If your laptop only works when plugged in, check to see if the battery and adapter are connected correctly. If the battery and adapter are not connecting properly, your laptop may be running on power instead of a battery. If you find that your computer doesn’t turn on without an adapter even after replacing the battery, there may be a problem with internal components. Contact the manufacturer for warranty information or take your computer for repair.
Reasons why Your laptop only works when plugged in
Below are some of the reasons why your laptop only works when plugged in.
The battery isn’t properly Connected
Make sure that the battery is properly sealed and connected to the device by checking for a proper fit between the battery and connector, as well as ensuring that the connector is clean and not cracked. If the connection still does not appear to be correct, it may be necessary to replace the battery.
Low Battery
If your laptop only works when plugged in it may be because of the low battery. You have to fully charge your battery in order to run properly and without a power cable.
Power Management problem
A power management problem is a situation in which an electronic device consumes more power than it is able to generate. This can happen when the device is idle or when it is actively using the power.
Gear syndrome, also called kinetic noise, is a type of power management problem that occurs when a device repeatedly accesses its power source even when there is no work to be done. Gear syndrome can increase the amount of heat produced by the device, which can contribute to damage if power is drawn at a damaging rate.
Therefore, it is important that your laptop computer doesn’t turn off when there’s nothing to do or while in idle time. It may be necessary to acquire an external battery pack or check the settings on your device for possible options that might fix this problem and keep you from turning it completely off when not needed.
Depending on what operating system you have installed, task manager apps also come with a power management feature, allowing you to control how much energy each program consumes when it is running.
You also need to note that turning your computer off will slow down its performance and even prevent the system from starting back up properly which can definitely be troublesome if they are expecting certain files on standby or have many programs that require their services in order for them not to shut down altogether.
If these 3 things above don’t fix the problem then you might want to just disconnect your device and plug it in again to restart.
Cleaning battery physically
A clean battery physically means removing all the dirt, dust, and debris that has accumulated on the battery over time. To clean a battery physically, you’ll need:
- A cloth or paper towel
- Water
- Dust mask or respirator (if cleaning electronic components)
- Safety goggles or glasses
- Rubber gloves
- Bucket or can of lukewarm water
- Baking soda (optional)
To clean a battery physically, take a dry cloth, moisten it with water, and wipe your battery all over to remove any of dirt or dust.
Note: Don’t use cleaning agents that have alcohol in them as these may damage internal components and if exposed enough can cause fires! Those are not safe whatsoever so make sure you don’t touch those parts at all because they’ll get extremely hot after some time making it essential to only handle batteries while wearing latex gloves. Aside from that, don’t do it in a bathroom with an open window so you won’t create toxic fumes and bring your computer to life the most effective way possible!
Once you are certain there is nothing left on your battery then rinse off the water carefully before placing the back cover panel of your laptop or power adapter if applicable and getting ready to turn on your device normally hoping that this time things will go better compared to the last few times.
Wrong Power Settings
- Check your power settings. Make sure that the power is turned on and that the devices are connected to an outlet.
- Try different power settings on your devices. Some devices may work better with a lower or higher power setting.
- Update your software or firmware on your device if you have updated it recently. Software and firmware updates can sometimes fix issues with power settings.
Windows Update
Windows Update is a service built into the Windows 10, 8.1, and 8 operating systems which helps you keep your computer up-to-date with the latest security fixes and software updates from Microsoft.
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How to use Windows Update
To use Windows Update on your computer:
- In Start, search for “Windows Update.”
- Click on the “Windows Update” entry in the results list. (Or choose “Check for updates” to get this done automatically.)
- Your computer will download and install the latest available update from Microsoft’s servers onto your computer. You can also choose to manually check for a specific patch or just wait until it starts checking again at its set interval, which is typically every day. Understanding Windows Update In most cases, it’s best that you not turn off automatic updating of your system software because updates make your life easier and Windows 10, for example, can update itself automatically when you’re on battery power or even while it’s plugged in.
Try these fixes
You can try these fixes in order to fix your battery.
