How to Fix a Laptop Battery That Won’t Charge
Is your laptop showing “Plugged in, not charging” even though the charger is connected? This issue can be caused by a faulty adapter, battery settings, driver problems, or even a damaged charging port. In this guide, we’ll cover step-by-step solutions to fix the issue.
1. Perform a Basic Troubleshooting Check
Before diving into advanced fixes, check the basics:
✔ Ensure the charger is plugged in properly to both the laptop and power outlet.
✔ Try a different power socket or power strip.
✔ Inspect the charging cable for fraying or cuts.
✔ If using a removable battery, make sure it's properly seated in its compartment.
🛑 If everything looks fine, proceed to the next steps.
2. Restart Your Laptop
Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary charging glitches.
✔ Unplug the charger from your laptop.
✔ Shut down your laptop completely.
✔ Wait 1–2 minutes, then turn it back on.
✔ Plug in the charger and check if the issue is resolved.
🛑 If the laptop still isn’t charging, move on to battery troubleshooting.
3. Check the Charger and Power Adapter
A faulty charger can prevent power from reaching the laptop.
✔ Inspect the charger for damages or loose connections.
✔ Try using a different compatible charger (borrow from a friend or test at a repair shop).
✔ If using a detachable power adapter, ensure it’s properly connected.
✔ Test the charging brick by plugging it into another laptop (if compatible).
🛑 If the charger works with another laptop, the problem is with your laptop’s battery or charging port.
4. Remove Static Charge (Power Reset)
Static charge buildup can interfere with battery charging.
✔ Turn off the laptop and unplug the charger.
✔ If your laptop has a removable battery, take it out.
✔ Hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge static electricity.
✔ Reinsert the battery, plug in the charger, and turn on the laptop.
🛑 If your laptop has a built-in battery, just hold the power button while unplugged.
5. Update or Reinstall the Battery Drivers
Corrupt battery drivers can cause charging issues.
✔ Right-click on Start Menu and select Device Manager.
✔ Expand Batteries and find Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.
✔ Right-click on it and select Update driver → Choose Search automatically for updated drivers.
✔ If updating doesn’t work, right-click and choose Uninstall device, then restart your laptop.
🛑 Windows will reinstall the driver automatically upon restart.
6. Change Power Settings in Windows
Sometimes, a power management setting might prevent charging.
✔ Open Control Panel and go to Power Options.
✔ Click Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings.
✔ Expand Battery and check:
- Critical battery action → Set to Hibernate or Do nothing.
- Low battery level → Set to at least 20%.
✔ Save changes and restart your laptop.
🛑 If the settings are fine, proceed to check the battery health.
7. Check Battery Health
Over time, batteries lose their ability to hold a charge.
✔ Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
✔ Type powercfg /batteryreport and press Enter.
✔ Locate the battery report (usually stored in C:\Users\YourName\battery-report.html).
✔ Open the file in a browser and check the Design Capacity vs. Full Charge Capacity.
🛑 If your Full Charge Capacity is significantly lower, the battery may need replacement.
8. Try Charging Without the Battery (For Removable Batteries)
If your laptop has a removable battery, test the charger without it.
✔ Turn off the laptop and remove the battery.
✔ Plug the charger directly into the laptop.
✔ If the laptop turns on and works fine, the battery may be faulty.
🛑 If the laptop doesn’t power on, the issue is likely with the charging circuit.
9. Clean the Charging Port
A loose or dusty charging port can prevent proper connection.
✔ Power off the laptop and unplug the charger.
✔ Use a toothpick or compressed air to remove dust from the charging port.
✔ Gently insert and remove the charger to check if it fits securely.
🛑 If the charger is loose, the charging port may need repair.
10. Reset the Battery (BIOS Method)
Some laptops have battery reset functions in the BIOS.
✔ Restart your laptop and enter BIOS (usually by pressing F2, F10, or DEL at startup).
✔ Look for Battery Calibration or Battery Reset in the BIOS menu.
✔ Follow the on-screen instructions and restart your laptop.
🛑 If you don’t see this option, check the manufacturer’s website for a BIOS update.
11. Replace the Battery (If Necessary)
If none of the solutions work, the battery might be dead.
✔ Look for a genuine replacement battery (avoid cheap, third-party batteries).
✔ Search for the battery model number in your laptop manual or manufacturer’s website.
✔ If your laptop has a built-in battery, take it to a professional repair shop.
🛑 Batteries have a lifespan of 2–4 years, after which replacement is necessary.
Final Thoughts
A laptop that’s plugged in but not charging can be frustrating, but by following these troubleshooting steps, you can identify the problem and fix it. If the issue persists, professional repair might be needed.
