This message is often normal. Many business laptops stop charging at a set level to protect the battery.
1. Check the battery care setting
| Brand | Where to check | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Dell | Dell Power Manager, or BIOS > Battery Charge Configuration | Primarily AC use stops charging around 50% to 80% |
| HP | BIOS > Battery Health Manager, or HP Power Manager | Limits the charge level to extend battery life |
| Lenovo | Lenovo Vantage > Power > Battery Charge Threshold | Stops charging at the level you set |
| Microsoft Surface | Surface app > Battery limit | Holds the battery at 50% |
If the laptop stops at the limit you set, that's normal. To charge to 100% before travelling, choose Standard or turn the limit off.
2. Check the charger
- Use the charger supplied with the laptop. A charger with too few watts shows "slow charger" or won't charge while the laptop is in use (see article 24).
- Check the light on the charger, the cable and the wall lead, and try another wall socket.
- On USB-C laptops, try another USB-C port. Only some ports charge.
3. Reset the battery driver
- In Device Manager, expand Batteries.
- Right-click Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery and select Uninstall device.
- Shut down, unplug the charger, and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the charger and turn the laptop on. Windows reinstalls the driver.
4. Test the battery
- Dell: the BIOS shows battery health, or press F12 at start-up for Diagnostics.
- HP: press Esc then F2 at start-up and run the battery test.
- Lenovo: check Lenovo Vantage > Power > Battery information.
A hot battery won't charge until it cools down, which is normal.
Battery swollen, or the case or trackpad lifting? Stop using the laptop and contact us straight away.
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