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From time to time the laptop fails to recognize an AC Adapter. BIOS tells me that on start and the system shows me that the laptop is charging, when in fact it’s discharging. It happened once a month when I just bought the laptop, but the last week it happens multiple times a day.
I guess, the main suspects here are the AC Adapter, charging socket and battery charge controller. Unfortunately, I cannot try another AC Adapter, because there’s no shop in my city that has an appropriate one. 130W Dell batteries are pretty expensive, so I want to eliminate other options before ordering one. Therefore I experimented with configuration: I turned on the laptop with a new battery, then with the stock one and then without any. I did it with opened bottom panel and closed. Initially, the laptop started to recognize the AC Adapter with the old battery and without any, but after some time stopped to recognize it in any state with any battery or without. An hour passed, the AC Adapter started to work again. The pattern here is chaotic, so I’m confused.
Does it sound familiar to anyone? How can I fix that?
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Only a quarter of young adults are financially literate. You don’t want to overwhelm them with terrible advice.
Michael Clarck
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Here are some reasons why a laptop might not recognize its charger:
Charging cable: The cable might be loose, unplugged, or damaged. It could also have a weak connection if the laptop’s manufacturer didn’t make the cable. The cord might have fraying, cuts, or other damage.
Charging port: The charging port might be clogged with dirt or debris.
Power source: The power source, such as an outlet or power strip, might not be working.
Power surges: Sudden spikes in electrical current can damage the charger.
Connector issues: The connection between the charger and the laptop can become loose or damaged.
Manufacturing defects: Some chargers have inherent flaws that lead to failure.
Battery driver: A recent Windows 10 update may have disrupted the battery’s ability to detect the charger.
Motherboard: The circuitry that detects when the AC adapter is connected has failed, or the socket on the motherboard to which the AC adapter plugs-in to is damaged.
Here are some things you can try:
Reset the AC adapter by unplugging it from the wall outlet for 15 seconds, then unplugging it from the laptop. Plug it into a known-good wall outlet, then plug it into the laptop. Check the LED indicator on the AC adapter.
Check the power cable and make sure it’s securely connected to both the laptop and the wall outlet.
Try unplugging and replugging the power cord.
Try using a different charger. If the problem goes away, then the original charger may be faulty.
Update your battery’s driver through Windows Device.
