Laptop Battery Not Charging How to fix it (Beginner friendly)
If your laptop won’t charge, don’t panic. This guide walks you through clear, practical steps from simple checks to deeper troubleshooting with plain language and examples so you can try fixes yourself or gather the right info before visiting a service center.
Quick checks (do these first)
- Is the charger plugged into power and the laptop? Sounds basic but it happens. Try another wall outlet.
- Check the charger for visible damage (frayed cable, bent pins). If available, test with a known good charger compatible with your laptop.
- Is the charging LED on the laptop or charger on? Some laptops show battery icons only inside the OS watch the LED behavior while plugging/unplugging.
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Want a full walk-through? Scroll to the FAQ below or click the card.
Step by step troubleshooting
1. Inspect the charger and port
Example: if your charger has a LED and it doesn’t turn on, the adapter may be faulty. If pins look bent inside the laptop port, that can prevent charging stop using it and seek repair.
2. Soft reset the laptop
Shut down, unplug the charger, hold the power button for 15 to 30 seconds to discharge residual power this is safe . Plug charger back and boot. This resets some internal controllers.
3. Check battery and power settings
Windows: open Settings → System → Power & battery. Look for messages like “Plugged in, not charging.” macOS: click the battery icon and inspect battery health.
4. Try a different charger (if possible)
Use a compatible spare or borrow one. If it charges, your original adapter is the issue. Example: many newer laptops use USB C PD ensuring correct wattage matters (e.g., a 65W adapter may not charge a 100W laptop under heavy load).
5. Update firmware and drivers
Sometimes the battery controller firmware or OS power drivers cause issues. Check the laptop manufacturer’s support site for BIOS firmware updates and installation instructions.
6. Battery health & replacement
Over time batteries lose capacity and may fail to charge. If the battery is removable, power on with charger and remove the battery if it runs fine on AC power, the battery likely needs replacement.
Why is “Plugged in, not charging” shown?
This can be due to: insufficient charger wattage, battery calibration issues, battery protection mode some laptops stop charging when battery is above a set threshold, or failing battery hardware.
Is it safe to keep using the laptop on AC power?
Generally yes, but if the battery is swollen or the laptop becomes hot, power down and seek repair swollen batteries are dangerous.
Safety tips & when to seek professional help
- Stop using the laptop if the battery is swollen, hot, or leaking.
- If you smell burning or see smoke unplug, move to a safe area, and get professional help.
- Battery replacement is often cheaper than motherboard repair; choose authorized service if under warranty to avoid voiding it.
Quick checklist before you visit a repair shop
Bring the checklist and explain the exact symptoms to the technician — it helps them diagnose faster.
