Why won't my Lenovo ThinkPad charge and how can I fix it?
Asked by
CuriousCactus82
I've been using my Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 for a while now, and I've run into an issue where it won't charge. At first, the charger only worked when I held it at specific angles, so I replaced it with a new one hoping for better results. Unfortunately, that didn't solve the problem. Now I'm wondering if the charging port is faulty. I did take off the bottom of the laptop, but I'm not quite sure how to proceed from there. I'd like advice on how to fix this issue, an estimate on repair costs, and if there's a way to charge it without using the charging port, as I really need this for school.
Answers
Your ThinkPad can actually charge via USB-C, but you’ll need to update the BIOS first. Check out Lenovo’s support page for the steps to do that.
[Link to BIOS Update](https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht514028-critical-bios-and-pdfw-update-for-usb-c-port-charging-thinkpad-e14-gen-2-and-thinkpad-e15-gen2)
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It sounds like the charging port has likely failed and you’ll need to get it repaired. Using the USB-C port is your best bet, but be cautious because only certain ports will charge it. For repairs, an independent shop might charge you between $100 and $200 if it’s just the port issue; if it's more extensive, it might not be worth fixing.
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You might need a USB-C port replacement. This is a common issue that others have encountered. If you want more specifics about the costs, you can find discussions on these types of repairs online. Just a heads up, some repairs can go up to around $400 if more extensive work is needed.
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Did you make sure to buy a genuine charger? Oftentimes, aftermarket chargers will cause issues. Also, check if any other USB-C ports on the laptop can charge it; Lenovo devices usually support that.
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LaptopLover77: Thanks for the info!