battery not detected

If the battery is not detected, replace it.

If the charger is not detected, try a new OEM Dell adapter first, and if that is also not detected, replace the DC jack in the system.

How much time and money you want to invest in a system that's worth about $20 is up to you.

There are a few possibilities that could cause this message to be displayed:

The battery is not installed correctly. Make sure the battery is installed correctly and latched in place.
The battery has worn out and needs to be replaced. If your maximum use time on battery has been decreasing noticeably recently, then this is likely the problem.
The battery is an aftermarket (non-Dell) battery. If you have recently had the battery replaced, or purchased a non-Dell battery, then this is most certainly the issue. Dell is famous for installing electronic chips or sensors in their batteries, and if this device is not detected by the computer, it will cause the laptop to throw an error code. This is done to encourage users to purchase only Dell-manufactured batteries. If you’re not sure if the battery is a Dell battery, you can check by removing the battery (procedure will vary based on your model computer. Check the internet for a battery removal procedure, or comment with a model number and I can help). If the battery does not say “Dell” with the Dell logo prominently displayed somewhere on the back side of it, then it is an aftermarket battery. The battery may still run the laptop and function normally, but will not display correct statistics such as percentage remaining, or time remaining until empty.