Solved! Battery Not Charging While Plugged in.

Daak12

Estimable
Apr 12, 2014
2
0
4,510
Hi I have a Dell XPS12 9Q23 Ultrabook with windows 10 pro 64 that I bought used and have only had about 4 months. When I got it it had windows 10 pro 64 installed and the charging worked fine. Then I reinstalled win 10 pro 64 myself and installed all the drivers from dell along with it. Soon after I started to notice the laptop would be plugged in but say "Not Charging". I tried a few fixes and updated bios and nothing works consistently. I have noticed in the past that turning the plug (and mini plug adapter) while its plugged in will trigger the battery to start charging. Also re-plugging in at the PC and re-plugging in the AC Adapter at the wall as *sometimes* caused the battery to charge. However, for the past week nothing will cause the battery to charge. The battery has gone down to nothing and if the PC isnt plugged in, it wont run. The AC adapter ive been using the whole time is a:

Dell PA-3E Slim AC Adapter DP/N 0CM889 / CM889, FA90PE1-00 Genuine
90watt
PA-3E Family
DP/N 0CM88
MODEL: FA90PE1-00
Input: 100-240V 1.5A
Output: 19.5V 4.62A

I think the netbook ships with a lower watt AC adapter but I dont think this should matter.
So I just wondered if theres any special driver or fix I can do so that it charges again. I havent taken the battery out because I have to unscrew a bunch of screws to get the case apart but I am willing to do that if thats a fix.
 
Solution
Try charging it when the laptop is turned off. Not hibernate or sleep but actually shut off. If it will charge then, but not when on, then the charger is the likely culprit. However, if it still won't charge even then, I would start looking at the battery needing replacing.
Try charging it when the laptop is turned off. Not hibernate or sleep but actually shut off. If it will charge then, but not when on, then the charger is the likely culprit. However, if it still won't charge even then, I would start looking at the battery needing replacing.
 
Solution

Daak12

Estimable
Apr 12, 2014
2
0
4,510
I think the internal power connector is bent or not connecting firmly enough to trigger the battery to charge. I tried firmly holding the plug against the connector at different angles which triggered the battery to start charging again. Whats weird is it keeps charging even after I let the connector go loose again. This tells me that the software that tells the battery to start charging is super fussy and annoying.