Laptop "plugged in, not charging" issue

Ecko

New Member
Messages
1
I'm using a Dell Inspiron laptop that I've had for a little over a year. All of a sudden it stopped charging today and nothing I do seems to work. When I plug the charger in, it works normally for a few seconds, then stops and says "plugged in, not charging" instead of "plugged in, charging". I've tried uninstalling the Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery driver and reinstalling it, but it's just not working. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. If the problem is unsolvable, how do I know if I need to replace the battery or the charger?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
I do not know your system, I never had a Dell PC.
Do you have other Power Managment Utility installed?
At which percentage it Stops?
Try to remove charger from PC and Outlet. Remove Batterie and wait a while before plug-in all again and see if it works.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 bit
Most Dell systems will actually work without the battery inserted, Just the charging cable. which may at least eliminate the battery as a potential issue.

Unfortunately it's often a simple part that causes this type of issue, The actual plug and socket that connects the charger and laptop.

I've seen a lot of laptops fail because the multiple connect/disconnect routine, that is the norm for laptops, exceeds the usage limits of the connector.

If it's the plug on the charger this can be replaced for a few pounds/dollars

The more common is the failure of the socket in the laptop which usually means the complete strip-down of the laptop, removal of the motherboard and repair/replacement of the socket, and rebuild of the laptop. The labour costs for this can often exceed the value of the laptop
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64 x2 Windows 10 Enterprise x64, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computing
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz + 1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal
    Crucial 256GB SSD,
    WDC WD30EZRX-00D8PB0 3TB,
    Toshiba HDWD130 3TB
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)

    NAS
    Seagate ST4000DM000
    PSU
    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
    Case
    AeroCool X-Warrior Devil Red Tower
    Cooling
    Stock CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K710 & K270
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless M710 M185 & M570 Trackball
    Internet Speed
    37Mb/s Down - 9.5Mb/s Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security 2017
    Other Info
    Also run...

    Desktop - 6Core 8GB - Windows 10 Enterprise x64,
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Netbook - Ubuntu
    2 x Nexus 7 Android tablets
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    HTC One Android Smartphone
@Barman58: My Lenovo Z710 indeed work without Battery inserted but the Perfomance is poor. To achieve the Max. Performance I need to have battery inserted AND the power supply must be also connected. I have a Lenovo Power Utility that let´s me maintain the Battery charged only at 60% to prevent agging of it. It is not good for batery to keep it at 100%, removing the Battery for older Laptops was the option to keep longest battery life.
Certainly connector and power adapter could be involved but he says the Laptop is about 1 year old, so I guess that will not be the issue.
Last week, I had big problems with unknow source in my Laptop, beeing very slow, at a time it was shutting down with a noise as if there was a short cut and I could not restart it. Pressing Power Button the light went on for short time and at once going off. I removed Battery wait a little and everything is normal.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 bit
The best way to use a Laptop battery is to fully charge the battery and then take it off charge and use it until there is around 5-10% capacity remaining and then fully recharge.

This was always the best way when batteries developed charge memory, (Ni-Cad), but still helps to properly condition the battery with modern types. It's ok to only do this type of conditioning on a weekly basis rather than all the time but the more the better in my experience.

Your issue suggests an issue with the regulator in the charging circuit - if this "sees" a certain charge in the battery it stops the charging irrespective of what state the battery is actually at

I've seen charging connectors go after very little use, as they are not really fit for purpose, the plugs and sockets are designed for much smaller hardware and cannot handle the regular minor knocks you get in "normal" use
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64 x2 Windows 10 Enterprise x64, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computing
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz + 1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal
    Crucial 256GB SSD,
    WDC WD30EZRX-00D8PB0 3TB,
    Toshiba HDWD130 3TB
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)

    NAS
    Seagate ST4000DM000
    PSU
    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
    Case
    AeroCool X-Warrior Devil Red Tower
    Cooling
    Stock CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K710 & K270
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless M710 M185 & M570 Trackball
    Internet Speed
    37Mb/s Down - 9.5Mb/s Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security 2017
    Other Info
    Also run...

    Desktop - 6Core 8GB - Windows 10 Enterprise x64,
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Netbook - Ubuntu
    2 x Nexus 7 Android tablets
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    HTC One Android Smartphone
Before I bought 2 years ago the Z710 , it was my pratice to complete charge and then re-charge when it was about 5%.
When connect to charger I removed the Battery when it full charged.
Rechargale batteries have a limited charge-discharge cycle and because of this they will go dead with time.
From last knowledge, the best for Ii-Ion batteries is to maintain them around 40%-70% charge, it will achieve the longest life.
Every 3 Months I have to complete a full charge/discharge cycle.
Anyway I am forced to keep my battery in System otherwise it will be slow. System drains power from Battery and from charger at same time.
After 2 years I do not notice any degradation on Battery it is like new.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 bit
Seems a strange system - I've always found it the practice to always power from the battery and trickle charge from the mains to provide a type of battery backup (UPS) for the common use for today's laptops - Desktop replacements

There is of course normally a separation of settings for mains and battery usage which is built into windows and by default is set to lower screen brightness, and performance when on battery to maximise battery life this of course can be overridden to give maximum power at all times (shorter battery life of course)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64 x2 Windows 10 Enterprise x64, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computing
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz + 1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal
    Crucial 256GB SSD,
    WDC WD30EZRX-00D8PB0 3TB,
    Toshiba HDWD130 3TB
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)

    NAS
    Seagate ST4000DM000
    PSU
    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
    Case
    AeroCool X-Warrior Devil Red Tower
    Cooling
    Stock CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K710 & K270
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless M710 M185 & M570 Trackball
    Internet Speed
    37Mb/s Down - 9.5Mb/s Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security 2017
    Other Info
    Also run...

    Desktop - 6Core 8GB - Windows 10 Enterprise x64,
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Netbook - Ubuntu
    2 x Nexus 7 Android tablets
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    HTC One Android Smartphone
Your laptop has a Diagnostics tool build in to BIOS. Run the tool in in BIOS and it will tell you if there is an issue with charging or the battery.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
Back
Top