Laptop Charging But not Turning On: Why & How to Fix

Everything you need to get work laptop working normally again

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Key notes

  • The laptop charging but not turning on issue can be caused by a faulty CMOS battery.
  • A quick and simple way to fix this issue is to drain the residual power on your PC.
  • Another effective solution is to replace the CMOS battery altogether.
PC charges won't turn on

In the midst of peculiar power-related errors, we can’t skip the one where users are informed that the laptop battery is charging or it’s charged (via LED indicator), but they can’t manage to turn the laptop on.

There are multiple reasons for this, and troubleshooting hardware-related issues are hard when you are on this side of the monitor.

Nonetheless, we still have a few possible solutions that, if the problem is still persistent, at least give you a better insight into what’s happening.

Why is my laptop charging but not turning on?

Below are some of the potential causes of the laptop charging but not turning on issue:

  • Faulty CMOS battery: One of the most common causes of this problem is a faulty CMOS battery. You need to replace this battery to fix this issue.
  • Malfunctioning power cord: Another cause of this problem is a faulty power cord. You need to ensure there is no breach anywhere and replace the cord if needed.

What to do when computer charges the battery but won’t turn on

1. Inspect power cord, adapter, and battery

Even though they differ, charging issues on laptops (or similar mobile devices, for that matter) are mostly inflicted by hardware malfunction. There are 4 obvious factors we can suspect when something like this happens:

  • The battery is dying on you.
  • Power cord parts are malfunctioning. Either cable, jack, or adapter is physically damaged
  • The motherboard is damaged. The short circuit might’ve burned the motherboard chips or transistor capacitors.
  • The power button is broken. This happens rarely, but it’s still a possibilitycomputer charges then stops

With that in mind, we can only hope that one of the first two is in question. Motherboards for laptops are quite expensive, and power button repair requires expertise.

computer charges then stops

In addition, make sure that you’re using an appropriate adapter. Some users that have had charging issues used the wrong power cords.

On the backside of every laptop, you should find the exact input voltage and current you’ll need to meet to charge your device without any issues.

On the other hand, if you’re positive about the functionality of the aforementioned parts, make sure to continue with the troubleshooting.

2. Unplug peripherals and remove the battery

Another thing you can do is remove the battery and try to boot with the DC adapter solely. Sometimes, despite the LED light informing you that the battery is full, the battery might be faulty.

It’s one thing to hold a charge and another to transfer to a machine. Also, make sure that all peripheral devices are unplugged.

A small short circuit within a faulty USB port can also prevent the computer from starting. If this enables you to start your PC, check the USB ports one by one to identify the one causing the problem.

3. Drain residual power

A residual power is an electrical charge stored in almost every electric device. Once you turn off your device, even without the power source, it’ll store some electric charge.

Occasionally, some parasitic capacitance in the transistors might ‘trick’ the device and block the battery charge.

This common troubleshooting step for various devices might help you resolve the problem. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Unplug the DC power cord from the laptop.
  2. Remove the battery.
  3. Press and hold the Power button for a while. It’s a common delusion that needs holding for 30 seconds or so. One second is quite fine.
  4. Connect the DC power cord, but don’t insert the battery.
  5. Power on your PC and look for changes.
  6. If you’ve succeeded, turn off the computer again, unplug the power cord, and reinsert the battery.

4. Replace the CMOS battery

A fairly common issue when a computer shows no signs of life is a bad CMOS battery. This usually happens when your PC is a few years old, or the battery is removed for long periods in the case of a laptop.

To replace your CMOS battery, follow these steps:

  1. Open the computer case and find the battery (usually located on the motherboard).
  2. Write down all the information located on the battery.
  3. Remove the cell. Some computers don’t have a removable battery. In this case, please contact the computer manufacturer.
  4. Insert a new battery.
  5. Turn on the PC, reset the CMOS values to defaults and save before exiting.
Tip icon Tip
Disclaimer: hardware changes are for advanced users only and are done at your own risk. Keep in mind that some hardware changes may lead to voiding your warranty. If you do not understand the steps or don’t feel uncomfortable disassembling your PC, please refer to a professional.

That should do it. We hope that this was enough to get you going.

On the other hand, if you cannot start your PC even though the LED lights inform you that the battery is charging or it’s already fully charged, we advise you to take the matter to professionals.

These are common laptop issues, and the repair rates are not high if we presume that the motherboard is fully functional.

If you are facing other issues, like the laptop won’t turn on without the charger plugged in, check our detailed guide to fix it.

We’re always there for questions, suggestions, or possible alternative solutions. Make sure to post those in the comments section below.

More about the topics: BIOS, windows 10 fix