Why does my laptop say “plugged in, not charging ? 2025
Most likely you are using an adapter that did not come with that laptop and it is of a lower amperage than what is needed to be able to charge the battery and run the computer. If you turn it off and leave it plugged in overnight and when you come back it is fully charged this is most certainly the case.
In some cases, even if the aftermarket adapter does provide enough amperage, it still might not work because the laptop has a proprietary charger. The motherboard actually sends communication signals across the power cable to the adapter and if it does not get a response from a small chip on the adapter, it will not charge.
Remove Battery: If your laptop is actually plugged in and yet it is still not charging, the battery might be the culprit. If so, learn about its integrity. If it’s removable, take it out and press (and hold down) the power button for around 15 seconds. … And then plug in your laptop’s power cable and turn the device on.
IMO this should be illegal but it is allowed. Proprietary chargers can get up sometimes and even if it is the right charger, the chip gets fried and even though it works just fine with any other device with the same voltage/amperage requirements, it becomes worthless for the laptop it was designed for.
Difference between iPhone 6 and 6s
If your laptop is actually plugged in and yet it is still not charging, the battery might be the culprit. If your laptop turns on properly, it means your power adapter is also working properly. And therefore, the problem is with your battery. It’s possible that you’re dealing with a bum battery.
The “Plugged In, Not Charging” status you see when you mouse over the battery icon in the Windows taskbar indicates that the AC adapter is plugged in to run the computer, but the battery isn’t charging. … However, you can charge the battery again.
If your device is plugged in but not charging, you can try these steps:
- Check the connection: Make sure the power cord is securely plugged into the device and the wall outlet. If the device has multiple ports, ensure you’re using the correct one.
- Check the power cord: Look for any damage, such as kinks, breaks, or discoloration. You can also try using a different cable or power adapter.
- Check the charging port: Clean any dust or debris from the charging port with compressed air or a soft brush.
- Check the battery: If possible, remove the battery and plug in just the power adapter to see if the device charges. If it does, the battery may need to be replaced.
- Check the power management settings: Make sure the “Critical battery action” and “Low battery action” settings aren’t set to shut down or sleep when plugged in.
- Check the outlet: Test the outlet with another device to confirm it’s working.
- Update drivers: Outdated drivers can sometimes cause charging issues.
- Cool down the device: Overheating can prevent a device from charging.
- Restore the device: If the issue started after a Windows update, you can try restoring the device to a point before the issue started.
If none of these steps work, you can try consulting a professional.
How do you fix plugged in not charging?
- Right-click on each item and choose Uninstall device.
- Shut down your laptop.
- Unplug the power cable from your laptop.
- If your laptop has a removable battery, remove it.
- Put the battery back in if you removed it.
- Plugin your laptop.
- Power on your laptop.
Trying to performing a power reset can fix some unknown issues that cause the problem of computer plugged in not charging on Windows 10. … Shut down your laptop, unplug the charger and remove the battery. Press and hold the power button for 15 to 30 seconds. Put the battery back in and plug in the AC adapter.
If your laptop says “plugged in, not charging,” here are some steps to troubleshoot the issue:
1. Check the Power Adapter
- Inspect the Cable: Look for any visible damage to the power cord.
- Connection: Ensure that the power adapter is securely connected to both the laptop and the wall outlet.
2. Try a Different Outlet
- Plug the charger into a different wall outlet to rule out a faulty socket.
3. Remove the Battery (if possible)
- If your laptop has a removable battery, take it out.
- With the battery removed, hold the power button for about 15 seconds to discharge residual power.
- Reinsert the battery and plug in the charger.
4. Update Battery Drivers
- Device Manager: Go to Device Manager (right-click on Start menu) and look for “Batteries.”
- Right-click on “Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery” and choose “Update Driver.”
5. Calibrate the Battery
- Let the laptop run on battery until it fully discharges, then charge it back to 100% without interruptions.
6. Check for Overheating
- Ensure that the laptop vents are not blocked and that it isn’t overheating, which can affect charging.
7. Inspect Power Settings
- Go to your laptop’s power settings and ensure that there are no restrictions on charging.
8. Consider Hardware Issues
- If none of the above steps work, there might be a problem with the battery or charging port. Consider consulting a technician.
Conclusion
Start with the simplest checks and progress to the more involved solutions. If you need more detailed guidance on any step, feel free to ask!
How do you fix plugged in but not charging?
