Dell Inspiron 1525 battery not charging

Riasaraf,

A frayed power cord is not good, but replacing the charger will not solve your problem.  Laptop batteries are good for about 500 discharge/charge cycles, so your battery might need replacing.  The battery pack has an internal microchip that communicates with the laptop's circuitry.  It could be that the microchip has failed or it could be that your power connector is broken internally and cannot charge the battery .  If you install another battery and get the same message, then the power connector is probably broken or defective.  If you remove the battery and press the test button, does it indicate the battery is charged? 

Tony

I checked BIOS at startup and it showed that the Adapter cannot be identified? Is the problem still with the battery or with the charger?

It's one of three things - the adapter, the power board or the mainboard.  Start with the adapter - a new Dell adapter is about $35.  The power board is $100 and the mainboard $200+, so the adapter is the first thing to try replacing.

If the adapter didn't solve the problem, either the DC jack is bad:

www.parts-people.com/index.php

Or the mainboard is bad.

I have the same problem, "power connected, not charging".  Bought a new battery and swapped with an identical Dell power unit to no avail.  Is there some connection that can come loose inside or a problem with an internal board? 

Since it is 3 years old and works fine plugged in, it isn't worth spending any more to fix.

Be glad it at least works!  Read my horror story:  AND NO ONE will help me!

In April, 2011 I had an issue with my laptop and called support.  I was on the phone for about a few hours because every person I talked to told me a different story about my warranty.  One person would say that my computer was in warranty and one would say that it was not.  I eventually got someone from customer service to get support on the line, with me on the line, and said that I my computer was IN warranty.  Once that person got off the phone the support person said my computer was NOT under warranty.  By this time I was SO frustrated I paid the $159.00 and we made arrangements to send my computer for repair.  The insured me they would get it back to me with 10 DAYS.

After nearly 2 weeks I called and asked where my computer was, they said it was being tested and they would send when it was done.   At the same time, someone called and said that my laptop was on its way.  I got it back and used it for 2 days and it started doing the same thing it was doing before I shipped it off.  I called support AGAIN and made arrangements to have it sent off again.   Again, they insured me I would get it back within 10 days.

I called about a week later and asked about my computer and they said they had received it and were in the process of working on it.   I got a message from Dell support shortly after that said they were sending my computer back.  When I got it back on Friday evening, I used the computer for a few hours.  The next morning it was doing the same thing as before and would not turn on.  I called and they said they would not be able to help me until Monday.  The next day, Sunday, I got on-line and chatted with a person from customer support who said they would extend my warranty till January 2012 and have a technician come out to fix my computer.  He said they would replace the motherboard and screen.  

The technician came out on Friday and was unable to fix my laptop.  The only equipment he brought was a hard drive.  Besides that he said the problem was a short in the on/off button that was part of the chassis.  He left and I called Dell immediately letting them know I wanted a replacement laptop.  In Arizona we have a lemon law and after 3 attempts to fix and issue a replacement are required.  They support guy on the phone said they would replace the laptop, but the server was down so he was unable to complete the transaction.  He said he would call on Monday to setup the replacement.

On Monday May 23, Dell support called and said the server was still down and he would not be able to set me up with a replacement laptop.  It is now Wednesday and I have not been able to get a response from anybody!  It is NOT my problem that the server is down.  Your company should find a way to get me a replacement laptop without the use of a computer.  I don’t care or need to know the server is down.  Besides if the server has been down since Friday then your company needs a new IT department, because there is NO reason a company should be down for so long.  I am trying to get my master and I have been without my laptop for nearly 6 weeks.  This is NOT acceptable!   I am attaching the chat logs from my conversations.  I want this resolved ASAP!!!  I will NOT be buying a laptop/desktop/server/printer from Dell EVER AGAIN!   I work in the IT field and will recommend to every IT person I know not to purchase Dell.  This kind of service is beyond bad!

