How to Fix a Laptop Battery That Shows 0% Plugged In, Not Charging
FOKUS NEWS - If you have a laptop battery that shows 0% plugged in, not charging, you might be wondering what is wrong and how to fix it. This is a common problem that can affect any laptop brand or model, and it can have various causes and solutions. In this article, I will explain some of the possible reasons why your laptop battery is not charging, and how to troubleshoot and resolve them.
1. Check the Battery Status and Health
The first thing you should do is to check the battery status and health in your laptop settings. You can do this by clicking on the battery icon in the taskbar, or by going to the Control Panel > Power Options > Battery. There, you can see the percentage of charge, the estimated time remaining, and the battery health. If the battery health is poor or degraded, it means that your battery has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced. You can also use a third-party tool like BatteryCare or BatteryInfoView to get more detailed information about your battery.
2. Update or Reinstall the Battery Driver
Another possible cause of the 0% plugged in, not charging issue is a faulty or outdated battery driver. The battery driver is the software that communicates between your laptop and your battery, and it can sometimes get corrupted or incompatible with your system. To fix this, you can try to update or reinstall the battery driver. Here are the steps to do this:
- Go to the Device Manager by pressing Windows key + X and selecting it from the menu.
- Expand the Batteries category and right-click on the Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.
- Choose Update Driver Software and follow the instructions to check for updates online. If there are any updates available, install them and restart your laptop.
- If updating the driver does not work, you can try to uninstall and reinstall it. To do this, right-click on the Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery again and choose Uninstall. Then, click on Action > Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the driver automatically. Restart your laptop and check if the problem is solved.
3. Reset the Battery
Sometimes, the 0% plugged in, not charging issue can be caused by a glitch or a calibration error in the battery. To fix this, you can try to reset the battery by draining it completely and then recharging it fully. This can help to reset the battery memory and recalibrate the battery meter. Here are the steps to do this:
- Turn off your laptop and unplug the power cord.
- Remove the battery from your laptop. You may need to use a screwdriver or a latch to do this, depending on your laptop model. Refer to your laptop manual or website for instructions on how to remove the battery safely.
- Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds to drain any residual power from the laptop.
- Reinsert the battery and plug in the power cord.
- Turn on your laptop and let it charge until it reaches 100%. Do not use your laptop or turn it off during this process.
- Once the battery is fully charged, unplug the power cord and let the battery drain until it reaches 0%. Again, do not use your laptop or turn it off during this process.
- Repeat the charging and discharging cycle one more time.
- Check if the battery status and charging are normal.
4. Try a Different Charger or Power Outlet
Another possible cause of the 0% plugged in, not charging issue is a faulty or incompatible charger or power outlet. If your charger is damaged, loose, or not compatible with your laptop, it may not deliver enough power to charge your battery. Similarly, if your power outlet is faulty, loose, or overloaded, it may not provide enough power to your charger. To fix this, you can try to use a different charger or power outlet. Here are some tips to do this:
- Make sure your charger is the original one that came with your laptop, or a compatible one that has the same voltage and current ratings. You can check the labels on your charger and laptop to find this information.
- Make sure your charger is not damaged, frayed, or bent. Check the cable, the plug, and the connector for any signs of wear and tear or physical damage.
- Make sure your charger is plugged in securely and firmly into your laptop and the power outlet. Avoid using extension cords, power strips, or adapters that may interfere with the power supply.
- Try using a different power outlet that is not faulty, loose, or overloaded. Avoid using outlets that are near other appliances, heaters, or devices that may cause electrical interference or fluctuations.
- Try using a different charger that is known to work with your laptop or a similar model. You can borrow one from a friend, family member, or colleague, or buy a new one from a reputable seller.
5. Contact the Manufacturer or a Professional Technician
If none of the above solutions work, it may mean that your laptop battery or motherboard is defective or damaged, and needs to be repaired or replaced. This is a serious issue that requires professional assistance, and you should not attempt to fix it yourself. To do this, you can contact the manufacturer of your laptop or a certified technician, and explain the problem to them. They may be able to diagnose the issue remotely, or ask you to send your laptop to them for inspection and repair. Depending on your warranty status and the extent of the damage, you may have to pay for the service or get it for free.
I hope this article has helped you understand how to fix a laptop battery that shows 0% plugged in, not charging. This is a common and frustrating problem that can have various causes and solutions, and I have tried to cover the most likely and effective ones. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading.