The AC adapter is the place to start - try a new Dell OEM adapter.
If that doesn't solve the problem, the DC jack the next suspect - but on this model that's not a plug-in; it's soldered to the system board so you'll either need to find a shop that can solder in a new one, or replace the system board.
@mattpres try running the ePSA diagnostic (F12 during boot to get into the Boot Menu) and see what it tells you there. If you suspect that it's the adapter that is the problem then you can replace it with a 150W, 180W or even 240W Dell adapter. There are aftermarket ones on eBay but I'd usually suggest to go for an OEM power supply if you can.
It's pretty common for the batteries on these laptops to fail after all these years. Finding an OEM battery will be next to impossible but I've found that aftermarket ones do the job well enough but don't expect them to hold charge like a new OEM one would.
Alienwares have a hybrid battery power system which involves having a Good battery which has a high amount of health left on it (89% or higher) and The AC adapter that came with the system. if either of these fails the system wont charge properly and may have issues such as locking the speed of the CPU. I would recommend you replace the Battery as that can fix the issue. But since you said that you have the 255w adapter, does it have a blue led on it? like this one? 240w ac adapter alienware - Bing images
I ended up purchasing an OEM 150W 19.5V 7.7A adapter. Will let you know how it goes once it arrives. Paid $49 AUD/$35 USD for it which I think is a good price.
I received the OEM 150W 19.5V 7.7A adapter. Plugged it in and took a while to get past 5% battery but then it happily went all the way to 100% charged. Because the battery finally had some life, I was now able to see the CPU go past the previously locked 1.2GHz, breathing all the way to 3.0GHz+. Stoked! Since then I teared it down completely and oh my...that part between the cooling fan and thermal pipe was full of dust so I cleaned that up. Now waiting for arctic mx4 thermal paste to arrive and will apply to CPU & GPU. Hope to see some decent performance gains after all this.
ejn63
10 Elder
•
30.7K Posts
1
May 17th, 2020 04:00
The AC adapter is the place to start - try a new Dell OEM adapter.
If that doesn't solve the problem, the DC jack the next suspect - but on this model that's not a plug-in; it's soldered to the system board so you'll either need to find a shop that can solder in a new one, or replace the system board.
mattpres
10 Posts
1
September 20th, 2021 17:00
Hi @publicbench,
Did you find a solution to this problem? I am looking at an adapter for M14xR2 and want to make sure I dont experience same problem as yourself!
mattyb3
5 Practitioner
•
1.7K Posts
1
September 20th, 2021 23:00
@mattpres try running the ePSA diagnostic (F12 during boot to get into the Boot Menu) and see what it tells you there. If you suspect that it's the adapter that is the problem then you can replace it with a 150W, 180W or even 240W Dell adapter. There are aftermarket ones on eBay but I'd usually suggest to go for an OEM power supply if you can.
It's pretty common for the batteries on these laptops to fail after all these years. Finding an OEM battery will be next to impossible but I've found that aftermarket ones do the job well enough but don't expect them to hold charge like a new OEM one would.
A51-06
5 Practitioner
•
3.1K Posts
0
September 21st, 2021 07:00
Alienwares have a hybrid battery power system which involves having a Good battery which has a high amount of health left on it (89% or higher) and The AC adapter that came with the system. if either of these fails the system wont charge properly and may have issues such as locking the speed of the CPU. I would recommend you replace the Battery as that can fix the issue. But since you said that you have the 255w adapter, does it have a blue led on it? like this one? 240w ac adapter alienware - Bing images
mattpres
10 Posts
1
September 22nd, 2021 03:00
Hey,
Appreciate the replies!
I ended up purchasing an OEM 150W 19.5V 7.7A adapter. Will let you know how it goes once it arrives. Paid $49 AUD/$35 USD for it which I think is a good price.
Thanks
A51-06
5 Practitioner
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3.1K Posts
0
September 24th, 2021 07:00
I agree but hopefully its an AC adapter issue. I still recommend replacing that aging battery.
mattpres
10 Posts
1
September 26th, 2021 18:00
I received the OEM 150W 19.5V 7.7A adapter. Plugged it in and took a while to get past 5% battery but then it happily went all the way to 100% charged. Because the battery finally had some life, I was now able to see the CPU go past the previously locked 1.2GHz, breathing all the way to 3.0GHz+. Stoked! Since then I teared it down completely and oh my...that part between the cooling fan and thermal pipe was full of dust so I cleaned that up. Now waiting for arctic mx4 thermal paste to arrive and will apply to CPU & GPU. Hope to see some decent performance gains after all this.
A51-06
5 Practitioner
•
3.1K Posts
0
September 29th, 2021 11:00
Congrats dude! Happy it got fixed.