HB LaptopsLaptop not charging? Charger, port or battery: how to tell
How to tell whether a laptop that won't charge has a bad charger, a loose charging port or a worn battery.
When a laptop stops charging, there are three usual suspects: the charger, the charging port, or the battery. Here's how to narrow it down.
It might be the charger if:
- The light on the charger is off, or it only works at certain angles.
- The cable is frayed, bent sharply, or warm at one spot.
- A different charger that fits your laptop works fine.
It might be the charging port if:
- The plug feels loose or wobbly when it's in.
- It charges only when you hold the cable a certain way.
- The port looks bent, burnt or has lint packed inside. (Don't dig in it with metal.)
It might be the battery if:
- The laptop works when plugged in but dies right away when unplugged.
- The battery percentage jumps around or gets stuck.
- Windows or macOS shows a battery warning (on a Mac, look in Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health).
- The laptop bottom or keyboard is bulging. Stop using it and bring it in, since a swollen battery shouldn't keep charging.
Watch out for cheap replacement chargers. A charger with the wrong power rating can charge slowly, run hot, or not work at all. If you buy one, match the brand's power rating.
What we do: we test the charger, the port and the battery separately, so you only pay for the part that's actually bad. Diagnosis is free, and you get the price in writing before any work.
Stop by our shop on Adams Ave in Huntington Beach, check in online at hblaptops.com/check-in, or call (714) 962-0696.
Related repairs: Laptop charging port repair · Laptop battery replacement
Questions? Call (714) 962-0696 or check in online. More tips
Bring it in today. We'll take it from here.
Walk in Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, and Saturday 10am to 2pm, or call or text and talk to a real person.