Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Laptop repeatedly not charging when plugged in.

Feb 29, 2016 1:19AM PST

ok I've had this problem for a few months now, about once a month I'll be on my laptop and and it'll go into power saving mode (dimmer screen, keyboard lights turn off, etc.) like when my laptop isn't plugged in. On the battery icon it's also reading that it isn't plugged in. So, to fix this I turn off my laptop, unplug the battery, and hold down the power button for 30 seconds, then plug everything back in. This works and everything goes back to normal for about 3-4 weeks then I have to do it all over again. My question; is there a way to fix from having to do this every few weeks? Is it a problem with my chord? Battery? or, am I doomed to repeat this until my laptop eventually dies?
My laptop is an Alienware 17, brought brand new in Oct. of 2013. It's running 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate. it has an Intel Core i7-4800MQ @ 2.7GHz. If you need any more info please let me know.
Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
There are about 3 parts to battery systems in laptops.
Feb 29, 2016 8:09AM PST

You have the battery, charger and the mainboard.

What many don't realize is the battery is 300 cycle rated so if a person ran the machine on battery they could exceed its rating in one year. You have a machine that is years old so the battery is suspect. I'd start with a new battery first then a new charger. If it's the mainboard get estimates.

But if it's not saying plugged in, in your case I'd try a new charger first.

- Collapse -
Mostly ran off of the charger
Feb 29, 2016 11:00AM PST

I rarely just run my laptop with the battery. I have it set to desktop mode and constantly have it plugged in. I was suspecting the cord at first, this is my second cord, the connection between the plug for the laptop and the wire are really weak and is starting to look like it did when I had to replace it the first time. Also when it went out before it just wouldn't charge my battery, I could still run my laptop on it and it would read as being plugged in not charging. I even tried my old cord to see if it would work like that but it's just the same as the newer one, won't read as being plugged in at all. I just thought it was odd that if it was my cord, why would I have to do the power surge troubleshoot to get it to work again? So, I guess I'll get a new cord again and start from there.

- Collapse -
I don't see where I noted anything about power surge.
Feb 29, 2016 11:43AM PST

Also I wrote about the charger. If you are replacing cords, Dells have a third wire that sometimes fails. I never repair the cords unless it's superficial. Liability issues and such.

- Collapse -
I was talking about what I do to make it work again.
Feb 29, 2016 10:03PM PST

I don't know what it's called where you unplug everything and hold the power button down, I just call it the power surge troubleshoot.

- Collapse -
I know that reset.
Mar 1, 2016 7:04AM PST

First time I heard it called that. It's saved many from a visit to the service counter.

- Collapse -
Answer
Same original battery?
Feb 29, 2016 10:27AM PST

You stated its a 3-yr. old laptop, are you still using the same battery that came with it? If yes, then you maybe getting the battery starting to falter and will fail outright or become weaker and weaker. That said, it will always need charging and that may cause the charger to overheat(heat stress surrounding area) or react adversely because its being tasked too much. Your laptop is also IMHO, probably pushing things into a demanding setup being Alienware based, more so if you're a gamer. Add it all up and its time to buy a battery and do it soon. Also, if you decide to get a battery don't buy cheap, buy from a reliable vendor and maybe get a more cell(s) to increase uptime.

tada -----Willy Happy

- Collapse -
Yes
Feb 29, 2016 11:05AM PST

Yeah, I still have the original battery, but like I told R. Proffitt I rarely use the battery, I just set it to desktop mode and constantly leave it plugged in.