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Resolved Persisting Battery Not Charging Problem

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by MaxV, 2017/08/08.

  1. 2017/08/08
    MaxV

    MaxV New Member Thread Starter

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    A while back there was a power outage at home and the original AC adapter of my Dell N4010 stopped working. I replaced it with a new generic power adapter (I couldn't find an original anywhere where I live). The power adapter worked for a while, and it still powers the laptop with no issue, but the battery is not charging to full. The battery is a replacement one I got about a year and a half ago to replace the original that shot after working for about 5 years. Here's my original post about this issue.

    I took the laptop to the IT shop that sold the adapter. They plugged it and the adapter worked fine and the battery seemed to charge as well. They checked the voltage issues and whatever and said everything is working fine. I had run a battery diagnostic, which showed the capacity at 44%. I asked them if I should replace the battery and the IT guy said there's no need.

    Back home the charging issue persisted even after I changed the power outlets. I thought it was an issue with the home outlets and have been meaning to call an electrician. The problem is, this morning the battery indicator LED started flashing orange. When the computer boots it says "battery not identified and is not charging." I went ahead with the boot up and the computer works fine. The battery is at about 60% and it says "plugged in, not charging."

    I'm not sure what the problem is. Is the A/C adapter not working as it should? It's a Chinese-made replacement one, the only kind I can find here. It powers the laptop, but doesn't charge the battery. Could it be an outlet issue? But it's the same when I changed the wall sockets (two different power lines). Or should I buy a new battery? I've been reading online some threads about this and some people say BIOS could be a problem too. I have a Dell A10 2010 BIOS. I'm so confused. Can someone please help?
     
    MaxV,
    #1
  2. 2017/08/08
    lj50 Lifetime Subscription

    lj50 SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Before buying and AC adaptor you should have checked Here
     
    lj50,
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  4. 2017/08/08
    MaxV

    MaxV New Member Thread Starter

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    I did check the Dell site. But I'm not based in the US and they charge a lot to ship internationally. Also, I would have had to wait for more than a week for the adapter to arrive. The new adapter seems to be fine powering the laptop though. And the voltage matches.
     
    MaxV,
    #3
  5. 2017/08/08
    lj50 Lifetime Subscription

    lj50 SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    My apologies> I didn't know you were based outside of the US
     
    lj50,
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  6. 2017/08/08
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    I would suggest that the laptop charging circuit was/is damaged in the power outage. :mad: This may be available as a modular replacement. o_O Time to see your Dell techo! :eek:;)
     
  7. 2017/08/09
    MaxV

    MaxV New Member Thread Starter

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    Is that part inside the laptop? Because when I first took the laptop to the techie, he was concerned that the charging port could be damaged. He checked it and said it was fine. But if the charging port or the circuit parts are damaged, how come the laptop is still powered? I mean, there is no issue powering up the computer the adapter works. The only issue is that the battery is not charging to full. It would be a problem if there's a power outage or something. (I don't take this travelling so I rarely use my laptop on battery power alone.)
     
    MaxV,
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  8. 2017/08/09
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    I just took a laptop in for repair yesterday for a new AC jack... It too would run ok but would not charge the battery.

    I have three other identical machines and was able to use different batteries and ac adaptors.

    You might try jiggling the adaptor when it's plugged to see if it will charge the battery in certain places.
     
  9. 2017/08/09
    MaxV

    MaxV New Member Thread Starter

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    I tried that several times but it doesn't work. I even unplugged and re-plugged the power cable that fit into the box part of the adapter. I'm not sure now if I should buy a battery or a new adapter. I'm not sure about the tech people either because they said that there was no problem with the adapter.
     
    MaxV,
    #8
  10. 2017/08/09
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    A damaged circuit may work until it heats up (during current flow) then open circuit. The charging port/jack is part of a module that connects to the main motherboard in laptops and generally can be replaced. A very similar unit is used in cellphones and I have renewed several of these in Samsung Galaxy S4's.
     
  11. 2017/08/11
    MaxV

    MaxV New Member Thread Starter

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    Ok I took out my old battery (that I replaced about 2 years ago due to reduced capacity) and it seems to charge. However, during the charge cycle, the battery indicator light flashes orange three or four times and goes back to white. It stops charging very briefly and goes back to charging again. So do I need to replace the adapter or the battery?
     
  12. 2017/08/12
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    If you power the laptop with the adapter only - what do the indicator lights do?
     

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