What to do if your Windows, macOS, or Linux laptop won't charge

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Eight times out of ten, it's not the battery that's to blame, it's software glitches.

What to do first

1. Make sure everything is connected

Check the obvious things first. Firstly, the power cable is connected to the laptop and the adapter, and the charging itself is connected to the mains. Secondly, that the socket or extension cord is working: just turn on a lamp or other device in them.

2. Inspect the connector

Often the problem is in a loose nest. Inspect the connector carefully. Check that there is no debris and that the plug is fully inserted and does not dangle.

If there is damage, you need to fix it and the laptop will start charging. However, tools and soldering skills are indispensable here. So, most likely, you will have to contact the service.

If everything looks whole and the connector is securely fixed, go to the next step.

3. Check the power cable

macworld.co.uk

Broken wire can also cause problems. So look for kinks, braid abrasions, squashed areas. If you find, and you have a collapsible charger, try replacing the wire with a known working one (from another laptop) and check if the battery will charge.

4. Test the charging adapter

To exclude a breakdown of the power supply, replace it with a working one with the same parameters - ideally from a similar laptop model. If finding the correct adapter is difficult, take a close look at the old one. Damaged wires or plugs, traces of overheating, melted parts, or the smell of burnt plastic are all indications of potential malfunctions.

If you have a multimeter at hand, measure the voltage supplied by the adapter. It must correspond to the one indicated on the case.

5. Make sure the battery is working properly

The laptop may not charge due to a lot of battery wear or battery problems. In this case, it will need to be changed.

Usually the OS itself indicates a malfunction. But more information about the state of the battery can be obtained using special software. For example, the free utilities BatteryCare for Windows and CoconutBattery for macOS.

In Linux, there is a Power Manager tool for this, which is included in most distributions or can be easily installed with the command

sudo apt install gnome-power-manager

After starting all the utilities in the main window, you need to find the factory and current battery capacities and compare them. The level of wear is also important. If it is over 50%, the battery will most likely need to be replaced. But take your time - try the other tips first.

6. Check charging in another OS

If your laptop has two operating systems in dualboot mode, the simplest solution is to switch from one OS to another and check if the laptop is charging. If so, then a problem with the OS itself and reinstallation will help.

If the laptop has one operating system, refer to the LiveUSB distribution.

• Download the Linux distribution in ISO format. Best of all Ubuntu: it is popular and well compatible. Choose the latest version (not LTS) - it can fix many bugs affecting your current distribution.
• Connect a 2 GB or more USB flash drive to your laptop.
• Install the Etcher utility and specify the ISO file and drive to burn it to.
• After the recording is complete, restart your computer and boot from the USB flash drive. Press Del on PC and Option on Mac at startup to select bootable media.
• When the boot menu appears, change the language and select "Start Ubuntu Without Installing".
• After the system boots, look at the power icon in the menu bar. If the battery is charging, then the problem is in the OS, and reinstalling will help.

What to do if your Windows or Linux laptop won't charge

1. Initialize the battery

Sometimes software glitches can disrupt battery performance. In this case, the initialization procedure will help, which will sensitize the electronics and restore functionality. Proceed like this:

• Power off the laptop completely, disconnect all cables and external devices.
• If the battery is removable, unclip the clips and remove it.
• Press the power button and do not release it for 30 seconds, and preferably a minute for fidelity.
• If you removed the battery, reinstall it, snap the latches and make sure it is in good contact.
• Plug in the charger and wait about 15 minutes.
• Turn on your laptop as usual.

If the reason was a software failure, after booting the system, the battery should start charging.

2. Reset BIOS settings

Another way to adjust the operation of the software that controls the operation of the battery is to reset the BIOS. Don't worry, this procedure does not affect the operating system or content on the disk.

• Turn off your laptop and unplug the power cable.
• If the battery is removable, remove it by sliding the latches.
• Hold down the power button for about a minute.
• Connect the charger to the mains and insert the cable into the laptop. Do not install the battery yet.
• Turn on your computer and enter BIOS on startup. Usually you need to press the F2 or Delete key to do this. As a rule, the required combination is displayed on the screen.
• Find the Load Defaults (Optimized Defaults or something similar) item in the menu that opens, select it.
• Confirm your selection by clicking Save and Exit.
• After restarting, turn off the laptop by holding the power button for about 10 seconds.
• If you took out the battery, then return it to its place, having previously disconnected the power cable.
• Check that the charger is connected to the laptop and turn it on.

After starting, the OS will inform you that a battery has been detected, and after a few seconds, charging should start.

3. Update drivers (Windows only)

The battery also has its own drivers that can fail. Windows then reports that the battery is connected but not charging. If the problem is really with the driver, reinstalling it will help.

• Launch the "Task Manager" through the search menu or through the "Control Panel".
• Find the item "Batteries" in the list and expand it.
• Right click on the "Battery with ACPI Compliant Control" and select "Delete".
• Reboot the laptop and the next time you turn it on, the system will automatically reinstall the battery management driver.

What to do if your macOS laptop won't charge

1. Perform initialization

If the problem is caused by a software malfunction, a so-called initialization procedure can help. Here's what to do.

• Unplug the charging plug and disconnect the cable from the laptop. Please wait a few seconds.
• Choose Apple menu → Shut Down and wait for your MacBook to shut down completely.
• If using a model with a removable battery, remove and reinsert.
• Turn on the laptop as usual by pressing the power button.

2. Reset SMC parameters

Charging problems can be caused by improper operation of the System Management Controller. He is responsible for various low-level functions and battery as well. Resetting the SMC will restore charging performance in most cases.

How to reset SMC on MacBook with removable battery

All models manufactured before 2009.

• Shut down your MacBook and remove the battery.
• Press the power button and hold it for 5 seconds.
• Replace the battery.
• Press the power button and turn on the laptop as usual.

How to reset SMC on MacBook with non-removable battery

MacBook Pros since 2009, all MacBook Airs, all MacBooks Retina.

• Choose Apple menu → Shut Down and wait for your MacBook to shut down completely.
• Press the Shift + Control + Option keys and the Power button on your keyboard. Hold all buttons pressed for 10 seconds.
• Release all buttons.
• Press the power button and turn on the laptop as usual.

How to reset SMC on MacBook with Apple T2 processor

MacBook Pro and MacBook Air from 2018.

• Go to Apple menu → Shut Down and wait until your computer turns off.
• Press and hold the left Control key, the left Option, and the right Control key for 7 seconds. Without releasing these keys, press and hold the power button for 7 seconds.
• Release all pressed buttons and wait a few seconds.
• Press the power button and turn on your MacBook as usual.

What to do if all else fails

Go to the service center. Most likely, the power controller or other internal components are damaged. But only specialists can accurately name and eliminate the problem.