How to solve laptop battery not charge issue
Laptop computer batteries eventually need to be replaced, but the notebook battery itself is not the only component that could be at fault. Since laptop batteries can be expensive, it is important to find out why the battery will not take a charge before buying a new replacement battery. The real cause could be quick, simple, and inexpensive to fix, or there could be a serious problem with the computer itself and a new battery is not the solution. Here are several possible causes of a non-charging battery, together with appropriate fixes. These are listed roughly in order of complexity, so it’s a good idea to start at the top and work down.
Problems Plugging In the Laptop, But Laptop Battery Not Charge
It may sound simple, but the first stage of troubleshooting is to make sure the laptop is properly plugged in. There are both obvious and not so obvious reasons why the juice might not be flowing to begin with.
Problem |
Description |
|---|---|
| Not Plugged In | Follow the wire from outlet to computer jack. There are several connection points (more, if extension cords are involved), any one of which could have worked loose. A plug does not have to be completely out in order to be too loose to work. |
| Outlet Not Turned On | Make sure there is power flowing to the outlet. A fuse may have blown, power may be out, or someone could have flipped a wall switch and turned the outlet off. |
| Damaged or Dirty Plug or Jack | Tell-tale symptoms may include the “plugged in, not charging” message, or the computer may take a very long time to charge or even lose Acer as07a31 laptop battery power while indicators say the battery is “charging.” If damaged, the power cord or the power jack will eventually need to be replaced, but propping the plug up on a book so it cannot fall out of alignment can work as a temporary fix. To diagnose a problem with the port, try using a different battery and cord for a while. |
| Damaged Power Cord | The power cord is a wire inside a plastic sheath, and the wire can break with or without damage to the sheath. If the power goes on and off as the cord is moved or bent, the wire is likely broken. Try using a different cord as a test. |
Each of these issues has to do with outlet and power cord issues. Since the outlet and power cord are essential for charging the laptop battery, checking them is the first logical step when experiencing battery problems.
Problems With the Laptop Battery
First of all, check to see if the battery is actually installed correctly. If the battery was removed and then put back in for whatever reason, it could simply be out of place. If the latches did not click closed, the battery is probably loose. Remove it and put it back in properly.
Laptop battery life drops gradually over time, so it is common for a battery to not hold quite as much charge as it could when it was younger. This is not a problem but an inevitability. Likewise, how much power the computer uses will vary according to its settings and what the computer is being asked to do, so even a good battery will not always last as long as expected when used heavily. But batteries do have a limited number of recharges, and eventually batteries get old and die and have to be replaced. Even a new computer can contain an old battery, since batteries can age sitting alone in a warehouse. There are ways to extend battery life, and these vary somewhat depending on the type of battery and the type of computer in question. Batteries can also become damaged. Occasionally, defective batteries are sold; if a battery dies before its time, check to see if it is under warranty or has been recalled.
Batteries that do not need to be replaced can sometimes have problems as well. An extremely depleted battery can sometimes be brought back to life, depending on the battery type and the computer type; check the computer manual. Some people advise letting a Dell studio xps 1645 battery drain completely in order to reset its “memory,” something that may have been useful with the older, nickel-based batteries. A lot of confusion exists on which batteries should be run out completely and which should never be completely run out, so it is important to consult the manual on this as well.
The way to test if a problem is actually the battery is to remove the battery and try running the computer on outlet power alone. If it runs fine, the battery is at fault. If problems persist, the battery may be fine.
Problems With the Laptop AC Adapter
The adapter, which is attached to the power cord, could be damaged or defective. If possible, use a different adapter for a while as a test. The output of the adapter can also be tested using a voltmeter; the proper reading should be on the label of the adapter, and the output should be within 5 percent of the proper reading. Adapters commonly make some noise or get warm to the touch, but an adapter that gets too hot to touch is a sign that either the adapter or the battery is damaged. If the adapter is bad, find out if it’s under warranty or if it has been recalled.
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[…] Laptop computer batteries eventually need to be replaced, but the notebook battery itself is not the only component that could be at fault. Since laptop batteries can be expensive, it is important to find out why the battery will not take a charge before buying a new replacement battery. The real cause could be quick, … […]