Laptop not Charging?
Is your laptop plugged in but not charging? When you have an urgent work assignment or school homework due soon and your laptop doesn’t turn on, it can be a major source of stress, especially if it’s your only computer and you don’t back up your files. Fortunately, the most common cause of this is a broken charger and they are easy to replace. Bring it to us before the battery is completely flat. You might need a new charger, new battery or board-level repair
Is It a Broken Charger?
Most laptops nowadays still use their own proprietary chargers, meaning you have to use one from the same brand. However, if you have several laptops made by the same manufacturer, chances are, their chargers will be compatible with each other.
Business (like HP ProBook and EliteBook) and consumer-grade (HP Pavilion and Envy) laptops usually have different types of chargers. Some laptop makers (looking at you Lenovo!) have five or even more different types of chargers, with some very obscure models in the mix.
In addition to the connector size and type, the voltage of the charger must be the same. The wattage can be larger and, in some cases, smaller, but with no guarantees that the charger will actually work. A 90W charger will always charge a laptop that requires 65W, but the reverse may not be true.
Many modern laptops use USB Type C for charging, and it’s quickly becoming the industry standard, which means you can use pretty much any charger of the same or higher wattage to charge your laptop. Compact and light laptops that don’t require a lot of power (like Apple MacBook Air) can even be charged using your car’s 12V port.
Is It an Old Battery?
If your battery is in really bad shape, it’s time to replace it! Both Windows and macOS will alert you when the battery is about to fail but you’ll notice the early warning signs long before. Sometimes, your battery will only last for just a few minutes or an hour, sometimes it won’t charge at all.
Older computers usually have a user-serviceable battery, meaning you can replace it by yourself in less than a minute! Modern laptops require disassembly to replace the battery, so it’s better to take it to a computer repair shop such as us.
Be careful when ordering batteries online though. We only recommend original batteries from the manufacturer. Most batteries sold online are actually 3rd party. They are cheaper but of lower quality as well. They’ll probably work ok but don’t expect them to last long. There are stories of cheap and counterfeit batteries expanding and even catching on fire!
Is It the DC Jack?
A broken DC jack (laptop power port) can frequently cause the laptop to stop charging. When the battery is completely flat, it won’t even turn on anymore.
A laptop’s DC power jack is a crucial component since it connects the charger to the device, allowing battery charging and powering the laptop. If this jack is faulty, it may lead to the laptop not charging or failing to receive power, even when plugged in. Various factors can lead to issues with the DC power jack.
This usually happens due to physical damage. Rough handling, such as yanking the charger cord, can loosen or break the jack. Repeated plugging and unplugging of the power cord can wear out the jack over time.
Sometimes the charger will only work at a certain angle or when you apply pressure to it. Don’t wait too long, as it will only get worse. We can replace your DC jack.
Most DC jacks replacements are $120-150. If your laptop has a soldered or USB-C jack, these will be around $250.
Need a Quote?
For quicker response, please call or text. We can provide free quotes for simple jobs.
If your computer has several issues or you need personalized help, it’s best to come and see us.
No appointment needed unless you need service the same day. Walk-ins are welcome.
We are working from home and have free guest parking easily accessible by driving north on Sandgate Road.