If your laptop isn’t charging, don’t assume you need to take it to a laptop repair technician right away. Before you seek professional help, there are a few things you can do at home to remedy the issue. In many situations, a laptop may not be charging for a simple reason; here are a few of those reasons as well as simple, quick fixes.

4 Reasons You’re Having Trouble Charging Your Laptop

The Battery

In some cases, a faulty or worn-out battery could be the problem. Test your battery by removing it from the laptop and holding down the laptop’s power button for 15-20 seconds. This drains excess power built up in the computer and allows for you to test where the power is coming from. Without putting the battery back into the computer, plug it in and try to power it up. If it powers up normally, this indicates a problem with the battery. If it doesn’t power up, contact a laptop repair technician as there may be an underlying issue that needs to be repaired.

The USB-C Port

A common mistake that could result in your laptop not charging is attempting to charge via the wrong USB-C port. There are many ports on your computer, and some are designed solely to transfer data while others allow for charging capabilities. Most laptops have two ports, one for data transfer and one for the charger. If you are having trouble charging, try using a different port.

The Charging Cable

If you have checked the previous laptop charging issues and the problem still hasn’t been identified, take the time to examine the power cable. Flex the cable to feel for kinks or brittle sections, as these can cause a disruption that prevents charging. Additionally, look for frayed wires, especially near either end of the cable. If you do suspect a problem with the cable, try using a different charging cord. If you don’t have a spare, you can usually pick up a quality charging cable from a computer and printer repair shop. This is often the better option, rather than picking up a substandard cord from a department store that will fray or kink in a short amount of time.

The Electrical Outlet

Sometimes, neither the computer nor the power cable is the problem. Before you rush off to see a laptop repair technician, consider whether or not you’re using a low-voltage outlet. Every outlet in your home is not designed to provide an adequate amount of energy to charge or power electronics. Often, if this is the case, you may notice the lights dimming or blinking as you plug in your laptop. Try using a different outlet or charging through a power strip to see if a poor electrical outlet is the cause of your charging issue.

Alpha Laser Richmond Corp. is located in Staten Island, NY and provides quality repair services for a range of technical problems to all five boroughs in New York City. In addition to selling printer ink and recycling spent cartridges for virtually every brand of printer, they also repair computers, printers, and related equipment. To learn more about the services they offer, you can visit their website. If you have a specific question, call them at (718) 317-1263.