How to fix a laptop that won’t charge
- Check all physical connections. …
- Verify you’re using the correct charging port. …
- Inspect your power cord and adapter. …
- Remove the battery (if possible) …
- Update or reinstall the battery driver. …
- Check power management settings. …
- Run the power troubleshooter. …
- Check your battery health.
Why does it say my charger is plugged in but not charging?
Your charging cable could be loose, unplugged, or damaged. Your charging cable could have a weak connection because it wasn’t made by your laptop’s manufacturer. Your charging ports could be clogged with dirt or debris that is keeping it from powering up properly. A laptop tune-up and thorough cleaning can help.
If your laptop says “plugged in, not charging,” it can be due to several reasons. Here are some common causes:
1. Power Adapter Issues
- Faulty Charger: The charger might be damaged or malfunctioning.
- Incorrect Wattage: Using a charger that doesn’t provide sufficient power for your laptop can cause this issue.
2. Battery Problems
- Old or Failing Battery: If the battery is worn out, it may not hold a charge.
- Battery Calibration Needed: Sometimes, the battery may need recalibration.
3. Connection Issues
- Loose Connections: Ensure the charger is firmly connected to both the laptop and the power outlet.
- Port Damage: Check the charging port for debris or damage.
4. Overheating
- Thermal Management: Laptops may stop charging if they’re too hot to protect the hardware.
5. Software Issues
- Driver Problems: Outdated or corrupted battery drivers can cause charging issues.
- Power Settings: Some power settings might restrict charging to preserve battery lifespan.
6. Battery Health Monitoring
- Battery Protection Features: Some laptops have built-in features that prevent charging when the battery reaches a certain health threshold.
Conclusion
Start by checking the charger and connections, then consider battery health and software issues. If the problem persists, it may require professional assessment. If you have any specific questions or need further help, feel free to ask!
Why does my laptop say “plugged in, not charging”?
Here are chances of what will be the problem
- 50% battery problem so you have to change it.
- 30% the charger is not working properly so you have to change it.
- 15% there is dust among the battery connecter and the laptop connectors, so you have to remove the battery and clean the connectors by dry brush carefully and put it again.
- 5% there is a problem with the power supply, so you have to disassemble the laptop and change this part.
Three reasons come to mind…
- The battery is charged enough and the system tolerances set so that if a battery is at a certain capacity or above, (say 95% charged), charging is discontinued as the battery is full enough and charging would be inefficient.
- Certain laptop models have a keystroke combination that disables charging altogether if a user chooses to disable it because the laptop is plugged in most of the time and the user is worried about burning up the battery due to overcharging. I have seen this turned on more times than I can think, almost always by accident and the user has no idea this option is even built into the devices. The result is exactly what you are seeing.
- The battery has dead cells or is no longer taking a charge properly, so charging is disabled and only the AC power is allowed to run what is needed at that time for the computer to work.
Why does my laptop say “plugged in, not charging”?
There can be several reasons for this problem.
- Faulty Laptop battery charger.
- Outdated battery drivers.
- Too old battery Or a faulty one.
- Latest windows updates.
- Loose connections that don’t let the battery get charged.
- You don’t know which one of these can be the reason of this problem.
I bought a new battery and was even going to throw out my laptop. Then I came to know about a few tricks to fix this problem.
Why does my laptop say, plugged in not charging?
You can try these too:-
It may be confusing for you to read and apply all the instruction here, So, I suggest you watch this video tutorial to fix this problem:
Common causes of the error plugged in not charging can be because of the following:
- Faulty charger. Some chargers supply power to charge the battery separately for the power to run the laptop. If the charger cable is damaged it may be that it supply’s power to run the laptop but not charge the battery.
- The dc power plug on the laptop is damaged. This can cause problems in delivering power to the battery.
- The battery is old or has been deleted. Batteries like the ones found in laptops and cellphones have a limited number of recharges before they become unable to charge. This is usually around 300-400 charge cycles.
- A problem with the laptops motherboard/charging circuitry.
Most likely if the computer is just over a year old it is the battery or the charger. I would recommend that you purchase a replacement battery from a trusted source.
Either directly from gateway or battery’s plus or batteries warehouse. I caution against using cheap batteries as they will not typically perform well or could be missing the protection circuitry needed.
How to fix an HP laptop that won’t charge
It’s finally time to take the troubleshooting into your own hands. With these 8 tips, you may be able to save yourself a trip to the repair shop or a phone call to your PC manufacturer.
