dell laptop won't recognize power adapter or charge battery

I had this same problem with my Dell XPS M1210 Laptop when it was under warranty. I called Dell support and they sent me a replacement power supply. That didn't fix it, and then they sent me a replacement battery. That didn't work, and then they sent a technician that replaced the motherboard. Then it worked fine for a few months. Now the problem started up once again, but now it is out of warranty. In researching this issue online, it seems that thousands have people have had this issue with several different Dell models, and for most it was the power supply. However, I'm afraid to pay the money to replace it because it may not be the root cause. I might just have to buy another laptop, and it definitely will not be a Dell.

I've had this problem with my month-old Inspiron 1525. The laptop wouldn't recognize the battery. I'd thought it was the AC adapter since I have read that lots of people have had problems with that, but after spending time on the phone with a Dell technician on Tuesday of this week, he concluded it was a faulty battery and said they'd send a new one. I was so happy when I got home yesterday at the new battery was here already. I immediately put the new battery in, and... SAME D*MN problem! The computer wouldn't recognize this battery, either!

I'm furious and since I can't spend the time on the phone today due to my schedule, I am just trying to figure out any possible reasons why this might be happening in the meantime. Is there some step that Dell has left out of the owner's manual about installing new batteries? I've been so careful to follow directions...

I've had a Dell PC for about 5 years now that never gave me problems, and so I'm definitely taken aback by the difficulties this new laptop has had in the very short time in which I've had it. (The screen will also go white sometimes without warning... if I move the lid forward and backward it will 'pop' back to normal, but I'm sure that's another thing I need to have looked into... for now the battery problem is my main concern.) I'm definitely re-thinking this purchase.

This is uconscienceable! This is my THIRD Dell laptop that has done the exact same thing. The first one was past warranty, took to local computer store where they diagnosed a bad motherboard, bought another (refurbished) from this store and within weeks, same thing...stopped recocgnizing the ac adapter (ORGINAL DELL ADAPTER), while trying to refresh the power settings it died. The store replaced this Dell with an upgrade Dell, now 4 months later the same d@mn thing has happened again. As it seems Dell doesn't wish to address this issue (removing the board is not indicative of cooperation or concern) and it is a recurring and longlasting issue.... I WILL NEVE BUY A DELL LAPTOP AGAIN.

i have the same problem with with Dell Inspiron 6000 -- replaced the battery & power adapter -- same problem. The power adapter doesn't show there a power connected although power adapter and battery is working.

Dell should provide us a solution.... too many people are complaining about the same probleml.

I have a Dell Inspirion 9400 I have replaced the battery 2 times over 2.5 years through normal use. I have purchased On line not from Dell “Genuine Dell AC power adaptor” and 80 watt hour replacement battery at “Half Price” from someone other than Dell and I find as I boot up the system CMos tell me that its not a dell battery and It won’t let it charge “Proprietary Parts” This will be my last Dell Lap top.

Same problem here. First the adaptar wasn't recognized got a new one from local store. Worked fine for a while, then the battery went got a new one of those too.. (niether one "Dell") put the new battery in two days ago and now it's saying the adaptar isn't recognized agian.. it's pathetic That's a lot of money for two years.. Will not be going with Dell agian!

I have gotten the same problem with a new XPS 16. Dell replaced the laptop.... SAME Problem. I just got my second replacement last night and after 3 reboots I got the same message. I did notice there is an option in the bios , that would set the laptop to not check the power supply. This problem aside I love the laptop, but i think i am going to return it. This has been a very frustrating experience.

My 8 month old Latitude D430 won't power from the adapter - it doesn't seem to recognize that it is plugged in. This problem is the 4th serious problem I've had with this laptop in the last 4 weeks - including not recognizing the docking station and now this issue. Dell has replaced my docking station twice and the motherboard twice. I can't believe these issues are still going on. BAD customer service - I should have a new laptop in hand by now. I'm sad that Dell has become so sloppy - i've owned Dells for the last 7 years and this will be my last!

