How to fix Windows laptop plugged in but not charging

If your laptop’s all plugged in but the battery won’t charge, no worries – we’ve got your back. Let’s dive into the fix. First off, give your power adapter and cable a once-over – just to rule out any hiccups there. And hey, if your laptop’s one of those USB-C charging cables, make sure you’ve got the right USB-C slot lined up.

Feeling a bit frustrated when your laptop battery is down but won’t charge? Yeah, we get it. It’s a real bummer when your computer’s tapping out due to battery blues. But hold up – more often than not, there’s a reason behind the whole “plugged in, not charging” charade. And guess what? You can totally work it out. For a similar article, read our comprehensive post on How to Check Your Laptop Storage Disk Type in Windows.

We’re here to walk you through the drill for those times when your laptop’s stubborn and refuses to charge while connected to the charger. Whether you use a Dell, Lenovo, HP, or any other laptop, our advice is primed to save the day. We’re leaning into Windows 10 and 11, but don’t sweat it – these insights play nice with macOS and Linux laptops too.

Fix 1: Make sure you’re really plugged in

It might come across as one of those seemingly obvious inquiries that IT departments kick off their troubleshooting rounds with, but don’t dismiss its importance. Take a moment to ensure that you’re truly closing the loop here – confirm that the cable is snugly plugged into both your laptop and the power adapter, which, in turn, should be firmly connected to the wall socket.

Also, pay attention to the connection between the laptop end of the cable and the power adapter itself. Additionally, double-check if the wall outlet you’re utilizing is linked to a wall switch. In some households, specific outlets can be activated or deactivated using a wall switch, potentially leading to an interruption in the power supply to your laptop.

Fix 2: Use the right laptop power adapter

Another prevalent issue arises from using an incompatible power adapter. It’s imperative to note that not all power bricks possess the capability to provide sufficient power to charge your laptop. Thus, merely possessing an adapter with a USB-C cord doesn’t necessarily equate to universal compatibility with all USB-C laptops. Chargers with lower wattage might manage to sustain your battery’s charge to a certain extent during active use.

However, they will either charge extremely sluggishly or not at all when the laptop is powered off. To circumvent this, opt for the charger that was specifically designed for your laptop rather than opting for a conveniently accessible alternative. For a similar article, read our comprehensive Troubleshooting Guide: Windows Firewall Not Enabling on Your Laptop.

Fix 3: Remove the Battery and Connect to Power

Moving forward, the next course of action involves assessing the functionality of your laptop’s battery. If your laptop boasts a detachable battery, proceed by completely dislodging it from your device. Usually, this can be achieved by manipulating a series of tabs situated on the underside of your laptop. If you’re uncertain about the procedure, consulting your manual or searching for model-specific instructions via a quick Google search would be prudent.

Prior to removing the battery, it’s crucial to power down your computer (unless it’s already drained). Additionally, unplug the charger and any connected peripherals to ensure a seamless process.

Once the battery has been disengaged, press and hold the power button for a brief period to discharge any residual energy within the system. Subsequently, reattach the charger and attempt to power on your laptop.

Should your laptop function seamlessly sans the battery, then the root cause of your charging issue likely lies within the battery itself. Take a moment to inspect the cleanliness of the battery compartment; use a lint-free cloth to eradicate any foreign particles if necessary. Next, reinsert the battery into its designated slot, ensuring that all contact points align accurately. If these measures fall short of rectifying the issue, it’s probable that your battery has reached the end of its life cycle and necessitates replacement.

For laptops lacking a removable battery, exploring the option of self-removal is viable. However, bear in mind that this act may void your warranty and potentially lead to inadvertent damage to your computer if executed incorrectly. In such scenarios, opting to consult a professional technician armed with specialized tools offers a safer avenue. This professional can competently evaluate the battery’s condition and subsequently provide recommendations for replacement or alternative solutions.

Fix 4: Allow the laptop and adapter to cool off

No success yet? It’s time for a cooling-off period. Give your laptop and adapter some breathing room. Shut down your laptop entirely and allow it to normalize to the room’s temperature, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight. Similarly, detach the power adapter from both the wall socket and the laptop and grant it some cooling time too. Once both elements have regained their equilibrium with the ambient temperature, reattempt the charging process. If either component had experienced excessive heat, it might have compromised its charging capacity.

Fix 5: Reduce laptop Resource Usage

The scenario where your laptop remains unplugged despite being connected might not always be hardware-related. Sometimes, the issue can stem from software factors. When your computer operates under significant strain, your charger might not be able to replenish the battery’s charge at an optimal pace.

Consider this: when your laptop works intensively and heats up, the cooling fan works harder, subsequently drawing more power from the battery. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced when resource-intensive programs and processes are concurrently active, leading to a faster depletion of battery power.

If you’re on a Windows system, access the Task Manager either by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or by searching for it via the Start menu. Once opened, click on “More details” if required, then navigate to the “Processes” tab to gauge current resource consumption.

If suspicions arise that this resource-intensive behaviour is contributing to your charging issue, consider closing some of the active programs. In extreme scenarios, it might be necessary to shut down your laptop temporarily to facilitate cooling. Once the temperature normalizes, power on your laptop and observe if your charger effectively maintains the battery’s charge under standard usage conditions.

If your laptop routinely struggles to accommodate your usual workload, it could be prudent to contemplate upgrading to a more robust machine when circumstances allow. Furthermore, ensure that your laptop’s ventilation isn’t compromised by obstructed vents, as proper airflow is pivotal to preventing overheating.

Fix 6: Update your drivers

The need for a software update might be a contributing factor in resolving this issue. A quick check for potential driver updates could potentially restore your laptop’s charging functionality.

For Windows users, initiate the process by clicking on the Start button and typing “device.” Once “Device Manager” emerges in the search results, select it. Proceed to expand the “Batteries” entry and right-click on “Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery.” From the ensuing dropdown menu, opt for “Update Driver,” followed by selecting “Search automatically for drivers.” If an update is available, install it and proceed to restart your laptop. Subsequently, attempt to charge your battery anew to determine if this step rectified the issue.

If you’re a Mac user, start by shutting down your laptop while keeping the power adapter connected. Then, hold down the power button while simultaneously pressing Shift + CTRL + Option. Once all the keys have been released, proceed to power your laptop back on. Monitor the situation to gauge if this manoeuvre has successfully resolved the issue at hand.

Fix 7: Try using Another Laptop Charger

Now, having exhausted the array of cost-free solutions to address the “plugged in, not charging” predicament, let’s explore the final recourse. This involves procuring a new laptop charger, either through purchase or borrowing one from a friend who employs a laptop compatible with the same charger model.

While the marketplace offers a spectrum of budget-friendly third-party chargers available on platforms like Amazon and various retailers, we emphasize the preference for employing an authentic charger, if feasible. It’s crucial to acknowledge that third-party components may not meet the stringent quality benchmarks set by genuine components. Specifically in the case of chargers, opting for an inexpensive alternative could potentially jeopardize your laptop’s functionality or, in extreme cases, pose fire hazards.

Should the avenue of acquiring an authentic charger be unviable, consider selecting a charger replacement with a positive reputation from reliable sources like Amazon. Carefully scrutinize user reviews to ascertain their safety and authenticity, all while remaining vigilant against manipulated or counterfeit reviews that might be present on lesser-known products.

Prior to your charger acquisition, consistently verify that the charger’s power rating aligns with your laptop’s power requirements. This information can be cross-referenced with the specifications listed on the official charger or the manufacturer’s accompanying documentation. Adhering to these guidelines guarantees a well-matched and safe charger selection for your laptop.