Octopus Overlords

My Dell laptop is down to 9% and won't charge.

When I plug it in (original Dell charger), I get the "plugged in but not charging" message.

The internet tells me this is not an isolated problem and there can several reasons for this.

I've done everything, except update the BIOS. I haven't updated the BIOS because you need at least 10% battery life and I indeed have 9%.

The internet also tells me I can force the BIOS install by doing some type of DOS command. I haven't done this because I'm afraid the laptop will die before the install is complete and I'm screwed if this happens.

So I'm wondering if I have any other options?

I've taken the battery out, clean the ends to the charger, checked the battery in the BIOS (and it says it's life is good), etc.

Any suggestions? I'd like my laptop back.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Daehawk wrote:http://en.community.dell.com/support-fo ... t/19451836

Literally did everything recommended in that post.

I'm going out to buy another charger tomorrow and hope that will fix it.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Do you have any options to get your battery charged from Another Laptop (someone at work, for instance) - and then use that newly charged battery to play with the BIOS?

Unagi wrote:Do you have any options to get your battery charged from Another Laptop (someone at work, for instance) - and then use that newly charged battery to play with the BIOS?

Why would he need to do that? Maybe I misunderstood but I thought it worked off the power cord but wouldn't charge the battery.

Daehawk wrote:

Unagi wrote:Do you have any options to get your battery charged from Another Laptop (someone at work, for instance) - and then use that newly charged battery to play with the BIOS?

Why would he need to do that? Maybe I misunderstood but I thought it worked off the power cord but wouldn't charge the battery.

Hmm, I guess I'm confused a little too.

It's not charging.
And he'd like it to charge.... but the last thing seems to be a BIOS upgrade.

It sounds like: Plugged In or Not - it won't do the BIOS upgrade unless the battery has a stronger charge - and he can't get his laptop to give his battery a charge...

Good catch. I forgot some stuff wont do an update without a full battery. Catch 22 going on.

Are you sure it's not a bad battery? Maybe order one from somewhere you can return it.

I ordered a new charger and will be here tomorrow. Hoping that works.

The BIOS says the battery is good and it's only 18 months old.

This is a known issue I guess with Dell computers. Just hoping a new charger works.

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Xmann wrote:I ordered a new charger and will be here tomorrow. Hoping that works.

The BIOS says the battery is good and it's only 18 months old.

This is a known issue I guess with Dell computers. Just hoping a new charger works.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Just keep us posted. We Care!

New charger did not work, down to 1%.

I have the battery disabled and I'm running off the charger. Any reason why I can't continue to do this?

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If the laptop is receiving power from being plugged in, you shouldn't need a battery at all. Remove the battery, if it starts, you can update the bios without a problem.

I bought a battery for my Dell when that happened.

Kasey Chang wrote: ↑Sun Oct 01, 2017 11:08 am I bought a battery for my Dell when that happened.

This. It's 1) A dying power supply, 2) a loose battery, 3) an old battery that doesn't charge anymore.

2) is the easiest to fix. 3) is the almost always the case.

I suppose 4) is something is interfering between the powersupply and the battery. I have never seen it but it's got to be a possibility.

ya, just using the power supply at this point and not worrying about battery

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

My wife's 5 year old laptop is doing the same thing. Gateway nv29 I believe. There is a fix to at least get your battery charging. It may stop charging again but should work to get your charged.

Shut down.
Take out battery.
Boot up.
Go to device manager and under batteries, delete Microsoft AC Adapter and Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.
Shut down.
Insert battery.
Boot up.

Windows will reinstall the drivers and your battery should now be charging when plugged in. Try that and see if it works.

nope, no dice. didn't work.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Well crud.

Okay.

Windows key + x
Windows PowerShell
Type: powercfg /batteryreport

It'll save an HTML file in c:\users\name called batteryreport.html. (check in c root of not there).

Scroll down to about halfway. There's a column for like battery health I think. It'll show how much it can charge. Might be something that points to a hardware error if the numbers are real low. It's like design capacity in one column and available capacity or something. If those numbers are fine then you might still want to replace the battery just make sure you can return it if it doesn't help.

Then you'll know the problem is either hardware in laptop or software. Try a format also.

It's like poking around in the dark.