Lenovo is a very popular electronics manufacturer that specializes in computers and related hardware such as docking stations. Typically, a docking station will work out of the box, but if it doesn’t, here is how to fix a Lenovo docking station when your laptop doesn’t charge.
In general, ensure you have Lenovo Vantage, and that it’s up to date, and ensure your Thunderbolt drivers are up to date, if you are using a Thunderbolt port. Also, ensure you’re using the charging cable is compatible. For example, you are using a USB-C cable, not a Thunderbolt cable.
You should first check if your Lenovo laptop is using Thunderbolt USB ports, by looking at the specifications for your laptop make and model. If it’s using a different type of USB port such as USB-C then you don’t need to update the Thunderbolt drivers. But, if your laptop is using Thunderbolt ports, ensure the Thunderbolt firmware is up to date.
According to the official Thunderbolt website, to update the Thunderbolt drivers on a Lenovo laptop, refer to this page on the official Lenovo website. From there you enter in the model number for your Lenovo laptop that is located on the underside of your laptop. It will then display a list of the software, search this list for Thunderbolt firmware, and download and run it to install it.
Reasons Why Lenovo Docking Station Is Not Charging Laptop
There are a limited number of reasons why a docking station is not charging your laptop. It’s not possible to know which of these is the cause ahead of time. But, here are the top 5 reasons why your docking station is not charging your laptop.
Overall, your laptop or docking station has a software glitch, your laptop battery needs to be restarted, the charging cable is the wrong type, the BIOS needs to be updated, or the docking station is defective.
Here is a brief rundown of why each of these reasons causes a docking station to not charge a laptop. After that, I will cover the troubleshooting steps to fix each of these issues.
1. Your laptop and/or docking station has a software glitch
As you are likely aware, laptops use an operating system such as Windows, or GoogleOS. But, docking stations also have software, and a different category of software called firmware.
These software are responsible for all the functionality on your laptop. It’s common for there to be a minor glitch in the software that stops specific things from working such as the USB ports, or charging ports.
2. Your laptop battery has a glitch
A laptop battery is a stand alone hardware component on most laptops, and can be removed from your laptop very easily. The battery itself can have a glitch that stops it from receiving charge, or charge from specific devices such as a docking station.
3. The charging cable is incompatible with your laptop
Not all cables that come with docking stations are compatible with all laptops. It’s common for the cable to be the wrong type for a specific device. There are a few different types of USB cables, such as USB-B, and USB-C.
As well as, thunderbolt USB cables, that look almost identical to USB-C cables. Each of the types of USB cables also has a few different types.
Even though the ports all look the same. It’s very possible the USB cable that came with your docking station is the wrong type for your laptop.
4. The BIOS on your laptop is out of date
The BIOS on a computer is software that is the closest to the hardware on your computer, such as the motherboard, and RAM. The operating system you have, such as Windows, is controlled by the BIOS. But, generally, the BIOS is rarely used on a computer.
Top laptop manufacturers like Dell state that the BIOS being out of date is a key reason why a laptop will not charge on a docking station. If the BIOS is out of date it won’t recognize when it’s plugged in.
5. The docking station is defective
Lastly, the docking station can be defective. It has a manufacturer’s fault and simply does not work. This occurs as a result of an error made when the docking station was manufactured, or when it was transported to you.
Fixes for Lenovo Docking Station Not Charging Laptop
There are specific troubleshooting steps you should try to resolve each of these issues. In some cases, they will fix a different minor issue at the same time. These are what the top 5 fixes are for a docking station that is not charging a laptop.
Overall, restart your laptop, then unplug your docking station from the wall outlet and plug it back in again. After that, use the battery reset button on your laptop (if it has one), ensure the USB cable is the right type, and update the BIOS. Finally, contact your docking station manufacturer.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on April 20, 2023.
Here are step by step step instructions for each of the troubleshooting steps you should do. Do each one, one by one.
1. Reset your laptop and docking station and install the latest software
Restart your laptop using the options in the operating system you are using. For example, on Windows open the start menu, and click on Shut Down, then select restart. See if it’s now charging.
If not, restart your docking station by unplugging it from the power. You can either unplug it at the wall, or unplug the power cable at the back of your docking station. After that plug it back in.
Laptops also have drivers that control the ports on a laptop such as the charging ports and USB ports. Check that these are up to date by going into the Device Manager in Windows, and checking for updates for the charging ports and USB ports.
2. Reset the battery
The battery on your laptop has a driver that is controlled by the operating system on your laptop. The driver can have a glitch. But, there is also a reset switch on many laptop batteries.
This is used to fix specific issues with your laptop battery. Not all laptops have this reset button. It’s a tiny pinhole that is located underneath the battery, or on the underside of your laptop.
It needs to be pressed in using something thin and rigid, like a paperclip, or the small tool you use to remove the sim card slot on a smartphone. If you can’t locate the battery reset button, check the owners manual for your specific make and model of laptop. The model number is located on a sticker on the underside of the battery.
Another less effective method is to remove the battery by taking it out, and putting it back in again. There is usually one or two clips you slide across next to the battery to remove it.
3. Check compatibility of the charging cable with manufacturer
Charging cables, such as USB cables, are not universal. So, you need to check if the charging cable you are using is the right type for your laptop. Download the online version of the owners manual for your laptop, your paper manual, or look at the specs for your laptop online to see what type of charging cable it needs.
Then verify you are using the right cable. These are typically very cheap, so buy one if you are unsure what type you are using.
4. Update the BIOS for your laptop
Updating the BIOS is fairly easy, but there are a few key steps. These include disabling what is called Bitlocker, and ensuring files you want to back up are backed up. As it’s possible you can lose files on your laptop.
Do a Google or YouTube search for how to update the BIOS for your specific brand of laptop. Such as, Asus, Lenovo, or Samsung. And follow the instructions to update the BIOS.
5. Contact the manufacturer to report that the docking station is defective
Finally, if it’s still not charging the docking station is almost guaranteed to be defective, and the manufacturer will repair or replace it for you. Contact your docking station manufacturer, and report the problem. They will advise you what to do next.
Troubleshooting a Lenovo Docking Station That Does Not Charge
A docking station for a laptop makes a workspace more permanent, while giving you the flexibility to unplug one device to unplug everything, and move somewhere else with your laptop. Docking stations like all electronic devices can sometimes have issues, such as not charging your laptop.
In general, if your docking station has previously worked to charge your laptop, reset your docking station by unplugging it from the wall outlet and plug it back in. Then restart your laptop. After that, ensure all cables are plugged in all the way. If it has never worked, refer to the steps below.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 20, 2023.
It’s possible the charging cable – commonly a USB-C is the wrong type for your laptop, the BIOS on your laptop needs to be updated, or the docking station is defective. Please refer to the article above for the top reasons why your docking station is not charging your laptop, as well as the troubleshooting steps to fix each issue.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 20, 2023.