FIX – Battery at 0% and Not Charging in Windows 10/11

Encountering a laptop battery stuck at 0% and refusing to charge can be frustrating, especially when you rely on your Windows 10 or 11 device for work, study, or entertainment.

This issue might stem from hardware malfunctions, driver glitches, or system misconfigurations. Fortunately, you can take several troubleshooting steps to resolve this problem without immediately rushing to a technician.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical solutions to get your battery charging again, explained in simple terms for all users.

Why Is My Battery Stuck at 0% and Not Charging?

Before diving into fixes, it’s helpful to understand potential causes:

• Faulty hardware: Issues with the battery, charger, or charging port.
• Driver problems: Outdated or corrupted battery drivers in Windows.
• Power settings: Misconfigured settings are preventing proper charging.
• Temporary glitches: Software or firmware hiccups that need a reset.

Now, let’s explore step-by-step solutions to tackle this issue effectively.

1. Perform a Basic Hardware Check

Start with the essentials to rule out physical problems:

• Inspect your charger and cable: Look for frayed wires, bent pins, or loose connections. Try using a different compatible charger if available.
• Check the charging port: Ensure there’s no dust or debris blocking the port. Gently clean it with a small brush or compressed air.
• Test the outlet: Plug your charger into a different power socket to confirm it’s working.

If the hardware seems fine but the battery still won’t charge, proceed to the next steps.

2. Restart Your Laptop with a Power Reset

A power reset can clear temporary glitches affecting the battery:

1. Shut down your laptop completely.
2. Disconnect the charger and remove the battery (if it’s removable). For non-removable batteries, skip this step.
3. Press and hold the power button for 20-30 seconds to discharge residual power.
4. Reconnect the battery (if removed) and plug in the charger.
5. Turn on your laptop and check if the battery icon shows charging.

This simple trick often resolves minor firmware issues.

3. Update or Reinstall Battery Drivers

Corrupted or outdated drivers can confuse Windows into misreporting battery status. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Batteries section.
3. Right-click Microsoft AC Adapter and Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery, then choose Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts.
5. If no updates are found, right-click each item again, select Uninstall device, and restart your laptop. Windows will reinstall the drivers automatically.

For the latest driver updates, visit your laptop manufacturer’s support page (e.g., Dell Support or HP Customer Support).

4. Run the Windows Power Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in tool to diagnose and fix power-related issues:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters (Windows 11) or Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters (Windows 10).
3. Select Power and click Run the troubleshooter.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to apply any recommended fixes.

This tool can detect settings or driver conflicts affecting your battery.

5. Check Battery Health in BIOS

The BIOS provides hardware-level insights into your battery’s condition:

1. Restart your laptop and enter the BIOS (usually by pressing F2, Del, or Esc during boot—check your manufacturer’s instructions).
2. Look for a Battery Health or Power section.
3. Verify if the battery is detected and its health status.

If the BIOS shows a problem (e.g., “Battery not detected”), it could indicate a hardware failure requiring professional repair.

6. Recalibrate the Battery

Over time, your battery’s charge indicator might misalign with its actual capacity. Recalibrating can fix this:

1. Charge your laptop to 100% while it’s powered on.
2. Use it normally (unplugged) until the battery drains completely and the laptop shuts off.
3. Plug it back in and charge to 100% without interruption.
4. Check if the battery now charges beyond 0%.

This process helps Windows accurately read the battery’s charge level.

7. Adjust Power Settings

Incorrect power configurations might prevent charging. Here’s how to tweak them:

1. Open Control Panel (search for it in the Start menu).
2. Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
3. Click Change plan settings next to your active plan.
4. Select Change advanced power settings.
5. Expand Battery and ensure Critical battery action and Low battery action are set appropriately (e.g., Hibernate or Shut down, not “Do nothing”).

Resetting to default settings can also help if you’re unsure about custom tweaks.

8. Update Windows and Firmware

Outdated software can cause compatibility issues with your battery:

• Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates.
• Visit your laptop manufacturer’s website for BIOS or firmware updates specific to your model (e.g., Lenovo Support).

Keeping your system current ensures optimal hardware performance.

9. Test with a Third-Party Battery Tool

For deeper insights, use a free tool like BatteryInfoView from NirSoft:

• Download and run the tool to check battery capacity, charge cycles, and status.
• If it shows abnormal readings (e.g., capacity far below design specs), your battery may need replacement.

10. When All Else Fails: Replace the Battery or Seek Help

If none of the above works, the battery or charging circuit might be faulty:

• Contact your laptop manufacturer’s support team for diagnostics.
• If under warranty, request a replacement battery or repair service.
• For older devices, purchase a compatible battery from a trusted retailer like Amazon or Best Buy.

Final Thoughts

A battery stuck at 0% and not charging in Windows 10 or 11 is often fixable with a mix of software tweaks and hardware checks. Start with simple resets and driver updates before moving to advanced steps like BIOS checks or battery replacement.

By following this guide, you’ll likely revive your laptop’s charging capability and avoid unnecessary downtime. If the problem persists, professional assistance might be your best bet to pinpoint the root cause.