In this post I explain how to troubleshoot laptop battery charging problems. I will list most common battery failure examples and suggest some troubleshooting steps.
Example 1.
Laptop detects the battery but shuts off when AC adapter unplugged.
When you move the cursor arrow over the battery icon while the laptop is connected to AC adapter, it show the remaining battery charge and says “charging”.
The batter power meter utility (if available) also shows that battery is connected and charging.
But… as soon as you unplug the AC adapter, the laptop shuts off completely.
Possible problems:
1. The battery not seated correctly. Try reconnecting the battery.
2. The battery contacts got dirty or oxidized and the battery is not making good connection with the motherboard. Try reconnecting the battery a few times.
3. If reconnecting the battery doesn’t help, most likely the battery is bad and has to be replaced.
4. If you replaced the battery but the problem still exists, this is motherboard related failure. Apparently the battery charging circuit has failed. In this case the whole motherboard has to be replaced (or repaired on component level).
Example 2.
The battery not detected by the laptop.
The battery is installed and you know it’s connected correctly but there is a red cross on the battery icon.
If you move the cursor arrow over the battery icon, it says “no battery detected”.
Possible problems:
1. Most likely the battery is bad. You have a very good chance to fix this problem by replacing the battery.
2. If replacing the battery doesn’t help, this is motherboard related failure. The motherboard has to be replaced (or repaired on component level).
Example 3.
The battery discharges very quickly after it reaches some critical point.
The battery detected by the laptop and charges properly to 100%.
When you unplug the AC adapter, it take normal time to discharge until some critical point (let’s say 80%) but after that the battery discharges very quickly to 0%.
Possible problems:
This is battery related failure. The battery is bad and has to be replaced.
Example 4.
The battery charges only if the power plug positioned correctly.
You have to wiggle the power plug in order to charge the battery. After you find the right position, the battery charges properly.
Possible problems:
1. AC adapter failure. The AC adapter power cable is damaged. You can test your AC adapter with a voltmeter.
2. If the AC adapter works fine, most likely this is power jack (connector where you plug power adapter) failure. In this case the power jack has to be replaced.
In some laptop models the power jack is not soldered to the motherboard, it’s attached to a power harness.
In this case, you can unplug the failed power jack from the motherboard and replace it with a new one.
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May 19th, 2013 at 11:14 am
@ hmd,
Most likely it’s either bad battery or there is a problem with the motherboard. If new battery does’t fix the problem, it’s bad motherboard.
May 15th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
hi, there is no power(no happen by push power button) when i only use with battery, but when plug in, my laptop works but on tray at corner in right bottom just show the battery usage however it use from plug in, and no decharge in battery happen.i test battery it was true and there is no problem on software, because Restored to factory delivery time as original window, what should i do?
please help me, thank you.my laptop is sony vpcf13qfx
April 26th, 2013 at 11:00 am
Hey guy’s, could you help me out. I have a Compaq nc6320 and in Jan i bought a replacement battery. I follwed the guildlines to charge and it is a original HP battery. The problem i have is that when it is plugged into the laptop and the AC is conected (whilst using laptop)it discharges. Now when the laptop is closed the battery does charge but the light on the laptop blinks. Also if the battery empties whilst still connected to the mains AC the laptop shuts off (not down). It sounds like the switching between AC and battery is faulty, am i right?? if not what is going on??? and can i do anything myself???
April 15th, 2013 at 12:12 am
I have faced a problem in my laptop that,my laptop battery is charging but signal shows red cross why is it so?I can’t understand it.
April 1st, 2013 at 5:48 pm
@ tomy4395,
Check laptop memory. This could be memory related failure. One of the modules can be bad.
March 27th, 2013 at 2:05 pm
hi
I have problem with VAIO Pcg-71511M.
How I try switch on laptop i see only black screen, hdd working, fan working, 1 light is on (battery) nothing else. what I must doing?
Thanks
March 9th, 2013 at 8:50 am
Hi,
My laptop Dell Inspiron 1464 giving problem like screen turn to white or sequent vibgyor colors and sounds like beetle sometimes. Then it automatically turns off within a minute. When I switch on immediately it works as usually but in Bios mode also fan runs always. My friend suggest that change the processor (core i3). Actually this problem is not often. Pl help to fix this issue.
February 27th, 2013 at 10:55 pm
I HAVE A THOSHIBA LAPTOP.IN THIS,DISPLAY IS GOES TO COLOUR COLOUR(BLURR) WHEN I CONNECT THE CHARGER. BUT,AFTER SHUTDOWN BATTERY GETS CHARGING. PLEASES GIVE THE SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM .
February 27th, 2013 at 6:02 am
I have a Toshiba Satellite Pro C650 Laptop. this laptop fails to charge I don’t know what can be the problem, it gives a message “plugged in, not charging” I have tried different battery I get the same message, different power adaptor same message, I can charge it’s battery on another laptop. what can be the problem?
February 14th, 2013 at 7:54 pm
Hi please,
help me my leptop just opened above the heat sink by the LCD’s rolator and is not letting the LCD move and the LCD keep falling down please Need urgent help there was a screw missing from there but when i put a new one in it,it didn’t hold please need help what should i do ??