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November 16th, 2022 03:00

XPS 15 9550 "AC adapter not installed"

Hi, 

I have a Dell XPS 15 9550 running Windows 10 (originally bought 2016) which I bought second hand, that I currently use as a pretty paper weight. I would like some help to make this laptop functional again as it refuses to charge. 

Some backstory: The laptop was fully functional and had no problems when I bought it. Additionally, the laptop had a battery change at some period in its lifetime from the previous owner. The battery was replaced by Dell themselves according to the previous owner. I have charged the laptop with the standard 130W charger for the entire duration that I have owned this laptop. 

Onto the problem: During heavy use, the laptop began to run low on charge and I plugged it in right as I saw the laptop was low on charge. I finished what I was doing and noticed that the laptop would not charge. The charger was working, but the laptop slowly started to die so I shut it off and rebooted it to give it another try, but to no avail. 

I confirmed that the charger was working through a multi-meter, and I confirmed the same for the charging port, through its connector. I opened the laptop to run BIOS in order to determine the cause of this malfunction. In BIOS, it read that "AC charger not installed". While testing all other functions of the laptop, I also check the battery and it seemed to be functioning fine. I later checked it with a multimeter and it had the same charge as reported in the BIOS. I read forums and ordered a new charging port just in case. After installing it, the laptop still refused to charge. I then sent the laptop to a repair shop, and they were also unable to confirm the problem my laptop was facing. The tech told me that he tested the motherboard and other components but everything seemed to be running fine. Currently the laptop is completely dead as the battery is drained, and the laptop cannot boot up because of its circumstance. I have tried to charge the laptop using a 60W apple charge through the UBS-C port but it did not charge. 

I am not sure how I would be able to fix such a problem as the laptop currently has no charge. This leads me to two questions:

1. Can I charge my XPS 15 9550 through a UBS-C charger? And if so, which one should I buy?

2. Has anyone experience a similar problem? If so have you been able to solve it? Do I need to buy another DC Jack?

12 Elder

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31.3K Posts

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154.7K Points

November 16th, 2022 04:00

1. No.

2.  Have you tried a new OEM Dell adapter?

The description you've provided point to a bad charge circuit on the system board, but before replacing the system board, try a new OEM AC adapter.

 

1 Rookie

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November 16th, 2022 06:00

Thanks for the reply. 

I have not tried a new OEM Dell Adapter yet. I will order one to give it a try. If there is a problem with the charging circuit itself, does that mean I have to get a motherboard replacement? As this computer has been out of warranty for a while, a motherboard replacement sounds expensive.  If there any other way to fix the laptop ? 

12 Elder

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31.3K Posts

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154.7K Points

November 16th, 2022 07:00

If a new OEM adapter works, you're set.  If not, the charge circuit is not repairable short of a mainboard replacement.

 

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