"PLUG-IN BUT NOT CHARGING" Alienware Battery Not Charging Issue FIX

Ok so some AW users (specially MX series) have this issue. Suggested fixes like, unplugging power, removing battery, pressing the power button etc., reinstalling battery drivers only provided temporary relief.
Also the theoretical cause of this issue varied: possible defective batteries and chargers, static buildup, BIOS curruption, gremlins and many more but no one is sure about the exact culprit...

Until now...

So what causes this issue?

Have you encountered a message in your BIOS that your charger is "UNKNOWN". In a "working" situation, your bios should identify the name and watts of your charger, if the system detects you are using a genuine or compatible adapter, it allows your battery to charge. If not, it thinks that you are using a fake one or an incompatible one and disables battery charging. This prevents possible damages a fake or incompatible charger might do your battery or system. So how does the BIOS detect a genuine charger?

If you will peep through your charger head, you will see a thin needle-like something in the middle of it. This is not the one that gives a + or - current of power to your laptop.It is connected to a special circuit inside the charger which send signals to the BIOS and tell it that "Hey, I'm genuine, let me pump up your battery!"

So where's the fix?

When your system doesn't want to charge your battery, there is no detected signals coming through that "needle". To fix this:

1. Check if the "needle" in the charger head is damaged or missing.

2. If not and the "needle" is prick as ever, unplug charger and gently clean the charger head (insides) with a cotton swab (you can dab it with fast drying alcohol if you want) and gently brush the "needle" to free it from possible build ups.

3. Now turn off your AW, remove the battery, drain by holding power button. Now peep through your laptops charging port. You will notice the pin hole in the middle, where the "needle" comes contact with. Now here's the magic: get a match stick, break it sideways until you have a splinter small enough but still rigid to fit through the pin hole. Dip the tip in alcohol and gently, VERY GENTLY, insert it to your laptop's charger port pin hole and gently rotate or "scrub" its inside (just like cleaning a baby bottle with a bottle brush). Make sure to not break the tip or leave traces of wood inside the pinhole. Let the hole dry for few minutes. By doing this, you removed dirt or corrossion buildup inside the pin hole which is the reason why the "needle" can't transfer signals to it.

When all things are dried up.... reassemble your AW and plug your charger. The battery is now charging

Alternatively, you can use a tiny metal needle to do this, but it might scratch or damage the contacts inside.

If this still does not work, the charger port of your AW maybe damaged, specially the pin hole part.
If you can still use your AW with the charger, then the charger has no issues.
If your battery is damaged or degrading, the BIOS will tell Windows to give you a "replace your battery" warning message.

So it all points to that little needle in your charger and its pin hole entry on your laptop. It migt be dirty

That's all and hope this will help you fixing this issue.

 

I'd add this too - the battery technology Li-Ion will degrade their holding power sometime and the battery won't charge and the fix for it is to discharge it to 70% or 80% and It will fully charge, Never drop it less than 30-40% If it drops to 0-5% the wear level will increase, I had it increased by 4% for every full power cycle.