Is Your Laptop Not Charging? Here’s What to Check

We’ve all been there—you plug in your laptop expecting to get some work done (or maybe just binge a few episodes), but the battery won’t budge past 5%. No charging icon. No power boost. Just frustration.

The good news? Many charging issues are fixable without needing a new laptop (or even a new battery). Before you panic or book a repair, here are a few easy things you can check first.

✅ Step 1: Start with the Basics

Let’s rule out the obvious stuff first—because more often than not, it is the simple things.

🔌 Is Everything Plugged In Tight?

Double-check that the power adapter is fully plugged into both the wall and your laptop. A loose cable might be all that’s causing the issue.

🔄 Try a Different Wall Outlet

Plug something else (like a lamp or phone charger) into the same outlet to make sure it’s working. Sometimes it’s not your laptop—it’s the wall.

⚡ Skip the Power Bar (Just for Now)

If you’re using a surge protector or power strip, try plugging the adapter directly into the wall. Faulty or overloaded strips can stop power from getting through.

🔋 Using the Right Charger?

Make sure you’re using the original charger or one that’s rated for your laptop’s voltage and wattage. Using a mismatched or low-powered charger can stop charging—or even damage the laptop over time.

🧰 Step 2: Inspect the Adapter and Cable

Next up—the charger itself. It takes a lot of abuse, especially if you’re always on the go.

👀 Look for Damage

Check the whole length of the power cord for fraying, kinks, exposed wires, or melted spots. Don’t forget the ends—especially the part that plugs into the laptop.

🌡️ Feel the Power BrickIs the adapter brick super hot? Any cracks or odd smells? That could mean internal damage, and it’s time to swap it out.

🔁 Test with Another Charger (If You Can)If you’ve got access to a compatible charger (same voltage and plug type), give it a try. If your laptop charges with that one, your original adapter is likely toast.

🔎 Step 3: Check the Laptop’s Charging Port

Sometimes, the issue is where the charger meets the laptop.

💥 Wiggle Test

Does the charger wiggle or feel loose when plugged in? That could be a sign of a worn or damaged charging port.

🧹 Clean the Port Carefully

Dust, lint, or debris can build up inside the charging port—especially if you carry your laptop in a bag. With the laptop off and unplugged, shine a flashlight inside. Use compressed air or a wooden toothpick to gently remove any gunk.

🚫 Bent Pins?

If you see any bent or broken pins in the port, stop right there. That’ll likely need professional repair.

🔋 Step 4: Try Removing the Battery (If It’s Removable)

Older laptops with removable batteries give you one more easy way to test the problem.

🔧 How to Test

Power off the laptop and unplug it.
Remove the battery (if possible).
Plug the charger in and try powering the laptop on.

✅ If it powers on without the battery, the battery is likely faulty.❌ If it doesn’t power on, it could be the charger or the motherboard.

⚠️ Note: Most modern laptops have internal batteries. If that’s your situation, don’t try to open the laptop yourself unless you’re confident—otherwise, let the pros handle it.

💻 Step 5: Rule Out a Software Glitch

Yes, software can mess with charging, too.

🔁 Restart the Laptop

Sometimes, a simple reboot clears power management bugs.

🧩 Check Battery Drivers (Windows)

Press Windows + X → open Device Manager
Expand Batteries
Right-click Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery
Choose Uninstall device
Restart the laptop—Windows will reinstall the driver

🔄 Update the BIOS (Advanced Users Only)

In rare cases, an outdated BIOS can cause power issues. Visit your laptop manufacturer’s support site for BIOS updates—but be careful. A failed BIOS update can cause bigger problems.

🛠️ Still No Luck? Let Us Help

If you’ve tried all of the above and your laptop still won’t charge, don’t worry—A.S. Computer Solutions is just down the road.

We can:

Diagnose power issues quickly and accurately
Replace faulty charging ports or batteries
Provide safe, compatible charger replacements
Help with tricky software and BIOS updates

🏡 Friendly. Local. Reliable.

At AS Computer Solutions in Onoway, we specialize in honest advice, fair pricing, and no-nonsense tech repairs. Whether it’s a faulty battery or a hidden hardware issue, we’ll help you figure it out—without pressure to replace your whole system.

Call, click, or stop by today:

📞 (780) 967 0215

🌐 www.ascomputersolutions.ca

📍 Onoway, Alberta

📧 [email protected]