Inspiron 1525 "plugged in, not charging"

Call Dell.  They'll send a new AC adapter, and if that doesn't fix the problem, they'll replace the mainboard.

Could well be the power cord... but below is what I posted in another thread on this forum regarding the same issue other users were having. May work for you. Have you tried flashing with the latest BIOS ?

Many people seem to be having this problem with Vista.

Google 'Plugged in not charging with Vista' and you will find numerous posts describing this same problem.

For a lot of them flashing BIOS with the latest version has solved it.

For some uninstalling and reinstalling the power management software in vista has resolved the issue.

Or it may genuinely be an addapter/battery issue.

Like I said.. google it and try out the fixes and hopefully one of them will work for you.

i tried it.....did not work. i also tried any combination of removing the battery and unplugging the adapter, nothing has worked.  also tried shutting down computer and unplugging adapter and removing battery and plugging it back in, dont know wat else to do to make this work....

Hi

I've just managed to fix  my "plugged but not charging" problem with Inspiron 1525. All you need to do is  to replace power board (Part  number 48.4W006.021)  - looks  like  this http://www.laptopking.com/dcjack/999742.jpg   . Very easy to do ( takes 1,5 -2 h ) if  you know  how to operate screwdriver and use Dell service manual : http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1526/en/SM/index.htm    You can  find this board on ebay - I paid for mine 35 pounds

Sorry for  my poor english   and good luck!!

Well, my computer probably isn't under warranty since I purchased in March 2008 and really would hate to pay the $49 charge just to call them.  But my computer started doing this as well about a week or so ago.  Does anyone think that it might have been from an update or something sent out by Microsoft or Dell themselves that might had a bad file attached to it or something?  But I really would like to get this fixed soon if anyone has any ideas to help.  Thanks.

I'm not sure this is your problem, but it's a very common problem. There is a delicate wire on the motherboard that connects with the adapter, and allows the adapter to identify itself. From normal wear and tear, this wire gets jiggled loose quite often (this happens on all laptops, but on my dell xps m1530, the adapter hangs QUITE loose in the socket and is probably wreaks havoc on the motherboard).

At that point, if you're skilled, you may be able to solder it back. Or, you're under warranty (I know you're not), Dell will typically replace your motherboard and adapter.  If I wasn't under warranty there wouldn't be much I could do, other than discard the computer or pay someone too much to replace the mobo. My advice is if you buy a dell, buy the very, very long warranty. Dell has been GREAT with the warranty. and given the high failure rate of laptops in general over a few years, you'll probably be glad you did.

There is someone on ebay who sells a little $8 part that's supposed to secure your adapter to your laptop and reduce the chances of it ruining your mobo. I can't quite remember what it's called, but maybe someone  else knows what I mean.

I found what I was looking for. Search ebay for "laptop jack protector." Could be very cheap insurance for your next laptop.

I really appreciate your feedback and I'll look into that option.  But I had a friend of mine that knows computers look at it and he told me to get a Dell OEM PA-10 AC Power Adapter and I ordered it and everything but I was very disappointed when I plugged it in, and of course it didn't work.  I probably need to find an adapter or some other solution before anything else.  If you have any other options that I can try

I don’t believe this is a Vista issue.  I believe this is Dell issue.  This is now happening to my second Dell laptop (one with vista and one with XP); I should have learned my lesson after the first one and bought anything other than a Dell.

Anyway, it started when both laptops were about 1.5 years old.  In the beginning, the battery would drain very quickly.  Sometimes it said it was fully charged and minutes later it was dead.  I bought new batteries, but the problem persisted.  Then I started getting the plugged not charging issue.  Then I started getting messages during startup that the computer did not find a battery (press F1 to continue, F2 to … and F5 to run diagnostics).  The diagnostics never found anything wrong.  At this point the first laptop just died.  There was nothing, you plugged it in and press the power button and nothing happen.  I bought a new adapter and it did not help.  The newer laptop is still going when plugged in, but I expect it to die any day now.  I guess if I want a computer that last longer than 1.5 years I should buy a different brand.

Hello again!

WHY you people do not want to read and use working SOLUTION??????? Is my english really so bad??

Answer for your problem "plugged in, not charging" is just few posts up!!  Mine  inspiron 1525 charging like dream since I replaced power board

If you looking for help, please use offered one

I believe that will work in 95% of described problems - cant give any warranty , but for tiny price  it's worth to try RIGHT?

Good luck

Replaced power board,dell battery,dell ac adapter,flashed bios, r&r software plus every other fix posted, STILL does not charge or recognize ac adapter

I had the same issue, diagnosed the problem to be with the jack after testing battery to be ok. The problem was the power supply was not recognized by the BIOS so was allowing the charger to power the laptop but not charge the battery. The center pin is the problem not making the correct contact.

I solved this by disassembling the laptop, de-soldering the jack and replacing the jack for a new one. After the rebuild the charger is now recognized. A cheap fix but does require some skill.

If de-soldering is not for you the DC jack is on a seperate circuit board, this can be purchased seperate from ebay, less complicated but a little bit more expensive.

Greetings to all who are or have suffered the inconvenience of a mains adaptor  that does not charge your laptop battery but does power the computer.

I have been using an Inspiron 1720 for roughly two years without any problems but then a few weeks ago the above mentioned fault was displayed.

It seemed obvious to me that the mains adaptor had developed a fault  and after investigating the PLUG and socket connection to the laptop the fault became all too obvious. The Dell Computer plug contains a central  PIN which had become bent and therefore not connecting to the computer. Unfortunately the PIN snapped when I attempted to straighten it.....

My attempts to purchase a replacement plug from specialist shops proved fruitless leaving only one alternative , A new adaptor  costing £22  including postage

Via Amazon  

    I am unhappy with Dell for using a none standard plug/socket  and thereby forcing me to buy a new adaptor .   A replacement plug if made available by Dell would be a fraction of the price of an adaptor  

Fellow  laptop users this information may save you time and frustration .

expat2