1. Check to see if you’re plugged in
It may sound ridiculous, but it pays to check if your laptop and charger are actually plugged in. There’s no hope in charging a laptop that is disconnected from a power source, so be sure to double-check that everything is hooked up as it should be. Look at each contact point, from the outlet to the AC adapter, the adapter to your laptop port.
Everything should be tightly plugged with minimal wiggle room. Don’t forget to check the bottom side of your laptop to make sure the battery is firmly seated into the PC frame. You’ll want to make sure that the problem isn’t the outlet itself. Blown fuses are common, so be sure to test out another outlet or reset the surge protector after confirming all contact points are intact.
2. Confirm you’re using the correct port
Modern computers are changing more rapidly today than ever before. The birth of the USB-C port has been a pivotal one that is now featured on the vast majority of the latest laptop computers. These ultra-thin ports are great for ultra-thin computers, though newcomers to the port may be confused about their multi-purpose functionality.
Computers that come with two USB-C ports likely have particular functionality designations that you may not know about. Generally speaking, one USB-C port is meant for charging, the other is meant for data transfer. If your laptop charger is plugged into the data-transfer port rather than the charging port, no charging will occur. Be sure your cords are living in their designated spots before blaming the hardware.
3. Remove the battery
If your laptop comes with a removable battery, follow these steps:
- Step 1. Remove any bolts or screws and take out the battery
- Step 2. Hold the power button down for 10-15 seconds
- Step 3. Plug the charger in
- Step 4. Power the PC on
If your laptop turns on without a problem, you can safely assume that it is not your charger at fault, but a damaged battery that is causing your PC headache. To confirm this theory, you can always re-install the battery and try booting up again. If your laptop does not have a removable battery, you may need to see a professional specialist who can open up your hardware and run a diagnosis.
4. Examine your power cords for any breaks or unusual bending
Power cords are tiny, flimsy, and incredibly sensitive PC tools that very well may be the cause behind your laptop not charging while it’s plugged in. Examine your power cords by feeling along the length of the cord for any atypical bends, breaks, or warped flexing that may indicate physical damage. If you discover that your card has been bent out of shape from a hungry pet or a ferocious vacuum cleaner, replacing the affected end of the power cord will be your easiest fix.
5. Update your drivers
Sometimes all your PC needs is a swift re-up on driver updates to be restored back to its original health. Follow these steps to update your Windows 10 laptop’s battery drivers.
- Step 1. Right-click the Start menu to open the Quick Access menu and select Device Manager
- Step 2. Under Batteries, open the drop-down menu and right-click Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method BatteryStep
- 3. Within the new selection window, press Update Driver
Windows will ask you, “How do you want to search for drivers?” and you’ll have the option to let Windows search automatically or browse your PC manually for the appropriate software. Once updated, reboot your PC and try charging again.
6. Survey the health of your charging port
Plugging your AC adapter into the laptop’s power connector should be a straightforward and snug experience. Should you face any difficulty, be it dust build-up or a wobbly fit, your problem likely lies in the fact that you’re unable to make a secure connection from your adapter to your computer.
If your PC jack is dirtied with dust and debris, try cleaning out your AC power port with a toothpick or with compressed air. If your connector points are wobbly, your problem may be a bit more serious. This could be an indicator that your power jack has been broken from the inside of the chassis. To fix this, head to a computer repair shop for a cheap, easy solution.
7. Let your PC cool down
Batteries generate heat while working hard to power your laptop, but when it works too hard, overheating can cause a serious slew of problems. Rising battery temperatures may lead to sensor misfires which ultimately communicate to your system that the battery is either fully charged or missing.
If your laptop feels more like a furnace while plugged in, place it on a cool, open surface with nothing blocking the fans and let it cool down. Once it’s completely settled and cool to the touch, try charging it up again.
8. Seek professional assistance
When you’ve exhausted all of your options and you’ve tried every troubleshooting tip and trick, your next best bet will be seeking professional assistance. At the end of the day, computers are incredibly complex pieces of machinery and sometimes require a professional touch when it comes to fixing and configuring.
Dell battery not charging
A portable system shows “plugged in not charging” when you hover over the battery icon. The system will also charge outside of windows (in the system BIOS, F2 on Boot Up) (Figure 1).
Figure 1
NOTE: Check to see if there is a hotkey to disable the battery. Some systems have an option on the keyboard {Example (Fn+F2)} that will disable charging. Should your system have this option, use it to enable charging.
