize certain power and battery settings on your laptop. There may be a low-battery level alert that's too sensitive causing your PC to shut down when the battery is low.

    2. Laptop charging and not charging

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      3

      Check the values in the "Screen" and "Sleep" menus. In particular, make sure the values of both "When plugged in" menus aren't set too low.

      • For example, under the Sleep header, if 10 minutes is selected from the "When plugged in" menu, the PC will turn off after 10 minutes of inactivity when plugged in. Raise that amount to prevent unexpected shutdowns.

    3. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Scroll down and click Additional power settings. A list of your power plans will appear.

    4. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Click Change plan settings on your current plan. Just as you did in the last area, make sure none of your settings are configured to shut down your PC unexpectedly.

    5. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Click Change advanced power settings. It's near the bottom of the power plan.

      • Once quick way to fix any missteps in this section is to click Restore plan defaults at the bottom-right corner of the dialog, but this will erase any power customizations you've added.

    6. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Check the values of the "Battery" section. If you clicked Restore plan defaults in the previous step, just skip to the next step. Otherwise, verify that the following settings are correct:

      • Under "Critical Battery Action," make sure Do nothing is selected for "Plugged in." Otherwise, your computer will shut down at a certain battery level if it it's plugged into a power source.
      • Under "Low battery action," also select Do nothing for "Plugged in."

    7. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Click OK to save your changes. Now that you've updated your power settings, reboot your PC to see if the issue is resolved. If you're still having trouble, move to the next step.

    8. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Open the Device Manager. You can do this by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager from the menu.

    9. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Click Batteries. A list of all battery-related drivers will appear. You'll usually see one entry for your AC adapter and another for the battery itself.

    10. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Right-click the driver(s) and select Update driver. If you see two different entries under Batteries, do one after the other. Follow any on-screen instructions that appear to update drivers if necessary.

    11. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Restart the computer. Shut down the computer and start it up again, so the driver will take effect.

    12. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Uninstall and reinstall the driver. If you still cannot charge your laptop, return to the Batteries section of Device Manager, right-click Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery, and then select Uninstall. When the process is finished, click the Action menu and select Scan for hardware changes. Restart your computer once the driver is reinstalled.

      • This step requires an internet connection on your laptop.

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    Method 3 Method 3 of 3:Checking Mac Power Settings

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      1

      Check for software updates. Sometimes Apple releases new updates that can help your computer work well with the power adapter.[4] To check for updates, click the Apple menu, select System Preferences, and then choose Update Now if an update is available.

    2. 2

      View your battery health status. To find out the condition of your battery, hold the Option key as you click the battery icon in the menu bar. This displays the Battery Status menu, which will display one of the following status indicators:[5]

      • Normal: The battery is working properly.
      • Replace soon: The battery is working normally, but is no longer at full capacity. This is not time to panic, but you should definitely check the status frequently to make sure it doesn't get worse.
      • Replace now: The battery works normally but its capacity is significantly lower than it was when brand new. You can still use the laptop, just make sure you always have a power cable handy until you can replace the battery.
      • Service Battery: The battery is not working properly. You should still be able to use the computer with a power cord connected, but the battery will likely not work on its own. Bring the computer to the Apple-authorized service provider as soon as possible.

    3. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Check your Energy Saver settings. If your computer is turning off unexpectedly, it may be related to incorrectly-set power settings.[6] In the Apple menu, click System Preferences, select Energy Saver, and then click Power Adapter to see check out what your computer's set to do when plugged in. Make sure the "Turn display off after" slider is not set to sleep after a brief period of inactive time.

    4. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Shut down your Mac. If you're still having trouble, the remaining steps will help you reset the System Management Controller (SMC), which can help resolve power problems.[7] Begin by making sure the computer is turned off and not plugged into a power source.

    5. Laptop charging and not charging

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      5

      Plug the power adapter into the Mac. Don't turn the computer on, just plug it in for now.

    6. Laptop charging and not charging

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      Press and hold Control+ Shift+ Option and the Power button. After holding the buttons down for about 4 seconds, lift your fingers from the keyboard.

    7. Laptop charging and not charging

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      7

      Press the Power button once. This will power your Mac back on. Once it comes back up, the SMC will be reset, hopefully clearing up any residual power issues.

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    • Question

      My charger is plugged in, the light is on and it says 0% available (plugged in, charging) but it's not charging. How can I fix it?

      Laptop charging and not charging

      Warnings

      • Some laptops do not have removable batteries. If your laptop is still covered under warranty, do not attempt to remove the battery yourself; this will void the warranty.

        Thanks!

        Helpful 28 Not Helpful 35

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      References

      1. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204652
      2. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404104,00.asp
      3. https://www.pcmag.com/article/297603/what-to-do-if-your-laptop-is-plugged-in-but-not-charging
      4. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201541
      5. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204054#builtin
      6. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202824
      7. https://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac/macbook-not-charging-3599077

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