HP laptops are favored by people who want a high-quality product for less money. These may typically be less stylish than other name brands, but they’ll be less fragile and last longer. However, even these robust machines have their issues, and it’s not uncommon to see your HP laptop struggling to charge.
If your HP laptop won’t charge, hold its charge, or connect to the charger, first check that the charger or laptop itself isn’t damaged. Next, check the outlet is working by plugging something else in, and also check for updates on your machine and docking station. If in doubt, go to a professional.
This article will help you determine possible causes or reasons for multiple different charging problems with HP laptops and outline possible solutions. While you may not be able to do anything, there are a surprising number of ways to fix the problem without much effort.
HP Laptop Will Not Charge When Plugged In
If your HP laptop simply refuses to charge at all when it’s plugged in, there are likely two possible causes for this:
Cause: Charger Isn’t Connected Correctly
Before you panic and think you need to replace your laptop, double-check that you haven’t made an obvious error with your charging connections. If the plug isn’t all the way in, you likely won’t see any activity in the charge. This is more common than you think, so don’t make the mistake of not checking!
Solution
This is a matter of taking a quick look at all your connection points and double-checking that you haven’t made one of these common errors:
Is the Laptop Plugged In?
You may scoff at this advice but check just in case. Look at each point of contact on the plug—the power outlet, the charger, and the laptop port itself. You might be surprised to find that one of these connections is just a little loose and needs a nudge into place.
Is The Charger Plugged Into the Right Port?
As technology changes, the charging port on your HP laptop may look a little different than you’re used to. Slim-looking USB-C ports are now commonly used on mobile phones and laptops, but they have only been used since 2014, so you may be used to a charging port that looks a little different. The laptop charging port is usually the one on the topmost side on the left.
Is the Battery Gone?
If you have been fiddling with your laptop’s circuitry recently, determine if you somehow managed to put the device back together without its battery. Since most laptops will work whether a battery is in or not, you may want to make sure that you replaced it! Without a battery, your laptop won’t hold a charge.
If the laptop is properly connected to a power source and isn’t charging, read on for more possible solutions to your problem.
HP Laptop Charger Keeps Disconnecting
If you find that when you plug your HP laptop in, it starts out connected to power, then quickly disconnects, you may be facing an issue with your wall outlet or your battery itself. First, check that you aren’t simply using a dud outlet by plugging in something else, such as a lamp.
Cause: Blown Fuse in Wall Outlet
Blown fuses are common and can be caused by overloading an outlet with devices, a short-circuit, or damaged wiring. You may not even notice this has happened as they do not always look burnt or otherwise damaged.
If you suspect that your wall outlet is damaged, try plugging your charger and laptop into a different outlet. If the laptop charges without issue, the problem is likely an issue with the fuse in the wall.
It could even be an issue with just one appliance that’s connected to the same outlet. The wiring inside appliances becomes extensions of the fuses that they’re connected to, so an issue with one appliance will cause problems with each connection. This is common when you use extension cords to plug in multiple appliances into one outlet.
Solution
Of course, the easiest solution to a blown fuse is finding a new wall outlet. If you’re in a pinch and need to get some work done quickly on a laptop with a dying battery, this will be the quickest option as fixing a fuse isn’t always a small task.
However, this isn’t always possible or convenient if the blown outlet happens to be the only one in your office or workspace. Besides, if you have a blown fuse, you’ll need to deal with it eventually.
If you think you’re facing a blown fuse, here’s what to do:
- Locate your circuit’s service panel.
- Find the tripped breaker—it will have snapped into the OFF position.
- Leave the breaker OFF for now.
- Inspect all power cords connected to the circuit and remove anything that seems damaged.
- Turn off all appliances connected to the circuit.
- Switch the tripped breaker to the ON position.
- Check to see if the issue is solved.
If your power outlet is still not working, contact an electrician. Do not attempt to DIY major electricity problems unless you’re very confident in what you’re doing, as you can cause a fire, electrocute yourself, or even worse.
Cause: Battery Issue
If your HP laptop continually seems to disconnect from a perfectly working power source while charging, this could be a more fundamental problem with the battery. You can quickly check this by running your battery troubleshooter.
Solution
To open the battery troubleshooter in Windows 10:
- Open Start – Settings – Update & Security.
