Strange laptop power issue

[zaozzie]

Since last week my laptop when plugged in shows "plugged in, not charging" when I'm at home. Then I go to work it does charge the battery and shows charging.

 

[BouncyNinja]

Since last week my laptop when plugged in shows "plugged in, not charging" when I'm at home. Then I go to work it does charge the battery and shows charging.

Battery showing signs of aging

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

Silly question - have you checked the wall plug at home?

Could be the circuit is overloaded?

 

[zaozzie]

Battery showing signs of aging

New battery

 

[zaozzie]

Silly question - have you checked the wall plug at home?

Could be the circuit is overloaded?

I think the laptop is not getting enough juice to do both charging and powering the machine so it only powers the machine. Something with this house's electricity setup

 

[ashfaak]

I'm going to assume you're using the same charger in both locations.

Your laptop is not reaching a threshold current that would allow it to output "plugged in, charging" (imagine filling a fuel tank while revving an engine to the red line, so that the fuel is being used faster than the tank can be refilled).

It is possible that your supply voltage at home is lower than your supply voltage at work, which could be caused by many things (distance to substation, load, old wiring, other stuff maybe).

You could try charging the laptop while it is shutdown, and then checking to see the status of the battery an hour or so later,
or you could see if it works in the early hours of the morning. Some time before 6 should be ok.

A charger which works with a lower/variable input voltage, or that outputs a slightly higher voltage should trigger the message.

It is possible that you're only seeing this message now because your battery is getting old, so a battery replacement might be another option.

 

[qwertydudeza]

Since last week my laptop when plugged in shows "plugged in, not charging" when I'm at home. Then I go to work it does charge the battery and shows charging.

Is that it a Dell? Had this with about 10 machines, had to replace powersupplies. Dell replaced thos under warranty

 

[zaozzie]

Is that it a Dell? Had this with about 10 machines, had to replace powersupplies. Dell replaced thos under warranty

Yes it is a Dell laptop. Other devices work fine on that power point.

 

[qwertydudeza]

Yes it is a Dell laptop. Other devices work fine on that power point.

It's the power pack. Chances are your battery was fine.

 

[milan188]

Do you use the same charger for home and work?

 

[zaozzie]

Do you use the same charger for home and work?

yes. battery is new