Laptop Not Charging? Here Is What to Check
A charging fault is almost always in one of four places. Here is how to narrow it down, and when to call us.
The Short Answer
When a laptop will not charge, the fault is usually in the charger, the cable, the charging port or the battery.
Checking each in turn finds the problem quickly, and all four can be repaired or replaced.
Common Causes
A Faulty Charger or Cable
Chargers and cables wear out, especially where the cable meets the plug. A damaged cable can stop charging completely or only work at certain angles.
A Damaged or Loose Charging Port
Dust, lint or a worn connector inside the port can stop the plug making contact. A plug that feels loose or wobbles is a common sign.
A Worn-Out Battery
Laptop batteries wear out with use and age. An old battery may stop charging or drain almost as fast as it charges.
Battery Settings or Software
Some laptops limit charging to protect the battery, and a software fault can stop charging until the laptop restarts. The battery status message usually tells you which it is.
What to Try Before You Call
- Check the cable along its length for kinks, fraying or a bent plug.
- Try a different power point and, if you have one, a charger made for your laptop that you know works.
- Look into the charging port for dust or lint, and check whether the plug feels loose. Do not push anything metal into the port.
- Restart the laptop with the charger connected.
- Check the battery status in Windows or macOS. A message such as "plugged in, not charging" or "service battery" points to the battery or its settings.
Stop using the laptop and call us if the battery looks swollen, the case is lifting, or the charger or port gets hot.
When to Call Us
Call us if the laptop still will not charge. We come to you, check the charger, cable, port and battery, and tell you what is wrong and what it will cost before we repair anything.
What Does a Repair Cost?
Our standard rate is $132 per hour, and it includes travel anywhere on the Gold Coast. We quote any parts before we start, so the price never surprises you.
Every repair comes with our satisfaction guarantee, and parts carry the manufacturer's warranty.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Labour, including Gold Coast travel | $132 per hour |
| Parts | Quoted before we start |
Questions
If the battery no longer gets you through the work you need, or the laptop shows a service battery message, it is time to replace it. Batteries hold less charge as they age.
Use a charger made for your laptop, or one that meets its power requirements. A charger that cannot supply enough power may charge slowly or not at all.
Yes. We replace worn batteries in MacBooks as well as Windows laptops, and we confirm the part and price before we start.
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Laptop Still Not Charging?
Call us or book a technician, and we will get back to you fast.