- Click Troubleshoot in the sidebar.
- Windows may give you recommended troubleshooters, so select Power.
- If not, click Additional Troubleshooters at the bottom.
- Scroll to Power and run the troubleshooter.
The troubleshooter will be able to tell you what you should do to fix your battery or if it needs to be replaced altogether.
HP Laptop Will Not Charge in Docking Station
HP has several brands of docking stations. The HP D9Y32 UltraSlim 2013 Docking Station is under $100 on Amazon and is compatible with most new HP models. Make sure to buy the correct size for your laptop!
If you find that your docking station isn’t charging your HP laptop, look into whether its BIOS needs to be updated.
Cause: BIOS Needs To Be Updated
BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. Essentially, it’s a software chip on your laptop’s motherboard that tells it how to perform its most basic functions, like booting up, keyboard commands, and how to store its data.
In some cases, your BIOS may need to be rebooted in order for it to recognize a new docking station. This takes only a little bit of time.
Solution
To update the BIOS in Windows 10:
- In the Start menu, click Power and Restart.
- Before continuing, choose Troubleshoot.
- Click Advanced Options, then UEFI Firmware Settings.
- Click Restart.
This should update your BIOS firmware. If you’re still unable to connect the laptop to the station, the problem is probably the docking station itself.
Cause: Docking Station Defective
Docking stations are a little more finicky than regular chargers, and the chances of them malfunctioning are a little bit higher. If you update your BIOS and find that the docking station still won’t charge your laptop, but its charger works fine, there isn’t much you can do.
Solution
Buy a new docking station. Try taking it back to the HP store you purchased it if you can, and see if you can get a refund.
You may find that docking stations are more likely to break than chargers, and are pickier in general, so you may opt to ditch these altogether and instead stick with traditional chargers.
HP Laptop Battery Won’t Charge Past 80% / Won’t Charge to 100% Full
If your laptop battery is only charging to a certain point or won’t get up to 100% no matter how long you have it charging, you may be facing a frustrating problem that is surprisingly common to HP laptop owners. You may also simply have an artificial cap on your battery life that you can easily fix.
Cause: HP Battery Health Manager
Believe it or not, some HP Business Notebook PCs actually have a setting that caps their batteries at 80% full to prevent battery swelling. If you have previously installed a battery health manager on your HP laptop, you may have adjusted the settings and not remembered.
Solution
To adjust the settings on your battery health manager:
- Turn off your laptop.
- Connect the laptop to power.
- Turn on your laptop.
- Repeatedly press F10 to open BIOS Setup.
- Select Advanced, then Power Management Options.
- Choose Battery Health Manager, then choose the new cap for your battery power.
Cause: Unknown Glitch
If your HP laptop doesn’t charge beyond 80%, you likely have a common but perplexing glitch. Such things happen all the time with computers and software and they are generally harmless. There isn’t much explanation for how this glitch occurs, but fortunately, there is a relatively simple solution in most cases.
Solution
No doubt you heard the old adage: have you tried turning it off and on again? More often than not, it works.
Power down your computer by holding the power button down for 15 seconds, and leave it without power for a few minutes – the longer, the better. Then plug the laptop in and boot it up like normal.
This should cause the glitch to reset. If not, you may want to take your laptop to a specialist.
HP Laptop Will Not Hold a Charge
If your laptop is charging but is having difficulty holding its charge, you may want to update your drivers.
Cause: Drivers Need To Be Updated
This could be a problem with the drivers of the laptop, especially if the device hasn’t been updated in a while.
Drivers are sets of files that control the hardware of your laptop with its operating system. Drivers are different from BIOS; driver updates are often fixed with patches to combat recent viruses and support newer software and hardware. This is a software malfunction and can be simpler to fix than a hardware malfunction.
Solution
If you need to update your laptop’s drivers on Windows 10:
- Go to the Start Menu, then Quick Access, then Device Manager.
- Click Batteries, then right-click Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery.
- Press Update Driver.
- Find the appropriate software by following the guide given by Windows.
- Restart your PC, then try charging it again.
If that fails to work, you may want to take your computer to a specialist.
