How to Fix a Windows 11 Laptop That's Plugged In but Isn't Charging
Staying up-to-date with Windows updates is crucial to maintain smooth system performance and ensure data security. However, occasionally, an update may lead to conflicts that disrupt normal operations. For instance, after installing a recent Windows update, my laptop encountered an issue where the battery ceased to charge properly. Despite indicating that it was plugged in, the laptop would intermittently display a message suggesting otherwise, causing frustration.
Fortunately, I discovered that this problem was not uncommon and often occurred post-update. Even more fortunately, a simple solution existed. While I haven't encountered this issue since transitioning to Windows 11, the method I used to resolve it remains applicable, as the Device Manager interface has remained consistent. If you encounter similar battery charging problems, you might find the following steps helpful in restoring functionality to your laptop:
If your laptop is plugged in but not charging the battery, follow these steps to potentially resolve the issue:
1. Open Device Manager by searching for it or right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager.
2. Expand the Batteries section in Device Manager. You should see two items: Microsoft AC Adapter and Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.
3. Right-click on each item and choose Uninstall device. This will uninstall your laptop's battery drivers, but they will be automatically reinstalled upon restarting your laptop.
4. Shut down your laptop.
5. Unplug the power cable.
6. If your laptop has a removable battery, take it out. If not, you may need to access the battery by removing the bottom panel.
7. Reinsert the battery (if applicable).
8. Plug in your laptop.
9. Power on your laptop.
10. Check the battery icon in the system tray; it should indicate that your laptop is now plugged in and charging.
This method worked for the author's Lenovo laptop, but results may vary depending on the manufacturer.
If this doesn't resolve the issue, consider these additional fixes:
- **Update Windows:** Open Settings, choose Windows Update, and click the Check for updates button to ensure your system is up to date.
- **Restore Windows to an earlier point:** If you previously created restore points, you can try reverting to a time when your battery was functioning correctly. Open the Control Panel, search for Recovery, click Open System Restore, then select a restore point from before the battery issue occurred.
