One of the primary reasons why we use a laptop is because it is up and running at any given time. It is mobile, but when the charger is not working, the mobility disappears.
When a Dell laptop is not turning on, a hard reset may be beneficial. It is often what takes care of the problems that are associated with almost any issue. Shut down the computer, unplug everything, and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Restart the computer and check your charger again.
There may be times when additional work is necessary to get the laptop charger working properly. It may also be necessary to replace the charger from time to time.
If the laptop is under warranty, be cautious about doing any extensive work, especially when it comes to taking apart the computer. Doing so may void the warranty.
Dell Laptop Charger Not Working
If the reset does not work, there may be other options available. Consider the following choices that may be able to help.
At times, the reason why a Dell laptop charger is not working does not have anything to do with the charger itself. It may be because of the power system in the home where it is charging. Check the breaker, receptacle, power port and power strips.
There are many factors in the power system that may cause the charger to stop charging. Consider the following options in order.
Breaker
When the breaker has tripped, it will shut down all power to the circuit. This is often recognized because other items will also go out on the circuit as well.
You can check the breaker by opening the breaker panel and looking for a switch that is out of line with the others. A tripped breaker will often have a red line showing to indicate it needs reset.
Resetting the breaker is easy. Simply turn it to the off position and then flip it back to the on position. There will be some pressure, so don’t be alarmed if it doesn’t switch easily.
Receptacle
Although most receptacles will last for many years, there are going to be times when they go bad. You can test the receptacle by plugging something else into it, such as a lamp.
It is possible for one part of the receptacle to go bad and the other plug to continue to work. If that is the case, contact an electrician so the receptacle can be changed.
Power Port
it is important that you plug the charger into the proper power port on the laptop. There are sometimes many options, including some that will allow the charger to plug in but they don’t have the charging ability.
Typically, a USB-C power port that allows charging will either have a lightning bolt next to it or a battery symbol. Make sure that you’re plugging into that port so the laptop will charge.
Docking Station
One of the most convenient items we can have for our laptop is a docking station. It allows us to quickly attach to keyboards, secondary monitors, printers, and other devices.
A docking station can go bad and it may be possible for some of the ports to go bad and others to continue to work. If your charger doesn’t seem to be working and it is plugged into the docking station, try plugging it directly into the computer instead.
Power Strips
If you are using a power strip, try plugging the laptop directly into a receptacle. The same is also true of UPS devices.
It is always a better idea if you plug directly into the receptacle rather than using a power strip. We tend to use those strips as a convenience, but we end up overloading the circuit in the process.
Adapter Cable
Check the adapter cable and give it a good inspection. If it is frayed or has any cuts, it may have exposed wires and they could be shorting.
You should also check the plug carefully for any signs of burning or for a missing prong. It may be necessary to replace the adapter or the cable that plugs into it.
If at all possible, check the charger by using a different charger. Be aware that not all chargers are going to fit into the power port and some of them may not give the appropriate amount of wattage.
One other thing to check on the power port is if the pin on the inside of the plug is bent or missing. If it is bent, it may still plug-in but it is going to short out against the side and will not charge.
Laptop Power Port
If you regularly plug into the laptop power port, it may be the issue. Those ports are soldered onto the motherboard and it tends to be a very weak link for a part of the computer that we regularly apply pressure to.
Try gently wiggling the plug when it is plugged into the power port and watch the indicator light to see if it charges for a moment. If the charging comes and goes, you may have to have the power port re-soldered onto the motherboard.
Re-soldering the power port would require that you open the laptop and work on the inside. This will typically void the warranty so if you are still under warranty, have it done by Dell rather than trying to do it yourself.
Low Wattage Charger
Have you recently changed to a new charger? Although chargers may plug into the computer, especially if you are using the USB-C port, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are all going to be the right wattage.
When you use an adapter that doesn’t have enough wattage, the charge will either be slow or it will not charge at all. It might cause problems with overheating and the CPU speed may reduce significantly.
Look at the old charger and see what the wattage specifications are. You can also check the Dell website for information on choosing a proper charger that will work on that laptop.
Update the Bios
If everything else seems to fail, you can try updating the bios. There may also be drivers available that need updated. Drivers and other updates can be found on the Dell website.
Dell Laptop Charger Keeps Turning Off
It can be frustrating when a laptop charger continually turns off. We might lose our work or it simply takes us a lot longer than necessary to get work done.
A common issue that can cause a charger to turn off periodically is if the center pin in the charger port has been pushed to the side. If it is touching the side, it will cause a short and when you plug it in under those conditions, it may charge periodically but not continually.
If you are not using an adapter that is the right wattage for your Dell laptop, it is not going to work properly. Typical problems associated with an inadequate adapter include slow charging, no charging, overheating, and slow speed.
The motherboard may be to blame in some cases. If there is a problem with the motherboard, especially when it comes to the connection to the power port, the charging may go on and off. It may be necessary to have someone open the computer and re-solder the port to the motherboard.
Have you checked the power system? It could be many different issues, including a bad receptacle, tripped breaker, or a problem with the power strip you are using. Test everything and try charging from a different location.
If the wire to the charger is damaged, it might work on occasion but it is not going to work continually. Any movements may cause the wires to short out temporarily and that will turn the charger off.
If all else fails, try using another charger. Ask someone who has a Dell laptop with a similar charger if you can borrow their charger and try it. You may need to get a new charger.
Dell Laptop Charger Light Not On
We rely on the charger light on our Dell laptops to let us know when the computer is charging and when it is fully charged. If the light isn’t on, it could spell trouble.
A faulty AC adapter cable is often to blame when the charger light is not working. Visually inspect the cable for any damage, including signs of burning on the plug. Check the pin inside of the adapter as well as inside of the port to see if it is broken, damaged, or bent.
