Windows 10 laptop plugged in but not charging? How to fix it

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Laptops come with the convenience of being able to use them anywhere, until the battery backup ends. After that, you need to charge it up. However, there have often been complaints from Windows 10 users that their laptops aren’t charging even when the power cable is plugged in and the laptop is showing that the power cable is plugged in (battery icon in the system tray). If you have also come across such an issue, then don’t worry, it is not a new one, and in most cases, you can fix the Windows 10 laptop plugged in but not charging issue.

Basic checks to fix the issue

There could be a few reasons why your laptop may have this issue, like a software glitch, hardware issue or an issue with the power supply. You may also experience the said issue if you have just upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

Before detailing the trick to fix the Windows 10 laptop plugged in but not charging issue, there are a few basic checks that you need to perform. These are:

  • Make sure that the laptop plugs and AC outlet are firmly plugged in.
  • Ensure that all removable cords are inserted properly.
  • Make sure that the battery is inserted properly.
  • Check to make sure the laptop is not overheating. If it is, then remove the battery, and insert it back in after a few minutes.

After performing these checks, if you are still facing the issue, then you should use the below trick.

How to fix Windows 10 laptop plugged in but not charging issue

Follow the below steps to fix the Windows 10 laptop plugged in but not charging issue:

Step 1: Go to the Device Manager. You can do so by searching for it in the search bar, or right-clicking the Start button and then selecting Device Manager.

Step 2: Click on the Batteries option to get more options – Microsoft AC Adapter and Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.

Step 3: Right-click on each option and select Uninstall device. This will uninstall the laptop’s battery drivers, but don’t worry, the drivers will install automatically once you restart the laptop.

Step 4: Now shut down your laptop and unplug the power cable.

Step 5: If your laptop’s battery is removable, then remove it.  Reinsert the battery after waiting a couple of minutes. You can skip this step if your laptop’s battery can’t be removed.

Step 6: Plug the power cable back in and power on the laptop.

Step 7: Now check the battery icon in the system tray. Hopefully, it will now show plugged in and charging.

More tricks to fix the issue

If the above trick does not fix the Windows 10 laptop plugged in but not charging issue, you can try a few more tricks. A few laptops have a feature called Battery Charge Threshold, which allows the user to customize the value. Your laptop won’t charge if the battery hits the threshold. To overcome this, you need to turn on the Battery Charge Threshold feature.

Another trick to fix the issue is to run the Windows Power Troubleshooter. To do this, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot. Now, scroll down to the Power section and click on Run the troubleshooter.

You can also try removing the battery if your laptop has a removable battery. First, take out the battery, and then hold the power button down for a few seconds to drain any power left. Now, with the battery still out, plug in the power cable and turn on the laptop. If the laptop starts up properly, it would suggest that the power adapter is working as intended and the issue is with the battery. Now, put the battery back in and check if everything is working as expected. If the issue still persists, then you need to replace the battery.

You can also try by checking the Power Settings. To do this, open the Start menu on your Windows 10 laptop and search for “Power & Sleep Settings.” Now click on “Additional Power Settings” and then “Change Plan Settings.” Check if all the settings are as expected, such as for battery, display and sleep options. If you have some confusion about the settings, then restore the power profile to default settings.

If these tricks don’t work, then you must contact customer service.

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