Dropped Laptop, Battery Will Not Charge

Hopscotchy on 19/06/2023 - 01:01
Last edited 19/06/2023 - 09:17 by 1 other user

So I did a dumb thing and dropped my laptop while it was in Sleep mode (laptop was in a backpack).
Following the drop, the screen was smashed but otherwise working fine. I was able to use it with an external monitor.
After using the laptop for a number of hours, it was then was placed back in Sleep mode. About 60 minutes later attempted to use laptop again and the battery would not charge.

I've replaced the laptop screen, but the battery not charging issue has persisted.

The laptop is a Toshiba Satellite L50-B with SSD upgrade.
All works fine except that the battery does not charge. The battery is only 2 years old, as is the charger cable.

Windows shows the power status as "0% available, plugged in".
Battery Report shows it is a Panasonic battery with a cycle count of 99 and charge capacity of 32,412 mWh before it stopped working.
The DC IN/Battery indicator light stays solid amber, though on one occasion the amber light was flashing. Returned to a solid amber light after a restart.

I've been watching many youtube videos trying to find out how to troubleshoot, but I'm having difficulty finding help that addresses this problem.

I have used a multimeter to attempt to verify if the battery connector pins on the motherboard have charge.
I can't find out how to interpret my results.

The battery connector has 9 pins - https://ibb.co/SnHCGgs
Using the far right pin as ground and going from left:

  • The first two larger pins on the left show a reading on the multimeter that is variable and slowly trends down
  • Third pin is 3.19v
  • Fourth pin is 0v (I assume this is another ground pin)
  • Fifth pin is 3.3v
  • Sixth pin is 3.32v
  • Seventh pin is 3.32v

I'm possibly way outta my depth, but if someone can tell me if the above indicates the health of the battery connector pins or otherwise, that would be great. Or any pointers in the right direction of diagnosing the issue. Thanks!

TLDR: Dropped my laptop, smashed the screen. Initially everything but the screen was working ok, and then after having the laptop on sleep for 60 minutes the battery stopped charging. Went from near full charge to showing as 0%. Do the multimeter readings on the battery pins (above) suggest that this component is healthy or unhealthy? Can you help with next steps?

Computing Computer Laptop Laptop Battery

Comments

  • Hybroid on 19/06/2023 - 01:07
    +1

    Take it to a local computer repair shop or mall kiosk to diagnose professionally and advise you further would be my suggestion. They'll be able to fix your screen too.

    It could be a component solder knocked off, could be defective battery cell, could be some burnt or broken chip, could be detached interior cable, could be million things. You've wasted enough time and frustration on it and risk further damage.

    • Hopscotchy on 19/06/2023 - 01:10

      Thanks Hybroid. I've already replaced the screen. I've had a look internally and I can't see anything that is detached or obviously looks the culprit, but I am a novice. This will be the likely next step - just trying the OzB Community first.

  • tomthumb on 19/06/2023 - 02:45
    +2

    Replace the alternator.

  • randomusername2017 on 19/06/2023 - 06:17
    +1

    Grab a mystery box replacement from centrecom…

    • Hopscotchy on 19/06/2023 - 06:55

      Thanks for the suggestion…. maybe next time!

  • Sinnerator on 19/06/2023 - 07:52

    Did your subconscious do this to force you to treat yourself to a new laptop?

    You could search for a diagnostic/repair manual online and confirm if your volts reading on the power connector are as they should be. My first guess would have been the solder joints are cracked between the power connector and motherboard.

    Goodluck with fix or;

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/782225
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/782292

    • Hopscotchy on 19/06/2023 - 09:45

      Hehe! This laptop is getting on in age for sure, although it's fine for my needs.
      Thank you for the ideas. Will see if I can find a repair manual.