If the laptop is receiving an adequate charge but the light is still not on, there may not be a problem that needs to be addressed. At times, it may just be a wire that has come loose leading to the LED light. It can be fixed, but it is not always necessary if the laptop is charging.
If the laptop is not receiving a charge and the charger light is not on, it means there is a breakdown in the power supply. Aside from looking for damage to the cable, you can test the receptacle or move to another part of the home so you are on a different circuit.
If another receptacle works, check the breaker in the breaker panel. The receptacle may need replacing if it is not working properly.
If your laptop is plugged into a power strip or UPS device, unplug it and plug it directly into the wall receptacle. Bypassing those secondary devices may reveal if it is a problem with the device or with the charger.
Dell Laptop Charger Not Charging
Is your Dell laptop charger not charging? The fix may not be difficult once you diagnose what is behind it properly.
Damage to the adapter, plug, or internal pins may be to blame if your laptop is not charging. Visually inspect the adapter for any signs of damage, including any exposed wires near the ends. If the pin has become bent or is missing inside of the plug, the charger will need to be replaced.
Have you recently switched to a new adapter? If the charger is not working and it is new, it may not be the proper wattage.
Each laptop requires a different type of charger. Many of them are going to be usable, especially if you’re plugging into the USB-C port. If you are not using a charger with the proper wattage, problems are going to happen.
Aside from the charger not charging, it may charge slowly from time to time, especially when the computer is off and there is not a large power drain. You might also have issues with overheating and the CPU may be running slow.
Shut down the computer fully and try charging with the laptop turned off. Sometimes, a slow charge will identify itself in this case. If you are running the laptop and the charger is not quite working as well as it should, it may not be able to keep up with the power drain.
Have you had the laptop for a long time? Laptop batteries can go bad and at times, they don’t hold their charge as well as they used to.
If your laptop charger is keeping your laptop running but the battery isn’t charging, it is likely a problem with the battery. You could even run it without the battery but it isn’t very mobile.
It is possible to check the health status of the battery in Windows diagnostics, as well as in the bios. Updating the bios may help.
Dell Laptop Charger Making Noise
Have you noticed that your laptop charger is noisier than usual? This may be a simple thing to correct.
It is not uncommon for laptop chargers to make noise and it is to be expected. As electricity passes through the AC adapter, it causes vibrations. As the components vibrate, it makes noise you can hear. If the components are loose or if the AC adapter is old, the sound can get louder.
AC adapters receive power from the power supply at your home but they then convert the voltage inside of the adapter using frequencies that are usually higher than we can hear. Although we can’t hear the frequency, we can hear the vibrating that is associated with it.
Although it may seem like a simple fix, slapping or gently tapping the AC adapter can sometimes get it to stop. You might also only hear it if you are in a room that is very quiet.
It is one thing for your Dell laptop charger to make noise but another thing for it to overheat. If it is making noise and is very hot, it should be replaced.
Finally, try plugging the charger into a different receptacle, or maybe try plugging it in at a different location altogether. You might find that one place works better than another.
Dell Laptop Charger Not Recognized
If you get an error that the charger is not recognized in your Dell laptop, there are some things you can do to correct the issue.
The pin on the inside of the charger cable is sometimes to blame when your laptop charger is not recognized. The error may happen if the pin is broken or if it is not matched up properly with your laptop. Inspect the pin, AC adapter and charger cord for damage, and replace if there is.
Sometimes you need to drain the residual power in the laptop and start fresh. This is known as a hard reset. It doesn’t need doing often but it can sometimes correct issues.
Start by unplugging the laptop from the wall and unplug the charger from the laptop. If you have any other devices connected to the laptop, unplug them as well.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on November 1, 2021.
Turn the laptop over and remove the battery. This will cause the laptop to shut down immediately. You can then press the power button and hold it for 30 seconds to drain any residual power.
Reinstall the battery, plug the laptop AC adapter in, and restart the computer. It may force the computer to identify the charger.
Dell Laptop Charger Keeps Falling Out
Are you having a problem with your laptop charger falling out? It’s not uncommon, and the fix is sometimes easy.
If the plug is loose to your laptop, it will not stay in properly. Identify any problems with the charger and the ports, including bent or missing pins. At times, wear and tear on the laptop may make it necessary to replace the charger. If you see any damage to the power cord, it should be replaced.
One other issue that can occur is for the power port to disconnect from the motherboard. This is a common issue because it is a weak link that is under a lot of pressure.
The power port can be soldered back to the motherboard but it is a difficult fix. It is also something that should not be done if the laptop is still under warranty. Send it in for repair.
Dell Laptop Charger Stopped Working
Has your laptop charger suddenly stopped working? Try this simple fix.
A hard reset will sometimes cause the laptop charger to begin working again. Power down the computer, unplug everything, and remove the battery. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to drain residual power. Reinstall the battery, plug the laptop in and start it again.
Have you checked the power cord for damage? If there is any visible damage, especially if there are visible wires or the pin inside the port is bent or missing, the charger should be replaced.
The jack on the laptop is sometimes to blame. It is soldered to the motherboard but it is constantly under pressure, so sometimes the solder breaks. It can be re-soldered but you should check to see if it is under warranty before opening the laptop.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 1, 2021.
Make sure that the power supply is still on where you have it plugged in. Check the receptacle with a lamp or another device.
When your Dell laptop charger is not working, resetting the device will often start it working again. Shut down the computer fully, remove all cables, and remove the battery. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds, reinsert the battery, and restart the laptop. It may be a damaged charger or a power problem in the area where you are charging it.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 1, 2021.