Laptop not charging
It runs on mains but the battery never fills, the charger only works at a certain angle, or Windows reports "plugged in, not charging". Each of those points to a different part.
Where charging faults come from
The charging port takes more physical abuse than any other part of a laptop. Barrel sockets work loose from the board, and USB-C ports wear or collect fluff until the plug no longer seats. A charger that has to be held at an angle is a port or cable problem, and it gets worse with use.
When the port and charger are sound, the fault is either the battery or the charging circuit on the motherboard that controls it. Some laptops also have a setting that deliberately stops charging at 60 or 80 per cent to protect the battery, which looks like a fault but is not.
Checks worth trying first
- Check the wattage printed on the charger matches what the laptop needs. A phone charger will not charge most laptops.
- On USB-C laptops, try every USB-C port. Often only one or two accept power.
- Wiggle the plug gently. If charging cuts in and out, stop using it and get the port repaired before it damages the board.
- Look in the manufacturer app (Lenovo Vantage, MyASUS, Dell Power Manager and similar) for a battery charge limit.
- In Windows, run
powercfg /batteryreportto compare the battery's current capacity with its design capacity.
How we fix it
We test the charger under load, check the port for movement and measure whether power reaches the board and the battery. Barrel sockets and USB-C ports are replaced, including those soldered directly to the motherboard. Batteries are replaced with the correct part for the model, and charging circuit faults are repaired at component level.
A loose port that is left alone can arc and burn the board around it, turning a small repair into a larger one. It is worth sending in early.
Common questions
Can I keep using the laptop on mains if the battery will not charge?
In most cases yes, as long as the charger connection is solid. If the plug is loose or gets hot, stop using it.
Do you sell replacement chargers?
If the assessment shows the charger has failed, we can supply the correct one with the repair. Ask when you get in touch.
Related pages
Won't Turn OnNo lights, no fan, no response to the power button.
Cracked or Broken ScreenCracks, lines, black blotches or a touchscreen that ignores you.
Black Screen, No DisplayLights and fan come on, but there is no picture.
Overheating and Fan NoiseHot to the touch, noisy fan, or sudden shutdowns.
Running SlowMinutes to start, constant freezing, the spinning circle.
Liquid SpillWater, tea, coffee or wine in the keyboard. Act quickly.
Keyboard or Trackpad FaultDead keys, repeating letters or a trackpad that will not click.
Won't Boot into WindowsStuck on the logo, repair loops, or "no bootable device".
Blue Screen and CrashesBlue screens, random restarts and freezes.
Battery Drains FastAn hour or less on battery, or a case that has started to bulge.
No Wi-Fi or BluetoothNo networks found, weak signal or constant drop-outs.
Broken Hinge or CasingA stiff or snapped hinge, or a lid that is splitting open.
Viruses and Pop-upsFake warnings, hijacked browsers and scam callers.
Get a price from a technician
Tell us the make, the model and what has gone wrong. A technician replies with a price and the quickest way to get your laptop to us – normally the same working day.
020 7237 6805 Creative IT workshopUnit 1, 80 Willow Walk, London SE1 5SY
Monday to Saturday, 9am–6pm