If your laptop is connected to a charger but won’t charge, there are a few things you can try before taking it in for service.
Check the cables
Before we start with more complex solutions, it pays to do basic things, writes Makeuseof, reports tportal.hr.
Make sure all cables are firmly connected to the computer input. After that, check if the charger is connected to the outlet – try disconnecting it and connecting it to another.
If the charger is connected to a multiple extension outlet, try connecting it directly to the wall outlet. Then don’t forget to check whether the connection of the cable to the ‘brick’ of the charger is tight. Finally, the wrong battery percentage in Windows 10 can also play a big role in this.
Remove the battery
After that, check if the problem is in the battery. If the laptop has a replaceable battery, disconnect it. If you’re not sure, check your computer’s manual. Before removing the battery, turn off the computer completely and then disconnect the charger and all other accessories.
After removing the battery, press the power button for a few seconds to drain the power from the system, connect the charger to the computer and start it. If the laptop works without a battery, then the problem is with the battery.
Then ensure that the entrance is clean for her by removing all impurities with a clean cloth. After that, insert the battery and make sure that all the contacts are in the right place. If this does not solve the problem, you probably need to replace the battery.
In case the laptop doesn’t have a replaceable battery, you can always open it up and remove it the ‘hard way’, but this will void the warranty and even damage it.
If you have this type of laptop, be sure to take it to a professional who will analyze the battery using professional tools and determine if you need a replacement.
Make sure you are using the correct charger and the correct input
Make sure you’re getting enough power into your laptop by making sure you’ve connected its official charger to the device and that it’s plugged into the right input. Newer computers charge via USB-C ports, which doesn’t mean you can plug a charger into any of them.
Some of them may be designed for data transfer, but most laptops with different types of USB C have a charging icon next to the designated port.
If the icon is not there, try connecting the charger to all USB-C ports and check which one starts charging the battery.
As we have already emphasized, you will get the best results if you use the official charger that came with the laptop. Replacement chargers can damage the computer, especially in the case of the USB-C port.
Also consider the power source your computer is plugged into. If the laptop is connected to an external battery or a low-power source such as an airplane, it may not be getting enough power to charge the battery.
In this case, you may be able to keep the battery level stable, but it will not be able to be charged due to consumption.
Check for damage
Even if you checked the cables in one of the previous steps, it’s time to do it in detail. A damaged cable may be the cause of the problem.
Check the entire length of the wire for damage. Pick it up and see if any of its parts are protruding or damaged in some way.
It would also not be a bad idea to smell the charger adapter – if you smell burning, something is wrong with the box itself and the charger needs to be replaced. For your safety, immediately stop using chargers that overheat or smell of burning.
Finally, check the charging ports on the laptop – they should have a solid connection with the cable – if they wiggle, twist the wire until you get a connection.
Also check for debris in the inlet. For this, use the flash of your smartphone or a flashlight. If you find debris in the USB-C port, clean it with a toothpick, being careful not to damage the input.
Reduce resource consumption
There is a chance that the laptop battery is not charging because it is consuming more power than it is getting from charging. For example, if the PC overheats, the fan turns on to cool it down, which consumes more battery.
When you have a lot of demanding programs running, they drain your battery faster. To check this, in Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc in the Task Manager, then click More details and then Processes.
If you think this is the cause of your problems, close some programs and preferably shut down the PC to cool it down.
Upgrade or reinstall the battery drivers
Given that the battery is an external device, Windows uses drivers for it. If the PC is connected to the power supply and does not charge, it is possible that the problem is in the drivers.
Right-click Start or press Win+X and then select Device Manager. Expand the Batteries section and you will see two items: Microsoft AC Adapter and Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.
Click on each item and select Update driver. You can try to upgrade manually if the laptop manufacturer has a battery management tool.
If the upgrade doesn’t do anything, right-click on the battery drivers and uninstall them. This will force the computer to stop communicating with the battery, but after a reboot the driver will come back. Restart your PC after uninstalling the drivers.
Windows will reinstall the battery drivers after boot and, with luck, will start charging again. If this does not help, repeat the process, but after uninstalling the software – disconnect the charger and remove the battery. Afterwards, return everything to the PC and try again.
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