Troubleshooting Steps
Ensure that the AC adapter connected to the system meets the minimum wattage for the system to charge the battery. Many high end systems require higher capacity AC adapters than low and mid-range systems. (90 watt for basic & midrange systems, 150 / 180 / 210 watt for select high end systems.)
Also systems docked in E-Port series replicators need the AC adapter that was paired with the E-port as they are a higher capacity based on the additional power requirements of the port replicator. (130 watt for basic systems, 210 / 240 watt for high end ones.)
- Check system power connection.
- Check the DC port for dust or debris. Blowing into the port or using a can of air could allow for better contact resolving the issue.
- Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery listing (Figure 2).
- Click Start and type device in the search field, then select Device Manager.
- Expand the Batteries category.
- Under the Batteries category, right-click the Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery listing, and select Uninstall (Figure 3).
- You may see more than one.
WARNING: Do not remove the Microsoft AC Adapter driver or any other ACPI compliant driver.
- On the Device Manager Taskbar, click Scan for hardware changes.
- Alternately, select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
- Windows will scan your computer for hardware that doesn’t have drivers installed, and will install the drivers needed to manage your battery’s power. The notebook should now indicate that the battery is charging.
- If you still have the issue try updating the chipset driver and reboot.
WARNING: Do not remove the Microsoft AC Adapter driver or any other ACPI compliant driver. 
Figure 2
Figure 3
- Update the BIOS. You can locate the latest BIOS update for your system by visiting the Drivers and Downloads Page (select your system by adding your tag or from the product list if not already cookied). In the Downloads section, you will find the latest BIOS for your system.
NOTE: Make sure to check for encryption or other BIOS settings that would cause you to skip this step.
- Load Defaults in the BIOS
NOTE: If the system does not have a user removable battery skip this step.
- You may drain the residual power of your computer and re-calibrate the battery by following the steps below:
- Power off your computer.
- Remove all the external peripherals (printers, scanners, or any other USB device) connected to your computer.
- Please remove the AC adapter and battery of your computer.
- Press and hold the power button of your computer for 10-15 seconds to drain the residual power.
- Release the power button
- Keep the battery out for at least 2 – 3 hours.
- Then insert the battery and charge it overnight with the system powered off.
- Then power on the computer and see if it works.
- Another step you may try is to check the battery health from the control panel by following the steps below (Figure 4):
- Click on Windows logon on desktop.
- Type ‘Power options’ in the search bar above that.
- Click on Power Options.
- Check for the ‘Battery Health Meter’ among the different options on the left side of the window.
- Check for battery health and check if the battery charging is disabled.
- Restart your computer to check if the issue is fixed.
- Run and install all Windows Updates.
- Dell Power Manager should be checked to verify that no options to “Not Charge” the system are disabled.
An example is an option in Dell Power Manager to not charge at night.
How to fix a Windows 10 laptop that’s plugged in but isn’t charging
Support for Windows 7 has officially ended, which means it’s time to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep that old PC running smoothly and securely. You can check for issues before installing a Windows 10 update, but even then you still might experience a hiccup.
After installing a previous Windows update, for example, my laptop’s battery stopped charging. My laptop showed it was plugged in, but then at the same time, it would tell me it was also not charging. Argh!
Thankfully, I found that this problem was not uncommon and would occasionally arise after a Windows update. And more thankfully, there was an easy fix.
I haven’t been able to replicate it since it occurred two years ago, but the Device Manager in Windows 10 hasn’t changed since then, so my fix is worth trying if you encounter this problem. Here’s how I got my laptop’s battery back to charging when it was plugged in.
Plugged in, not charging
If your laptop refuses to charge the battery even though it acknowledges that it’s plugged in, here’s what you need to do:
- Open the Device Manager by searching for it or right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager.
- Click Batteries on the list to expand it and you should see two items: Microsoft AC Adapter and Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.
- Right-click on each item and choose Uninstall device. Yes, you are uninstalling your laptop’s battery drivers, but don’t worry because they will automatically be reinstalled when you restart your laptop.
- Shut down your laptop.
- Unplug the power cable from your laptop.
- If your laptop has a removable battery, remove it. My Lenovo laptop does not have a removable battery. I tried skipping this step but it didn’t work, so I removed the bottom panel of my laptop and then removed the battery by disconnecting it from the motherboard.
- Put the battery back in if you removed it.
- Plugin your laptop.
- Power on your laptop.
