How to Fix a Laptop That’s Not Charging When Plugged In

INTRODUCTION: (Complete Guide)

There’s nothing more frustrating than plugging in your laptop and seeing... nothing. No charging light, no battery percentage going up, just a dead or slowly dying machine. Whether you're using your laptop for work, school, or gaming, having it not charge can bring everything to a halt.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common reasons why your laptop won’t charge even when it’s plugged in, and how you can fix it — step by step, even if you're not super tech-savvy.

🔌 1. Double-Check the Basics

Before diving into deep fixes, let’s rule out the simple stuff:

• Check the wall outlet. Plug something else (like a phone charger) into the same outlet. If it doesn’t work, your outlet might be the problem.

• Inspect your power cable and adapter. Look for cuts, bends, or burn marks. Wiggle the cable — if your laptop charges at certain angles, the cable might be faulty.

• Is the charging light on? Many laptops have a tiny LED near the charging port. If it’s not lit up, the issue could be physical or software-related.

Quick Tip: Always use the original charger that came with your laptop, or a certified replacement with the correct voltage.

🔄 2. Try a Power Reset (This Often Works!)

Sometimes the battery and motherboard need a hard reset to reconnect properly. Here's how to do it:

For laptops with removable batteries:

1. Shut down your laptop completely.

2. Unplug the charger.

3. Remove the battery.

4. Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.

5. Reinsert the battery, plug in the charger, and turn it on.

For laptops with non-removable batteries:

1. Shut down and unplug your laptop.

2. Press and hold the power button for 60 seconds.

3. Plug it back in and turn it on.

This simple trick can reset the power flow and fix minor motherboard issues.

🔧 3. Check the Charging Port

Over time, your charging port can get dusty, bent, or loose. Here’s how to inspect it:

• Use a flashlight to look inside the port.

• Blow out any dust using compressed air.

• Make sure the connector inside isn’t bent or broken.

• Gently insert your charger and see if it wiggles — too much play could mean a loose DC jack.

If the port feels loose, you might need a professional to resolder or replace it, especially if it’s attached to the motherboard.

💻 4. Update or Reinstall Battery Drivers (Windows Only)

Sometimes it’s not a hardware problem — your battery driver might be corrupted or outdated.

How to fix it:

1. Press Windows + X, then click Device Manager.

2. Expand the Batteries section.

3. Right-click on Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery and choose Uninstall device.

4. Do the same for the Microsoft AC Adapter.

5. Restart your laptop — Windows will automatically reinstall the correct drivers.

After restarting, check if your laptop starts charging again.

🔋 5. Battery Might Be Dead or Dying

Batteries degrade over time — especially after 2-3 years of regular use. Here’s how to check battery health:

On Windows:

• Press Windows + R, type cmd, then enter:

  powercfg /batteryreport
  

• This generates a report at: C:\Users\[YourName]\battery-report.html

Open the file and check the design capacity vs full charge capacity. If your full charge is less than 50% of the design, it’s time for a new battery.

On macOS:

• Click the Apple logo > About This Mac > System Report > Power.

• Check Cycle Count and Condition. Over 1000 cycles? Time to replace.

🧠 6. BIOS or Firmware Glitch

In rare cases, your BIOS (the basic firmware that controls your motherboard) might be causing battery recognition problems.

To reset or update BIOS:

1. Go to your laptop brand’s official website.

2. Search for your model under Support or Downloads.

3. Find the latest BIOS update and follow their official instructions.

Important: Don’t do this unless you’re confident — a failed BIOS update can brick your laptop. Only update if all else fails and your laptop brand suggests it.

🛠 7. Replace the Faulty Charger or Battery

If you’ve tried everything above, you’re likely dealing with a hardware issue. Here’s how to test:

• Borrow a compatible charger from a friend or tech store. If it works, your charger is bad.

• Try a new battery (if removable). If it charges with the new battery, that is your issue.

You can find affordable OEM chargers and batteries on Amazon or eBay — just make sure they match your laptop model exactly.

⚠️ When to See a Technician

You should consider professional help if:

• The charging port is visibly damaged or loose.

• The motherboard has short-circuited.

• The laptop shows signs of liquid damage (even months after a spill).

• You hear clicking, band-burning smells, or it turns off randomly.

A repair shop can do a deeper diagnostic and fix things that can’t be done at home.

🧼 Bonus Tip: Don’t Let Dust Kill Your Laptop

Overheating can sometimes stop your laptop from charging properly. Use a cooling pad and clean vents regularly with compressed air. Laptops shut down or reduce power intake when internal temperatures rise too much.

🧾 Final Thoughts

A laptop that won’t charge doesn’t always mean it’s dead. Most of the time, the issue is with the charger, battery, or software — and you can fix it yourself with a little time and patience.

Start with the simple steps: check your cable, do a power reset, clean the charging port, and reinstall drivers. If nothing works, then explore battery replacement or visit a technician.

Got your laptop charging again? 🎉 Share this guide with someone who might need it.