Laptop not charging & now not turning on at all

[phillpower2]

Third party charger: Amazon.co.uk

Using the details that you provided the Lenovo specs here states that your notebook charges via a USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port, not USB-C.

Third party charger: Amazon.co.uk

Is this the previously tried charger or the one that you just ordered, either way it is shown to be incorrect and if ( A ) we have the correct model of Lenovo and ( B ) you have been plugging the charger into anything other than port 3 in the Lenovo pic that I provided it would explain both the lack of charging and the tingling in the notebook lid.

[TillyWilly]

I’ve attached photos of both the charging port and the charger itself. I’m fairly certain that’s USB-C, not USB-A? I found the model number I gave you by putting my laptop’s serial number into the Lenovo website, which gave me a list of the specs, so I assume it’s right. I think there are a few differences between the US and UK models, so maybe that’s it? I’m from the UK. I’ve had the laptop for over a year and it’s always charged via either of the two smaller ports next to the HDMI port in the picture provided. Thanks.

[phillpower2]

Is the Lenovo here the same model as what you have, can you also take a look at the attached pic and do a comparison to your notebook.

I too am in the UK btw.

[TillyWilly]

It looks very similar, but mine is the Intel version, not AMD. Also, my laptop has a HDMI port next to the 2 USB-C ports, which doesn’t look the same as the picture you’ve attached (port 5). Ports 1-4 are identical to mine, from what I can tell, but I’ve only ever used port 3 as a regular USB port, for data transfer etc. It’s ports 6 or 7 (primarily 6) that I use to charge the laptop.

I’ve attached screenshots of the manual for my laptop; mine is 14IAH7, not 14ARH7. It shows that port 3 on the left (USB-C) is to connect to the AC power adaptor, whereas port 3 on the right (USB-A) is for charging external devices.

Sorry this is getting over-complicated now. Perhaps there are 2 very similar models with imperceptible differences? Thanks.

[phillpower2]

Sorry this is getting over-complicated now

No worries, we wouldn’t be here if we didn`t want to be, including the 14IAH7 details from the outset would have helped though

Genuine Lenovo A 100W USB-C charger

Any decent tech will have an appropriate charger to use for testing.

Long shot but have you tried swapping what we call the kettle lead, this is the lead that goes from the wall socket into the adaptor.

[TillyWilly]

Ah, sorry! I didn’t even realise mine was 14IAH7 until I noticed the distinction in the manual. I thought 82TK0020UK was the model number ???

If I can dig out a kettle lead, I’ll give that a go! Does wattage/voltage come into play with those or will any do?

Thank you for the link! At least I now have another option if the tech doesn’t have a suitable charger to test, for whatever reason.

There’s not much else I can do until I either find a kettle lead or take the laptop to a tech, so I probably won’t have another update for you for a couple days now.

Thanks once again for all your help! You’re much more helpful than Lenovo, that’s for sure.

[phillpower2]

Any UK household kettle lead will do and if it would be less worrying you could disconnect the kettle lead from the notebook charger and try it with the household kettle, if the kettle starts to boil using the notebooks lead you will at least know that the lead itself is good.

You are welcome and sorry that Lenovo have not been helpful, not unusual for big name brands, once they have your money you are generally surplus to requirements.

[TillyWilly]

I’ve tested the kettle lead - it works fine. I also risked testing the new 100w charger and that didn’t work either, but there was no tingling this time. Do you think it’s worth replacing the battery? Thanks.

[phillpower2]

Something else that is ruled out then.

I still think that having a local tech take a look is your best bet, if the notebook turns out to be toast the replacement charger can be returned for a refund and you haven’t shelled out for a new battery, a local tech may also have an appropriate CMOS battery to swap in just in case that is bad and causing issues, try anything before considering sending it into Lenovo.

[TillyWilly]

Okay. Local tech it is! I’ll let you know if they have any luck. Thanks again

[phillpower2]

Please do keep us advised and good luck meanwhile (y)

[TillyWilly]

Okay, so… the local tech I had in mind has apparently relocated so I didn’t get a chance to take it in. In the meantime, I ordered a replacement battery - using the product number Lenovo quoted me - and turns out it’s not even the right battery! I’ve included a picture for reference. As you can see, the “replacement” battery is a lot smaller. Luckily, this is returnable (I made sure it was before ordering).

I’ve also included a general picture of the open laptop in the hopes that you might be able to point out any obvious damage? I can’t see any loose wires or burn marks, but I have an untrained eye…

I’m still hoping to take it to a local tech, but it will have to wait until this weekend now.

Thanks

[phillpower2]

Sorry but even if your pictures were horizontal as opposed to being vertical it is most unlikely that we would be able to see if there was anything amiss.

You getting the wrong battery is unfortunately just adding to your stress.

Fwiw, you would have been better to get the product information off the original battery yourself, tech help service staff are clueless and read verbatim off a checklist when talking to customers remotely.

[TillyWilly]

Sorry about the photos! I have no idea why they’re vertical. That’s perfectly understandable.

There’s so much information printed on the battery, I was struggling to figure out what I needed. After looking for the battery via the “find parts” service on Lenovo’s website, which involves putting in the serial number so you can’t go wrong, it looks like they’re out of stock/don’t sell the right battery. Typical, right?

Anyway, I managed to find what I believe is the right battery (the model number and voltage matches) on a site called “Lenovo Battery Parts”. It’s legit, if the Trustpilot reviews are anything to go by, and unsurprisingly much cheaper than the Lenovo site.

I’ve already started the return process for the incorrect battery, so I’m considering buying the right one via LBP… At this point I’m pretty confident it’s not an issue with the charger itself, and it’s unlikely a local tech would have a replacement battery readily available. I’m still going to take it to a local tech, just in case, but I thought having a replacement battery they could play around with might be helpful.

Thanks again!

[phillpower2]

At this point I’m pretty confident it’s not an issue with the charger itself, and it’s unlikely a local tech would have a replacement battery readily available.

Sorry to put a dampener on your confidence but a notebook will still power up without a main internal battery in place and any new battery will only be of any benefit if it comes with enough charge in it to be able to power up a notebook, bottom line is that only having a known good compatible AC adapter can determine if it is the battery or the MB that is bad.