I've had my HP laptop for around 7 years, and recently I've been getting a warning that the battery is aging and has lost all capacity. I replaced the battery about 4 years ago, and at that time, it was bulging. Until now, the laptop would run on AC power when plugged in, but now it won't even boot up when connected to the adapter. When switched on, the charging indicator starts blinking and shows that the battery is at 0%, even though it's plugged in. Just a few days ago, it would sometimes recognize the power connection, but now it doesn't show that it's plugged in at all. The weird part is that if I unplug the charger, the laptop shuts down immediately. I checked the battery, and there are no signs of damage, so I don't think the battery is the problem. I really need my laptop to work but want to avoid an expensive repair just for a checkup. Any advice would be appreciated!
4 Answers
Yeah, I think the battery is definitely gone, but beware of potential issues with the power board too. Without addressing that, your laptop might not run reliably even with a new battery.
You should look into whether your specific laptop model has any known issues with its battery or charging circuit. It might relate to a fault with the power plug port or something else getting shorted out. Given the age of your laptop and that you replaced the battery four years ago, it's possible the new one is just at the end of its life too. Old batteries don’t always bulge, so checking visually isn't foolproof. If you can, try power cycling: unplug everything, hold the power button for 30 seconds, then reconnect everything. And if it’s not vital to use, consider disconnecting the battery for safety. Also, if there's a repair café nearby, they might help diagnose it for a small fee.
Sounds like your battery might indeed be dead. Have you tried updating the firmware? Sometimes that helps, but honestly, it sounds like the laptop might be reaching the end of its life. The motherboard could be stressed from those power issues, and you might have some swollen capacitors. If it does turn on again, definitely back up your files! You might want to start saving for a new laptop soon, sorry to say.
From what you've described, it seems like the battery is toast. But it could also be that the charging port is damaged. I’ve messed up a couple of laptops by always leaving them plugged in, which can blow the port. Replacing that can cost a pretty penny, though, like $150-300. Have you been charging it constantly?
Yeah, I usually left it plugged in all the time. That could explain some things!