The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    W520 "Stuck" Battery?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Jarhead, Dec 13, 2011.

  1. Jarhead

    Jarhead 恋の♡アカサタナ

    Reputations:
    5,036
    Messages:
    12,168
    Likes Received:
    3,134
    Trophy Points:
    681
    I've noticed this morning that my battery is hovering at 37% charged, even though I know I have had it on AC for at least 24 hours so far, including last night. Power Manager is telling me that my battery is in good condition, but the status is "no activity" and it should be "charging" or something like that. The battery light near the plug is dark, but when I unplug it'll blink amber constantly (and plugging back in will make it blink green a few times, then amber, green, and then go dark).

    Why is it not charging, and how can I fix it? I wanted know what any of you guys think before I call Lenovo on the issue.

    *If it helps, my cycle count is 130 (first used 2011-06).
     
    Jarhead, Dec 13, 2011
    #1
  2. Colonel O'Neill

    Colonel O'Neill Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    300
    Messages:
    935
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'd try toggling the charging thresholds.
     
    Colonel O'Neill, Dec 13, 2011
    #2
  3. Jarhead

    Jarhead 恋の♡アカサタナ

    Reputations:
    5,036
    Messages:
    12,168
    Likes Received:
    3,134
    Trophy Points:
    681
    That didn't do anything, so I just went ahead and called IBM for a new battery.

    Weird how my LG battery failed after only 130 cycles...
     
    Jarhead, Dec 13, 2011
    #3
  4. ComputerNewb

    ComputerNewb Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Have you tried resetting the battery?
     
    ComputerNewb, Dec 13, 2011
    #4
  5. Jarhead

    Jarhead 恋の♡アカサタナ

    Reputations:
    5,036
    Messages:
    12,168
    Likes Received:
    3,134
    Trophy Points:
    681
    I've never heard of resetting a battery before. Do tell? :eek:
     
    Jarhead, Dec 13, 2011
    #5
  6. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

    Reputations:
    6,668
    Messages:
    8,224
    Likes Received:
    231
    Trophy Points:
    231
    I think he's referring to draining the battery completely, and then attempting to charge it up again.
     
    MidnightSun, Dec 13, 2011
    #6
  7. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    15,730
    Messages:
    7,146
    Likes Received:
    2,343
    Trophy Points:
    331
    I think there is a battery gauge reset somewhere in the thinkpad power manager utility for windows. It might make things worse if your battery has a defective chip.
     
    ALLurGroceries, Dec 13, 2011
    #7
  8. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

    Reputations:
    6,668
    Messages:
    8,224
    Likes Received:
    231
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Yep. If your battery is actually defective, there's a chance it won't charge up after you've depleted it.
     
    MidnightSun, Dec 13, 2011
    #8