On Wednesday May 25, I called Dell because NO ONE had contacted me and the spoke with a “supervisor” who said they would NOT replace my computer!   They would try and fix it again a FOURTH time!   I asked to speak to someone above this person and he said there was no one.  He said he would escalate the situation and have someone contact me within 24 to 48 BUSINESS hours!  I asked what that would be in days and he said he could not tell me because they do not work Sunday and Monday.  I asked about the 24 to 48 hours would be 6 days and since they do not work on Sunday and Monday that would mean that they may not get back to me till Thursday of next week (48, working hours) and he said they work 24/7.  This does NOT make any sense.  Another reason I am so frustrated with Dell.  I get a different story from EVERY person I talk to!  At the same time I was talking to this person I got a message left on my phone by someone else at Dell that said that there is a 90% chance my computer will be replaced….  REALLY?  What is the CORRECT story?   How am I as the customer supposed to have ANY faith in Dell when every person has a different story?  

Also, I went to my on-line account and Dell charged me $114.74 for the extension of the warranty!  I did not ask, they offered to do it for me as conciliation for ALL the trouble they had given me.  Now they want me to pay?  What?   I need some resolution to this mess!

Dwadler,

Yes, there is a part that can become defective.  It's the power jack.  The jack is very much like a stereo phone jack.  When no plug is inserted, it passes power from the battery to the motherboard.  When the plug is inserted, it supplies power to the motherboard and to the battery charging circuit.  As I mentionned in an earlier post, the battery has an internal microcircuit that regulates charging the battery and communicates with the motherboard as to the battery's state of charge.  Since you have tried both another battery and charging adapter, it is almost  a given that the power connector is broken.  this can be caused by a cracked jack or a loose solder joint where the power connector attaches to the motherboard.  Since replacing the power connector requires complete disassembly of the laptop in most cases, this should be done by someone who is skilled at desoldering and soldering sensitive electronic circuits.  A grounded soldiering iron and desoldering iron are necessities for this type of work.

Hope this info helps.

Tony 

Hello, I am having the same problem.  A frayed power cable MAY be the answer but I would not be willing to bet money on it.  I have replaced the charger, replaced the battery, tried to ever-so-slightly bend the center pin on the charger connector as one user suggested (maybe it was not making good contact was the idea), rotating the connector to force it to make a connection.  None of these have worked.  Too many people are reporting this issue for it to be a random issue and Dell probably knows of its existance, they simply choose to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear.

Rick H

about the "plugged in, not charging"..... i thought it was the battery. buying a new 1 online, didn't change anything. it sd the same thing. i looked closer @ the end of the power cord that plugs in2 the laptop & noticed there should b a pin inside. since i've a 2nd dell laptop, i realized i could possibly switch power cords. i did & the 1st laptop began charging. in the end, it was the power cord, which i've since ordered. glad it wasn't something more serious.

everyone seems to have the same problem with the dell 1525 not charging the battery showing plugged in not charging,  well here goes, we have had  many of these in for repairs with this problem, after trying new original battery's and chargers with no success we moved to the dc board, after re flowing or replacing  the dc board we have found this to solve the problem, 

PC Repairs...,

Agreed!  As mentionned in my previous post, the DC connector(board) is usually the culprit.  Just replaced one on a 1525 last week.  The DC connector was broken so bad that there was no plastic for the center pin, just 4 copper contacts.  Replaced DC board and unit still gave charging error.  Customer had purchased a third-party AC adapter.  Replaced AC adapter with a genuine Dell adapter, and the problem was solved.  Apparently, the generic adapter did not supply the Power Indicator signal on the center pin.

Tony

Hi, with three years of use can be suspicious of two things: A) the machine is damaged in the recharge area B) and check the battery test

my battery was not charging, I replaced new power cord and the charger. Still the battery not charging. Whats your advice please.

Dear, riasaraf

You need to test the adaptor and battery.

First, remove the battery, but keep the adaptor connected to your hydro source.

Use it like this for a awhile. If it is working fine, then you can rule out the adaptor.

Next, put the battery back in and see if it is charging beyond 61%. If so, the act of taking it out, and putting it back in (hours later) has made it a bit more functional.

If it still gets stuck on 61% charge, you may very well need to purchase a new battery.

Batteries go to have life after a year's usage. We typically order extra batteries for our reps as they often worked without adaptors when visiting shop floors. If an adaptor goes, it is usually part of the cord which may have gotten bent, hence no longer functional on a consistent basis.

If you can't solve the problem then,maybe your battery has gone,the best tips is to buy new battery.

Here some sites useful for you,Good luck!

www.amazon.com/.../ref=nb_sb_noss_1

www.eachbattery.com/dell-inspiron-1525-battery-111v-6600mah-p-184