I've got the exact same problem! MIne is an Inspiron 1501. I've used the same power cord for almost a year with no problems. The battery also charged and worked fine. Now......nothing! It won't recognize the cord, the battery or even charge the battery!!!! I had a Dell desktop several years back and replaced it with one a built myself because I didn't like all the propietary crap they like to use and vowed back then to never buy another one. Unfortunately, my husband got a really good deal on this one from Wal Mart. I WILL NEVER EVER buy a Dell again, though. Not after this!!!!!

I thought I'd post a follow-up to this comment thread... I posted about a month ago about this issue. Dell asked me to send the laptop back, sans the hard drive, along with the power cord and everything. It was easy because they sent the box and everything and it was pre-paid (as well it should be!!). I got it back approximately a week later. Ever since, the laptop (I have an Inspiron 1525, also purchased from Walmart) has worked just fine, if not better than before, since they also fixed a problem with the display screen. The adapter is charging the computer and so far, so good. I'm still VERY wary that this problem could happen again! After all, the problem started very suddenly the first time; what if that happens again?

I just wanted to share a little bit of encouraging news...while it lasts. They are capable of fixing the problem, and relatively quickly. But really, by now I hope they are doing some serious re-engineering of their products to fix this issue for GOOD! This is too many people having the exact same problem.

Same Prob and just 1 of many problems I have had out of this thing
...just bought this dell inspiron 1545 from wal-mart in march 2009 and just a couple of days ago it started getting really hot to the touch while charging, mostly around the battery itself and the power pack would also get real hot (I mean enough to burn you a little bit) then the next day it said "plugged in, not charging" then it said that I needed to plug in a dell power adapter (the cord was a dell power adapter) because the system didn't recognize it. Now it will not charge but the battery meter says the battery is good and I'm using the laptop right now with the adapter plugged in so I guess the adapter is not bad. I used to own a gateway for 3 years with not one problem (that I didn't cause myself lol!) but my little brother left for college and he needed a laptop so I gave him my Gateway and thought I would like a new one anyway. The only reason I bought this Dell is because my sister has had her dell for about 5 years with no probs. Hey I wonder if I can con lil bros into trading me for this piece of crap I MISS MY GATEWAY!!!!!!!!!

I also wanted to ask about a warranty how do I find out if I am still under warranty or if I ever had it.

yeah i just got a dell studio 1735 laptop around June with a 2 year warranty and now mine says it don't recognize the adapter and im using the original one, i called dell about it and as soon as i told them what the problem was they said it wasn't there problem and that i should take it up with walmart, so i went back to walmart and they sent me back to dell, i went back and forth between them a few times and well i give up il use this piece of crap for now but I WILL NEVER GET ANOTHER DELL AGAIN

I Too have a E1505 and it won't charge my battery, but worst of all it only runs at half speed and for video processing, this is unforgivable only running at 800 MHz takes forever, and now my keyboard is also acting up and wont type capitals anymore. Who lets this company with so many problems sell these things. I am afraid I might need a new motherboard is what alot of these blogs seem to say.

This problem is caused by a damaged power jack on your laptop. It may not LOOK damaged -- but if you get the 'unidentified' error -- you can bet that you need a 1.99 power jack - and someone to solder it onto your motherboard...

I have repaired many of these and I find it odd that so many people are still in the dark about what causes it...

It's a bad design on the laptop; where the cord gets easily damaged from simply setting it on a soft surface; or holding it on your lap... any pressure on the power cord (even the gravity on the cord itself) can in time break the adaptor thats on the back/side of your laptop...

I have been on the phone with Dell every other day for the pass two weeks. I have an Inspiron 1525 that is still under warranty and I have only had for 9 months.

First, my touch-pad went bad, the left-click broke. They sent out the technicians who fixed it. The tech also bent the speaker cover slightly and told me it would settle itself out which it hasn't. Customer service only apologized for this when they called to follow up on the service call.

Then 2 days later my computer went to go download the Vista Service Pack 2 and got the dreaded 80070490 error message. That error shut down system restore and PC Restore. Then it took me 4 hours on the phone with Dell to re-install the Vista OS.