  • Protractor on 19/06/2023 - 08:33

    Is it possible that the CMOS is giving the 3 ish volt readings, but main battery is cactus (flat) because the actual charger port(where the cord plugs in) is ruptured? (No charge getting in) I had the 0% reading happen randomly till I discovered and fixed the charge port on the laptop. (Tosh satellite).
    The port was replaced with with a metal bodied one. All good now and better than new. The OEM were known for caving in and not allowing proper contact/charging. Maybe the drop finished the wear off & it died.You got the last few hours from battery and here we are?
    It can be deceptive looking at the charge port, but they do almost look almost normal when cactus.

    This charger port issue is common in this model BTW. Do some googling

    Used one like these, ( from ebay.)
    https://au.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kobiconn/163-4025?qs=GnJ…
    There's an explanation how to article somewhere online of what to do.
    Basically a bit of soldering and removal of plastic in the housing, with a sml grinding tool or knife (dis-assemble/re-assemble obviously)

    • Hopscotchy on 19/06/2023 - 09:59

      Thanks for your thoughts. This model does not have a CMOS battery, if that changes anything. If it has been unplugged from mains, when booting it enters BIOS on boot with a prompt to enter the current time.

      I'm open to the idea that the issue could be with the charger port. Multimeter gives a reading of just over 19v following the charger port connection, but I imagine this alone does not confirm there is no issue.

      Just to be clear, the laptop was initially connected to power following the drop and battery was charging ok. At full battery the laptop was placed into sleep mode for 60 minutes and unplugged. Laptop would then not turn on unless plugged in, and battery read as 0% (should have still been plenty of charge).

      Will try some more googling.

      • Protractor on 19/06/2023 - 10:06

        My % charged used to drop to zero while plugged in, and the laptop anchored in place. (It went up and own randomly sometimes, as in stopped charging before full, then went again) Just a tiny thump from the keyboard must have been enough, because the contact point had pushed inwards, allowing minuscule point of contact. In the end what happened (I just pulled and replugged thinking surface of contacts was dull etc) was I noticed sml plume of smoke coming from the charger port.The contact was getting very hot across the surfaces. Had no choice but to have the mod done.
        The whole time the charger was still pushing out the 19V, so the laptop port was always the faulty % fluctuating component. All good now.
        Yours may not be this but worth ruling out & googling the issue and possible fix. Is the battery OK?
        I mean could it be damaged internally?
        TLDR: Could be worth ruling out charge system / connectors malfunctioning

        PS; I also noticed in the photo, that it 'appears' there is a slight (what looks like) cracking in thr black section between a cpl of the brass tabs. Is that cracking or just casting imprints?

        • Hopscotchy on 19/06/2023 - 10:18

          Plume of smoke - eep! To clarify, I've tested both the charger and the reading on the motherboard after the charger port and I get 19v. But from my basic understanding this does not rule out the charger port as the problem.

          Yes, it is possible that the battery is damaged internally. It's only 2 years old so I wouldn't have expected it to fail suddenly, but the drop may have done something. Because of the drop, the relatively young age of the battery and sudden drop to 0%, I was thinking a motherboard issue would be more likely.

          Note taken about the charge system/connectors, thanks. I hoped that the readings on the battery connector pins would provide an answer, but seems it's not as simple as I hoped. Thanks again.

          • Protractor on 19/06/2023 - 10:41
            +1

            @Hopscotchy: Rogee
            Best of luck sorting it.
            Not a bad base laptop , so hopefully fixable for you.

  • pharkurnell on 19/06/2023 - 11:14

    but I'm having difficulty finding help that addresses this problem.

    Then take it to someone who knows what they are doing.

  • Ghost47 on 19/06/2023 - 18:11

    Sounds like something got loose in the drop. Drop it the other way.

  • bomberswarm2 on 27/06/2023 - 13:12

    Knock mine off my bed while asleep dozens of times nothing ever happens to it.

    • Hopscotchy on 27/06/2023 - 18:18

      If only we were all so lucky! I had other items in the fallen backpack - that didn't help.

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