ASUS X550Z Battery Not Detected, Won't Charge

Stark05 · 06 Jun 2017

So I've had this laptop for about two years now, and I've noticed that the battery stopped charging. It used to do that thing where it shows "0%, plugged in, charging", but doesn't charge, which started about two months ago, but here in the last week, the battery is no longer detected at all. The battery light itself on the laptop is either steady green, or goes from "off, orange, green, off again", or flashes orange. But the biggest issue is that the moment either the A/C adapter is unplugged from the wall or laptop, it automatically shuts down. ***BEFORE YOU SUGGEST REMOVING THE BATTERY, THE ASUS X550Z DOES NOT HAVE A REMOVABLE BATTERY*** This is the first laptop I've ever owned where the battery, like an iPhone, is built into the bottom and inaccessible without cracking open the case. The simple fact that the battery went from "not charging at all" to "not being detected at all" makes me think the battery was slowly dying, and has now died altogether, especially since the laptop powers off the instant the charger is unplugged. But I wanted to ask a few forums and double check.

Sooooo....how screwed am I?Also, while I'm here, for those about to say that "hold the power button for x seconds" bit, is that whilst powering the laptop off? Or back on? Or does not matter since there's no battery charge whatsoever?Thanks in advance.

Caledon Ken · 07 Jun 2017

Hi Stark05.

First thing I would do is reset the BIOS. There should be a setting once you are in BIOS.

Just to be absolutely sure this is not a Window driver issue I would get a copy of Ubuntu and boot from that.

Do NOT install to hard drive just test drive it. Think it is first option on menu.

If it doesn't detect / charge either then you need a new battery.

Now the good news is your laptop is not sealed liked an iPhone. If you search the internet you will likely find disassembly videos. Looks like your comes apart after removing the bottom screws, then prying keyboard off. Talking apart a laptop is not for everyone. Mind static electricity should you decide to attempt. If you decide to do watch a couple of videos to get different perspectives and different tips.

Ken

spunk · 08 Jun 2017

The Battery has died. You can get another one from Ebay
Here is a video showing you how to take the keyboard top cover off the computer and get to the battery, along with taking the rest of it apart, which you don't need.

Helmut · 08 Jun 2017

Batteries always lose capacity over time, mine is about -10% to -12% per year. I calibrate about every 6 months. So I know when to buy a new one.
You can try uninstalling the relevant drivers, by going to Device Manager > Batteries > Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method battery. Re-Boot and they should re-installed.

Unplug the power brick, Shut down the Laptop by a long press of the power switch. Plug in again and power on.

This sort of thing happens when the battery is not calibrated as to the current capacity and things like low battery actions are based on a wrong capacity number, the battery dies before that point.

Ultimately it may of course be a completely dead battery.