Reinstall your battery driver
If you have an OEM battery driver, you can uninstall it using the Windows Update feature.
To uninstall your OEM battery driver:
- Press “Windows Key + X” to open the Quick Access menu and select Device Manager,
- Right-click on your system’s battery icon or look in Device Manager for the device with a yellow exclamation mark next to it if using Windows 8,
- Click the ‘Properties’ tab after which you can click Uninstall button from the left pane (for instance), enter your Admin password if prompted, and follow instructions afterward until you’ll see the “Clean up your PC’ button and right-click on it
Hard/Power reset your laptop
Hard resetting a laptop usually means removing all power from the laptop by removing the battery, disconnecting the power cord, and turning off the laptop. Afterward, hold down the power button for a few seconds until you see a blue light and hear a beep. release the power button and wait 10 minutes before reconnecting the power cord and turning on your laptop.
Troubleshoot the hardware issues
If you are having trouble with your hardware, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the issue. First, check to see if the power is working properly by checking to see if the light on the plug is on. If it is not, you may need to replace the power cord. Next, make sure that all of your cables and connectors are plugged incorrectly. If you are still having trouble, you can try resetting your laptop. Restarting the computer will “reset” all of the settings and clear most, if not all issues that are causing a problem for you.
Check for corrupt system files
Run the command from a command prompt. If the corruption is located in system files, Windows will report that it cannot repair or restore the file. You will need to reinstall Windows.
Check to See If You’re Plugged in
To check if you’re plugged in, plug in an electrical device and wait a few minutes. If the device starts up then you are plugged in.
What are some other ways to power a laptop?
There are many other ways to power a laptop besides using an AC adapter. You can use a battery, solar panel, or USB port to power your laptop.
Using a battery: One way to power a laptop with a battery is to use a portable charger. Portable chargers are small and lightweight and can be easily carried around. They also have multiple ports so you can charge multiple devices at the same time.
Using solar panels: Another way to power a laptop is to use solar panels. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to power your laptop. Just make sure that your laptop has the correct type of solar panel and that it is installed in an optimal location for sunlight exposure.
Using USB ports: If you don’t have access to any of the other options mentioned above, you can still power your laptop using USB ports. Just plug in your USB cable and your laptop will start charging from the wall outlet.
FAQ
What if the plug doesn’t fit in my outlet or computer case when charging up my device?
If the plug doesn’t fit in your outlet or computer case when charging up your device, it is likely that the outlet or computer case has a too-small cord size. You can purchase an adapter to change the cord size.
What is the best way to power a laptop without an outlet?
There are a few ways to power a laptop without an outlet.
The first way is to use a portable charger. These chargers have multiple ports that allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time.
Another way is to use a solar panel. Solar panels can be attached to the outside of your laptop or used in conjunction with a battery pack. This allows you to use your laptop while it is charging from the sun.
Finally, you can also use a USB-C adapter. These adapters have multiple ports that allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time.
Can I use my phone charger as a portable battery pack for my laptop?
Yes, you can use your phone charger as a portable battery pack for your laptop. You just need to make sure that the phone charger is compatible with the laptop and that the voltage and wattage are appropriate for the battery pack.
How do you fix a laptop that won’t turn on without a charger?
There are a few things that you can do in order to fix a laptop that won’t turn on without a charger.
First, make sure that the battery is fully charged. If the battery is completely drained, then the laptop may not be able to start up.
If the battery is fully charged but the laptop still won’t turn on, try plugging in the charger and turning on the laptop. If this doesn’t work, then it may be necessary to replace the motherboard or hard drive.
Why won’t my laptop turn on unless it’s plugged in?
There could be a few reasons why your laptop will not turn on unless it is plugged in.
One possibility is that the battery is dead and needs to be replaced. To check if the battery is dead, plug in your laptop to an outlet and see if the computer turns on. If it does not, then the battery might be dead and needs to be replaced.
Another possibility is that there may be a problem with the power cord. Try connecting your laptop to another power source like a wall outlet or a power strip in case the original power cord is defective.
If neither of these solutions works, then you may need to take your laptop to a service center for diagnosis.