Laptop Battery

[CrimsonMaiden]

Is it common to have a battery completely die if the laptop is only a year old?

My laptop will run off the power cord, but the battery isn't charging. It's staying at 0%. Does that mean my battery is dead and I need a new one?

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Most likely it's dead... I had to replace my laptop battery for the same issue...

 

[R. Richard]

Is it common to have a battery completely die if the laptop is only a year old?

A battery should last for more than a year. I would talk to the place where you bought the laptop and 1) see if you can get a free replacement of a faulty battery and 2) get instructions as to exactly how the manufacturor wants the battery charged. Improper charging can cause problems.

 

[fieryjen]

A battery should last for more than a year. I would talk to the place where you bought the laptop and 1) see if you can get a free replacement of a faulty battery and 1) get instructions as to exactly how the manufacturor wants the battery charged. Improper charging can cause problems.

My battery did the same thing because I would always run my laptop off the power cord. My battery needs to be emptied completely at least once a week. You do need a new battery if that's the case.

 

[janiexx]

Same problem here I think...

Hi,

My Acer laptop is a year old too and just lately the battery hasn't been charging. I thought the battery was dead and even took the power lead to my local branch of PC World.

That was tested and was OK, but I have a feeling it's the actual connection where the power lead is inserted. Unless I fiddle about with it, it lets out a bleep and starts "discharging". One night it died on me completely and to say I panicked is an understatement.

I use my laptop all the time and it's mostly connected to the mains. But I now have to be careful how I sit and use it as the slightest movement causes it to start discharging.

I suppose I should go and get it checked out. I don't know whether this applies to your laptop too but it might help to get your connections checked rather than buy a new battery.

By the way on the UK Acer website, a new battery would set me back about £85.

Hope this helps,
janiexx

 

[fieryjen]

Hi,

My Acer laptop is a year old too and just lately the battery hasn't been charging. I thought the battery was dead and even took the power lead to my local branch of PC World.

That was tested and was OK, but I have a feeling it's the actual connection where the power lead is inserted. Unless I fiddle about with it, it lets out a bleep and starts "discharging". One night it died on me completely and to say I panicked is an understatement.

I use my laptop all the time and it's mostly connected to the mains. But I now have to be careful how I sit and use it as the slightest movement causes it to start discharging.

I suppose I should go and get it checked out. I don't know whether this applies to your laptop too but it might help to get your connections checked rather than buy a new battery.

By the way on the UK Acer website, a new battery would set me back about £85.

Hope this helps,
janiexx

Hmmm... mine is Acer too, but I've ever had the problem you described. It sounds really annoying, but I agree, you should have it checked out.

It really depends what the symptoms are. I know my problem (will only run on power cord, battery will not charge up) was solved by buying a new battery, and now I take better care of it. If there are other odd things happening, have it checked out by someone.

 

[TxRad]

If you have checked the battery contacts and there is now sign of corrosion or a bad connection... arc marks... then the battery is probably dead...

When you get the new battery make sure and follow their instructions on charging and discharging the battery... these seal batteries used todasy have to be completely discharged ever so often or they take a set or memory of their lowest charge until they just won't charge any more...

 

[Liar]

Is it common to have a battery completely die if the laptop is only a year old?

Common? I wouldn't say that. But on the other hand not unusual either.

TX's suggestion is good. When you have a fresh battery, charge and discharge it fully a few times, and do that now and then maybe once every othet month. It's like workout for it so it doesn't start to slack.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I do discharge it pretty regularly. I fiddled with it a bit (unplugged/plugged power cord, reseated battery) and it finally starting charging again. I don't know if it was just being finicky or if it's on its way out.

Thanks everyone!

 

[BlackShanglan]

Glad it sorted itself out. I don't know if I am the world's worst user of them, but I never seem to have much luck on computer batteries. At this point I expect very little out of them.

 

[ElizabethWest]

My company Dell computer went on the fritz just after the year warranty ran out.

Glad yours is on the mend, Crim.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

Is it common to have a battery completely die if the laptop is only a year old?

My laptop will run off the power cord, but the battery isn't charging. It's staying at 0%. Does that mean my battery is dead and I need a new one?

1 year is premature for a battery to go bad, but not unheard of. I would take your laptop in to test the charging circuit...unless you have a meter to do your own testing...

 

[R. Richard]

I do discharge it pretty regularly. I fiddled with it a bit (unplugged/plugged power cord, reseated battery) and it finally starting charging again. I don't know if it was just being finicky or if it's on its way out.

Thanks everyone!

There is a phenomena called "battery memory." It has been referred to earlier. A battery will assume different capacities depending on how it is used. A battery needs to be completely charged, on a regular basis and then completely discharged on a regular basis. Failure to do either will either "lower the ceiling" or "raise the floor," leaving you with little or no battery. Your local computer store people can give you a better explanation than I have time for.