HP Laptop Won’t Charge Unless Closed
If your HP laptop won’t charge unless the lid is closed, or if it won’t charge unless it’s switched off entirely, this could be a simple fix or maybe a bad sign of things to come.
Cause: Laptop Circuitry Is Dated
If you’ve already tried some of the solutions listed, like updating your laptop’s drivers or BIOS or resetting it, in all likelihood, your laptop’s circuitry is outdated. You can try taking it to a specialist, but if your laptop fails to perform this basic function, it might be time to take it in.
Solution
Give each of the previous solutions a try. If none of these work, consider whether or not you’re due for a replacement. Unfortunately, Windows laptops are not know for their longevity, and depending on how often you use it, they do run down quite quickly when compared to other models.
HP Laptop Battery Charger Gets Hot
If your HP laptop battery charger is heating up to the point that it is painful to the touch, then stopping your laptop from charging, it is likely a problem with where your charger is sitting.
Cause: Laptop Charger Is Unable To Properly Ventilate
If your laptop charger is sitting in a pile of blankets, between a pair of seat cushions, or somewhere else warm and cozy, this can have a negative effect on your charger’s performance.
Laptop chargers can heat up quickly, which is why most chargers have some way to ventilate the system. If you’re blocking that ventilation with objects, the charger will heat even faster, which can cause damage to it and cause it to short out.
On the other hand, if your laptop charger heats up quickly and it isn’t being blocked from ventilation, the charger may have a buildup of dust in its vents.
Solution
If your charger is in an area where there are lots of objects blocking it from breathing, try unplugging it and moving it to a cool, flat surface. After 15 minutes, plug your laptop back in.
If your charger is unobstructed but is still getting far too hot, take it to a specialist and ask if they will clear out the dust for you. You’d be surprised at how much dust and debris can get inside those small vents.
HP Laptop Not Recognizing Charger
Maybe your laptop can charge perfectly fine with one charger but fails to recognize another. That may be frustrating, but it’s good news. Having a defective charger is much more difficult than having a defective laptop!
Cause: Charger Defective
If you have two chargers, test if both are unable to be recognized by the laptop. (Also, make sure you’re using the correct kind of charger!) If one of them works and the other doesn’t, odds are the charger is defective. It could be a frayed wire or damage from a drop, but it’s much easier to replace than your laptop.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on May 13, 2021.
Solution
Take the broken charger to an HP store and see if there’s anything they can do to fix it. If not, it may be worth it to get another one entirely.
One charger that will work for many HP models is the HP USB C Laptop Charger, which will work for most HP models with a USB C port. Check that your laptop is compatible with a USB C port in the technical information.
If not, Laptop Charger for HP Smart Blue Tip has a standard USB A connection. Both are under $30 on Amazon.com.
What Should You Do When All Else Fails?
Maybe you’ve tried all possible solutions but are just coming up empty as to how to fix your uncharged laptop. If so, HP offers an online support bot specifically for battery and adaptor issues.
The advice from HP may not differ so much from this advice, but technology changes all the time, and if you’re buying their latest products, it’s possible that something has changed.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 13, 2021.
If You Need a New Laptop
If you end up needing to purchase a new laptop, consider some of HP’s newer products.
This 2021 HP 14″ HD Laptop comes with multiple options for memory. It features an AMD Ryzen Mobile Processor for faster processing and the 14″ screen is perfectly portable. Still, it isn’t too small to be able to see what you’re doing.
If you’re looking for a cheaper offering, the HP Chromebook 14″ HD Laptop is under $300 on Amazon and comes with high-quality stereo speakers. Chromebooks have minimal memory capacity, and their primary function is to use Google Chrome. However, if you mainly use your computer to access the Internet, a Chromebook may suit all your needs.
Chromebooks also use significantly less power than laptops with full functionality, and their battery will last longer.
Final Thoughts
When your HP laptop doesn’t charge, there are several possible ways to boost your battery. Check that all of your software is updated, then check that none of your hardware is frayed or damaged. Sometimes these are easy fixes, and other times you may have a few steps to go through.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 13, 2021.
HP computers are long-lasting, high-quality, and relatively cheap as compared to other brands on the market. If you run into issues charging your laptop, don’t write off HP and jump to another kind of laptop. It may be as simple as a plug that isn’t all the way in.