- Click the battery icon in the system tray and you should see that your laptop is plugged in and charging.
By reinstalling my Lenovo laptop‘s battery drivers and disconnecting its battery and then reconnecting it, I got my laptop’s battery back to charging when it’s plugged in. With differences in manufacturers, your mileage may vary. If you encountered this plugged-in-not-charging problem and found a fix that differs from mine, please describe your method in the comments below.
How to fix a laptop that won’t charge
- Check to see if you’re plugged in.
- Confirm you’re using the correct port.
- Remove the battery.
- Examine your power cords for any breaks or unusual bending.
- Update your drivers. …
- Survey the health of your charging port.
- Let your PC cool down.
- Seek professional assistance.
Before troubleshooting the notebook battery, make sure the power supply is functioning properly. Use the following steps to check the AC adapter and power source. … Unplug the AC power cable from the notebook, then remove the notebook battery. Plug the AC power cable back into the notebook and turn it on.
If your laptop requires an attached battery to boot, simply hold the power button down for 30 seconds. Reconnect the battery, then allow it to charge for one hour without powering on the laptop. After this hour, your battery should be reset – and upon booting your laptop, you should get a more accurate battery reading.
How do you know if the laptop battery is bad?
You’ll see a red X appear on the standard battery icon in your system tray and, when you click it, Windows will inform you that you should “consider replacing your battery.” Windows also says that your computer might shut down suddenly because there’s a problem with your battery — in other words, your battery can’t charging.
Laptop batteries decline due to a number of factors. Heat, usage, age — all of these things are bad for batteries. Batteries will slowly die no matter what — even if you put your battery in a closet and never touched it, it would slowly lose capacity due to age.
However, if you never use your battery — say you use your laptop at your desk most of the time and it gets rather hot, which is bad for the battery — removing the battery can certainly help prolong its life.
Conclusion:
Some laptops will have a ‘Battery Calibration’ application. If you did a clean install, you’ll have to go to the manufacturer’s website to see if they have one you can download/install for your model. If so, it will require you to run this application occasionally to make sure the battery continues to operate(charge) properly.
You cannot overcharge a laptop battery. Therefore, there is no danger in leaving your laptop plugged in overnight. That is because as soon as the battery is 100% charged, it will automatically stop charging. It will not start recharging until the power is using.
Shut down the laptop and unplug the power cable. Remove the battery, press Power button for 1 min. Plug the power cable and power on laptop. Uninstall Microsoft AC Adapter and the two instances of Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery from Device Manager.
it’s OK to use a laptop while it’s charging. A few caveats: … If you mostly use your laptop plugged in, you are better off removing the battery altogether when it is at 50% charge and storing it in a cool place (heat kills battery health too).
How long does a Laptop battery last? Laptop batteries usually only last from 2 to 4 years, which amounts to about 1,000 charges. However, there are a few factors that determine how long a battery will last before it finally gives out: The material that the laptop battery is made from.
You can Use a Laptop without the Battery
First of all, make sure you’re using the original power adapter that came with the laptop. Power variations could cause components on the laptop’s motherboard to fail, which is something that the battery can prevent, by acting the way a UPS would.
All your laptop needs to have is a USB-C charging port. Just connect the power bank to the USB-C port and it will start charging your laptop instantly. It is a remote, convenient, and hassle-free method of charging a laptop battery.
The alternative you could try is this:
- With the battery and AC adapter plugged in, turn off the laptop.
- Disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery.
- Plug the AC adapter back in(not the battery) and boot up to Windows
- In Device Manager, uninstall “Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery” & turn off the laptop + disconnect AC
- Now, re-connect both the AC and the battery & turn it on.
If that still did not work, your AC adapter could be malfunctioning & recommend testing with another one. Worst case scenario, it could be a problem with the internal jack.
If you still finding an issue please comment below, I will guide you with the other methods.
1. Ensure that the power cord and/or AC adapter are plugged into the computer and the connection is solid and secured.
2. Verify that the power cord is plugged into an AC adapter completely.
3. Make sure your laptop power jack is not loose-fitting. Fixing and soldering the power jack might require some professional skills.
4. Attempt to use a different electrical outlet.
5. Test out with another battery/ charger.
Always, the LED light of the charger needs to be constantly on. If not, replace the defective charger. Since the battery/ AC adapter does not last forever, you can try to visit Topic who provides a free lifetime warranty for their chargers.
Why does my laptop say plugged in not charging