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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June 21st, 2011 at 4:01 am
my laptop is showing the following error on battery icon with a red cross sign on it.
“(plugged in, not charging), consider replacing your battery.”
i works well on power but shuts down within 5 minutes ion battery
does i really need to replace my bettery or some sort of solution available.
waiting for your reply.
pls mail me the reply as doinf a favour for me. thanks
June 17th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
I plug a wire into my laptopv where the charger normally plugs in , and now my laptop will nott charge when i plug the charger in , its not the charger as it is working in other laptops ?
May 9th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Amanda,
What do you mean by “computer will not work”?
Does it turn on at all? Do you see any lights when AC adapter plugged in? More details please. How it’s failing?
May 7th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
my lap top was charging and my son kick the charger in when it was charging and now the computter won’t work and when i try to charge it won’t charge.
March 1st, 2011 at 8:23 am
phuong to,
Sounds like a virus.
1. Backup your files with an external hard USB hard drive.
http://www.laptoprepair101.com.....enclosure/
2. When you transfer files to another computer, make sure the computer has a good and up to date antivirus software installed. You don’t want infected files on another computer.
3. Reinstall OS on the infected laptop.
March 1st, 2011 at 1:15 am
all software not use(avg,itunes,e-cam,..).when i click it, appear tables file download – security warning and ask do you want save or run this file?
HELP ME!
February 27th, 2011 at 7:04 am
suhail k m,
Are you still using the original factory battery or this it third-party replacement battery?
February 25th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
I have been trying so hard for the past 2 weeks to figure out what is wrong with my battery on my compaq presario cq61. I did everything from removing drives, taking out the battery, etc….but but my 12 yr old son..moved around my ac cord into my laptop and got it into the right spot and it start charging again….it is finally at 100% again!!!! So I have to say its the port or the adaptor. Hope this helps. I thought it was a software problem for so long….
February 25th, 2011 at 8:38 am
I have compaq v9000 and emachines e725 laptops, ther is cross mark on the battey when charger connected. But you know battery was charging
February 21st, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Ankur,
Could be bad AC adapter. Test it with a voltmeter. Make sure the adapter outputs correct voltage.
Could be bad DC jack in the laptop.
What happens if you remove the battery and start the laptop just from AC adapter. Any signs of life at all?