About Dell (BIOS) Custom Battery Charging Limit

Question

I have my Power Manager battery set on Custom: start charging below 50% and stop charging at 85%.

The laptop was able to stop charging at 85% and it would show "plugged in, not charging." Which is what I want because I leave it plugged in most of the time and would like to prolong battery life by bypassing charging and have the laptop run on AC power.

This stopped working few days ago. Now the laptop just ignores the limit I have set. I have verified the setting in BIOS as well as Dell Power Manager. Flashed BIOS to 1.15.0, tried changing settings, didn't work. Updated BIOS back to 1.16. laptop still ignores this charging limit. Dell remote assist did some standard troubleshooting and the diagnostics didn't show any hardware issue; they couldn't figure it out either. They offered to replace the motherboard of my laptop. But I don't want. I am trying to find another solution. Did some searching on the internet and seems like most people are having the opposite issue where they can't charge past their limit...

Is there anyone find a solution?

anyabaker · Answer

While the exact cause behind your specific issue is difficult to determine remotely, here are some additional troubleshooting steps you can try before resorting to a motherboard replacement:

1. Driver Updates:

Update all your Dell drivers, especially the battery and chipset drivers, to the latest versions. You can find them on the Dell support website for your specific model.

2. Reinstall Dell Power Manager:

Uninstall and then reinstall the Dell Power Manager software. This can potentially fix any software glitches causing the issue.

3. Windows Power Settings:

- Open the Windows Control Panel.
- Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.

- Click on Change plan settings next to your current power plan.

- Click on Change advanced power settings.

Expand Battery, then Adaptive charging.
Ensure this setting is disabled.
If other battery-related settings are available, explore them and ensure they don't override your Power Manager settings.

4. BIOS Reset:

Reset the BIOS to its default settings. This can sometimes resolve configuration conflicts causing unexpected behavior. However, proceed with caution and only if comfortable, as this might reset other BIOS settings you've customized. Consult your Dell manual or website for specific instructions on resetting the BIOS for your model.

5. Clean Boot:

Perform a clean boot in Windows to temporarily disable any third-party applications or background services that might be interfering with the Power Manager settings.
Search online for "how to perform a clean boot in Windows" for detailed instructions.

Chatintok · Answer

@anyabaker​ I did everything you wrote but the problem persists. I think it is caused by bios.

Chatintok · Answer

Dell technical service offers to replace the motherboard. What do you think I should do? Is it worth changing the motherboard?

DRFP6647d4 · Answer

i had to switch back to adaptive charging because custom charging caused it to not charge at all

daf32 · Answer

I'm getting a little aggravated with Dell and the constant updates that keep breaking my fairly new computer. I'm on an XPS+. Earlier this year they broke my camera with an update. Then my internet speed suddenly tanked, and I was offered a new motherboard to fix the issue. Now I just discovered I have this problem too. Ironically it just started happening. What gives?!

gmz-dell · Answer

yes this is a Dell BIOS bug.

the function used to work properly back on BIOS 1.13 era. (2022).

has not functioned at all since around BIOS 1.24-1.25 or so.

LOTS of people are reporting this problem (including me).

No helpful response from DELL.

(prcision mobile 3560 series)

ALSO, now the Dell Power Managemnt windows app has been deprecated/absorbed into another app, but it still doesnt function properly.

Paco Labarcandi · Answer

I know it's kind of late to reply, but anyway... May be it can help someone in the future.

I reached here because experienced the same issue. Figured out it stopped working when installed a new battery. I got tired of trying any single thing thatt came to mind, so I brought my old battery back, and trying in and out, realized the charge limit only works when a dell branded battery is plugged, but won't when I plug my brand new alternative one... That's it... Hope it helps.

La ha · Answer

I'm too ..Inspiron 14 plus 7440

alfredaino · Answer

I have the same problem with Inspiron 16 5645 and BIOS 1.11.0.

Inspiron

About Dell (BIOS) Custom Battery Charging Limit

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