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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December 12th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
@ myrna,
I’m not familiar with this netbook, but if the battery is built in there is not much you can do.
You’ll have to use it as is on the AC adapter power or buy a new netbook.
December 10th, 2011 at 7:06 am
i have that problem example no 1..i bought this asusdisneyedition mk90h last year,, but this few weeks,,,i knew that my laptop battery shows the same way in problem 1 ,,but how can i refresh this ,,or reconnecting,,the battery designed as built in,,for d kids porposes what can i do???? what is the possible?? do i need to buy new battery? i need an answer..
December 9th, 2011 at 11:24 am
@ Josh,
If the laptop will not charge two different batteries, most likely this is motherboard related problem.
Yes, there is a chance of bad AC adapter. Maybe it’s not providing enough power to charge the battery but I think this is motherboard issue.
Remove the battery and run the laptop just on AC power. Does it work this way? If yes, probably the adapter is good.
December 9th, 2011 at 11:13 am
Now it wont charge above 0%
December 9th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Josh,
Try this. Unplug the AC adapter and use the laptop on battery power until it discharges completely.
Now plug in the AC adapter and try charging it. Will it go above 91%?
December 9th, 2011 at 12:14 am
Okay so what about this, says charging but it will not go up OR down. It has been stuck at 91% and this is a brand new laptop. They recently sent me out a new battery and the problem still continues, is this a problem with the charger then?
December 7th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
chainrup,
This could be a problem with the battery charging circuit on the motherboard.
Normally, the laptop would run from AC adapter when the battery removed.
Also, I would suggest testing the laptop with another power adapter. Maybe your original adapter failing (not providing enough power to start the laptop and charge the battery).
December 7th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@ Irfan,
Most likely this is battery related problem. Replace the battery.
December 3rd, 2011 at 10:32 pm
my dell latitude e 4300 laptop battery icon shows a cross mark and is not charging my battery. it does not run when i remove the battery from laptop , where as till a day earlier it was giving a backup of 5 hours.
December 3rd, 2011 at 5:38 am
I m using Compaq 420 laptop from last One year, recently I have noticed my battery is charging upto 85% only, what could be the proble, when i unplug charger from laptop and afain pluging battery meter will show for a while it is charging and also battery is discharging very fast. can you please advise the best solution.
REgards/Irfan