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Laptop Battery Troubleshooting

Most laptop batteries have a life expectancy of two years or 400 to 450 charge and discharge cycles. After this time, the battery may lose the ability to charge or to hold a charge for substantial periods of time. When this happens, it’s likely the battery needs replacement.

Below are some steps to take to inspect your laptop when your battery is failing.

First, shut down the laptop (if it isn’t already), wait 20 seconds and unplug the power cable.

Is my battery swollen?

If any of the below indicators are present, your battery may be swollen. Please shut down, unplug the power cable from your laptop immediately and contact WSBN IT Support at wsbnit@cornell.edu if you see any of the following when inspecting your laptop:

  • Touchpad or Keyboard lifting
  • System rocking when placed on an even surface
  • Uneven/splitting seams on sides/bottom of laptop where case/cover parts meeting (enclosure splitting).
    split case due to swollen battery

Source:  https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000128491/swollen-battery-information-and-guidance

Inspect Power Cable and Outlet

  • Does the white label (starts with EXT-) on the power cable match the label on the laptop?
  • Inspect power cable for any physical damage (frayed or exposed wires, end pin broken or bent)
    See example images here: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000125337/identify-ac-adapter-damage-on-dell-systems
  • Make sure connection is secure at the brick in the middle of cable
    Dell power adapter
  • Are you plugging into a grounded outlet or a surge protector (that is less than 5 years old)?

Inspect area of use

  • Are you always using the laptop on a flat, hard surface to allow for complete airflow underneath laptop?
  • Inspect around where you place the laptop when in use – are all the sides around free of items that could potentially block airflow?
  • If the laptop is closed while in use, due to the use of a docking station, do you ensure no items are set on top of the laptop?

Run Dell Diagnostics

  • Wait 2 minutes after laptop is shut down.
  • Ensure the power adapter is plugged back into the laptop.
  • Press and hold the Fn key and quick press the power button
  • Let go of Fn key when you see Dell going into Pre-Boot Diagnostics
  • Let the scan run and report back any errors found (if any)
  • If it gives you a QR code or error codes, write down the codes or take a picture of screen with your phone and forward it to WSBN IT support.

 

Click here to review the full PC maintenance and care powerpoint (PDF)