Then, my caps-lock and number-lock light and the media (volume) lights would flicker on and off whenever i even touched or moved the computer. Also, I noticed that my laptop was not charging. The battery worked in my boyfriends computer and so did the ac adapter but my computer was not registering the computer adapter (the one that originally came with it).
I again I called Technical Support. They stated that the motherboard needed to be replaced as well as the ac adapter.

At this point I am seriously fed up with Dell and this laptop. I am giving them a chance but other than being extremely apologetic they have been extremely disappointing. They definitely are dodging around the issue of replacing the entire laptop. After they repair the motherboard if anything else goes bad I am prepared to ask them none to gently that I would appreciate them sending me a new laptop.

OMG when I signed it it lost all the stuff I typed! What a crappy website this is!

Let me quickly reply to you (again) Ghost:

Your problem isn't Dell's fault - its Bad luck... The broken button could happen to anyone...

The tech they sent didnt make things any better... He obviously SCREWED your computer up MORE when he 'bent' things - he likely broke more than he fixed... must have been some hack just out of school... Did he really say 'It will un bend itself in time' ?? OMG...

The problem you have with Vista - is not dells fault - its Microsofts... GO BACK TO XP -- or get OS7. Vista is - was - and always shall be - GARBAGE.

Those flickering lights and charging issue - is now most likely cause the tech reassembed your laptop incorrectly. He probably has something loose - being pinched - some screws missing - or some other F up that a GOOD tech can find and fix...

When they say the Mobo needs replaced -- that means "We dont have anyone with the skill to solder a replacement dc power jack onto your board so well just throw out the old one and install a new one"

Best of luck - find a good tech;get dell support to send you a GOOD one.
Brian

I have an even BETTER solution!!!! DON'T go through Dell at all to have your laptop/desktop fixed. Go to a well-known,reputable repair tech and let them handle it. Sure, it'll void the warranty,but what good is a warranty if you're never going to actually get your computer "fixed" and you ultimately end up having to replace it?? And we all know that Dell isn't going to pick up the tab on that one.

I agree to never ever buy, promote or recommend any Dell products again!!!

I have a 2-yr old expensive XPS M1330 not recognizing the power cord and not charging. I'm still under warranty but all I got today was we'll send you a new free cord and a pitch for a new battery at my expense. Also, it's running very slowly and she recommended I purchase their software to clean up the machine since after two years what came with the machine probably isn't doing the job anymore. Are they kidding! This was after an online diagnostic where she tried to re-run the tests I'd already told her had failed and had such a strong accent I could barely understand her. She also told me I'd best buy another warranty before too long as it would be more expensive the closer I got to the expiration. I'll never buy nor recommend Dell to any family or friends ever. What a poor excuse for a company.

Exactly right as I've come to find out by reading other posts about this very issue. Too bad Dell won't own up to it and then launches into cross-selling when they should be addressing your issue when you phone. I have another brand laptop that I've never had issue with and while a heavier weight that I deem less portable, I've gone back to using it. Customer service is high on my list and when it's not offered it's a big turnoff.

Dell Latitude D610. It will sit for hours without charging the battery, and then the little green light on the laptop starts to blink, and charging begins. New charger, new battery... no better. Light on charger is always on.... Hard to believe that the connector is bad, and just repairs itself without anyone touching it.

Well, to add oil to this fire.... I had the same problem as many , many dell users reported . Same message: " power supply plugged in battery NOT Charging" Out of shire desperation and after reading all of the posts I started unplugging and plugging the battery . All of a sudden the message appeared " battery charging" I understand that this is likely a short lived moment of happiness, yet you never know...it may help another soul so I decided to make this post. Also, I went through the whole hardware/ software making sure that everything is OK , nothing, business as usual...
Ivana

I’ve seen this type of thing happen when the dell AC adapter was bad. Try purchasing another adapter and see if that works. It doesn’t have to be a DELL. It just has to be the same DC volts and AMPS. That is shown on the back of the adapter.

Don’t go plugging your adapter into another laptop (like some people might suggest). If it is the wrong amperage or DC volts you can damage the laptop! Someone with 10 years experience ought to know that.

more info from
http://www.diggingshop.com/blog/dell-...