M14xR1 - battery stops charging but LED still indicates charging

Hi everybody, i follow this forum since i bought my m14x almsot 1 year ago, and it's since about a week that i am experiencing the first problems, my laptop worked flawlessly before. The fact is:

Randomly, my laptop, AC plugged in, stops charging, and battery kicks in. However, the alienhead remains lighted like it was on AC, it doesn't even switch to battery color (I configured the head to become red when i am on battery, but it remains green (AC)).

The only way to restore charging is to shut down the laptop, unplug and replug the Ac adapter, then, turning it on again, everything works.

I am not even able to trigger this problem, it happens randomly, whether i play high-demanding games or simply idle on the desktop.

It's happening about once a week, but since my guarantee is going to end in about 20 days, I am becoming a bit worried.

Anyway, the AC adapter is lighted, it works, BIOS says 150w.

 

What BIOS version are you running?

 

BIOS version is A08.

 

Try these steps

Alienware M14x: Battery not charging

 

I already tried that procedure, the battery is OK , fully charged and working. Also, the 5 lights on the back of the laptop also lit up if pressed, so the battery is in good health.

 

What about the AC adapter's LED ring, does it stay on?

Also, is the adapter holding tight while plugged to the laptop?

 

The LED ring is always on, it never turns off. but the adapter has never been really tight while plugged in, so i thought "it was normal".

However, i have just noticed that, in my BIOS, there is no "AC Adapter Type" field above the integrated graphics description.

The AC is the original one received with the laptop.

 

Have you tried a power drain? (Remove battery and AC adapter, press and hold power button)

 

I didn't try it, since the battery is enclosed in the laptop and I'd prefer avoiding disassembling it. However, i tried a "soft drain" about 2 days ago, witohut removing the battery: I totally discharged it and kept the button pressed for about 20 seconds. Nothing changed: today happened again playing.

 

I'd say it's worth trying. It's really easy to get the battery out, the M14x only has two screws attaching the bottom cover. Once those screws are removed, slide the cover and you'll get to the battery.

 

I just did it, let's see if the problem occurs again in the next days.

 

Awesome! let us know how it goes

 

It just happend again, i am surfing the web and suddenly i am on battery. I am plugged in but on battery right now, LED ring lit up, alienhead as on AC, if i unplug the cable the head turns red (on battery), if i replug it the head returns as on AC.

Edit = Right now i am using with battery charging disabled. 2 days and no problems so far, if it reaches the month without switching to battery i will say a solution has been found.

Still, I can't understand what causes this problem.

 

(bumping the topic.)

 

Also interested in further advice, I have exactly the same problem and have tried all of the suggested fixes including unplugging the battery and draining and still nada. It randomly stops charging, especially under heavy load

Unlike qfoxp's experience changing the charger status in the bios makes no difference for me, nor does any different bios version (from A01 to A08). Any help appreciated

 

If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps posted in this thread and still no luck, send us an email to [email protected]. Include a brief description of the issue, service tag and contact info. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.