What Does Battery Not Charging Mean? (2024)

    • Mar 5, 2018

Updated: Jan 21, 2022

Have you ever been driving and your car notifies you that the battery is not charging? What does this warning light actually mean? Let’s look at what the battery light signals as well as some of the problems that can be associated with the light coming on. So, what does battery not charging mean?

When the battery light comes on in your car it simply means the battery isn’t charging as it should be. This little light in the shape of a battery will come on for a few seconds when starting the car, but if it remains on, or comes on while you are driving the car, there is a problem.

There are several causes of the light coming on, but all mean the same thing, the battery is not charging. If your light comes on while driving make sure to get to a Hillmuth Auto Care location as quickly as possible.

What Can Cause A Battery To Stop Charging?

One of the most common reasons the battery light comes on and the car battery stops charging is because of corrosion. Whether the corrosion is on the battery cables or cable terminals, it is still a problem that needs to be addressed.

Another common culprit for the battery not charging is a problem with the alternator. The alternator powers the battery, and if it is not functioning properly the battery will not be either. This can be a problem with the actual alternator or the belt that drives it.

What To Do If battery Light Comes On While Driving

So what do you do if the light does come on while you are driving? First, you’ll want to locate your local Gaithersburg mechanic or Columbia auto repair center to drive to as soon as possible.

To help ensure your car can make it there, turn off all accessories that draw power from the

What Does Battery Not Charging Mean? (1)

battery. This includes the air conditioning and the stereo. Do not turn off your car or stop driving if you can help it, as the battery likely won’t have enough juice to start the car back up again.

If you are driving and your battery not charging light comes on do not panic! There are several things that could cause this issue but your best course of action is to turn off systems drawing extra power, and head straight to a service center.

At Hillmuth Auto Care our mission is to get you back on the road as quickly as possible. If you run into an issue while on the road, stop into our Maryland battery shop for assistance!

What Does Battery Not Charging Mean? (2024)

FAQs

What Does Battery Not Charging Mean? ›

The problems could include a dead battery, wiring issues, or improper placement on the charger. However, lithium batteries require a deeper check before you start utilizing them. They have a higher chance of becoming damaged, and then they will stop charging.

What to do when the battery is not charging? ›

Press the volume-down button until you see the option to "Power off." Press the power button to pick "Power off." Charge your phone for at least 30 minutes. Press and hold the power button for a few seconds.

What does battery is not charging mean on a Mac? ›

The Battery Status menu on your Mac laptop might say “Not Charging,” even if it's connected to power. This can happen for a few reasons: Your computer temporarily paused charging to extend the life of your battery. Your battery may drain to 93% or lower before it begins charging again.

What does it mean when car says battery not charging? ›

One of the most common reasons the battery light comes on and the car battery stops charging is because of corrosion. Whether the corrosion is on the battery cables or cable terminals, it is still a problem that needs to be addressed. Another common culprit for the battery not charging is a problem with the alternator.

What does it mean when battery is plugged in but not charging? ›

Your charging cable could be loose, unplugged, or damaged. Your charging cable could have a weak connection because it wasn't made by your laptop's manufacturer. Your charging ports could be clogged with dirt or debris that is keeping it from powering up properly. A laptop tune-up and thorough cleaning can help.

What happens if battery is not charged? ›

When you do not sufficiently charge the battery, the lead plates begin to sulfate, reducing the surface area for the necessary chemical reaction. Lastly, a deep charge allows the battery to discharge completely before recharging. This can damage the battery and reduce power holding capacity.

How do I reset my battery charge? ›

Recalibrating the battery on Android is very simple, just follow these steps:
  1. Charge the device to 100% and leave it charging for another one or two hours, without using it.
  2. Disconnect the charger and use the smartphone normally, until it reaches 0% and turns off.
  3. Charge it again to 100%
Feb 26, 2024

Why does my laptop say battery not charging? ›

There are many reasons why a battery may fail to charge, including a faulty battery, inadequate power source, or damaged cord. Some of the reasons can be fixed quickly as long you know what to do.

How can you tell if a dead Mac is charging? ›

After you connect the charger, the indicator light glows green if your battery is fully charged or glows amber if your battery is charging or charging is on hold.

How do I force my Mac to charge? ›

How to Force Your MacBook's Battery to Fully Charge
  1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
  2. Click the Battery icon.
  3. From the sidebar, click Battery, as shown below.
  4. Deselect the Optimized battery charging checkbox to force your MacBook's battery to fully change.
Apr 13, 2022

How to tell if an alternator is bad? ›

How Do You Know if a Car Alternator is Bad?
  1. Trouble starting your car.
  2. Frequent stalling.
  3. Whining or screeching noise after the vehicle starts.
  4. Dim or overly bright lights.
  5. Smell of burning rubber or wires.
  6. Dead battery.
  7. Battery dashboard warning light is on.

Is it my battery or alternator? ›

An effective method to determine whether it's your battery or alternator that's gone bad is to connect jumper cables from a running vehicle's battery to yours. After a few moments, try starting your vehicle. Once it's started, remove the jumper cables — if your engine stalls, your alternator has probably gone bad.

How do I know if my battery or charger is bad? ›

If the charger is warm to the touch, the charger is moving current to the unit, then the battery would need to be replaced, but if the charger temperature hasn't changed, the charger would need to be replaced.

Why is my car battery completely dead and won't charge? ›

If the battery is simply drained because you left the lights on or it hasn't been used in a while, you should be able to jumpstart the battery. If, however, the battery is dead and won't charge, you'll need to replace it.

Why is my power a battery not charging? ›

A1: Confirm you properly installed the included battery pack and battery door. A2: Confirm the Charging Stand is properly connected to a powered USB port. A3: Confirm you pushed down when placing the controller on the Charging Stand.

How to revive a dead phone battery? ›

Plug the phone into the proper charger and allow the device to charge for 48 hours. After the device has charged for 48 hours, turn the device on and check the battery's power level. You may find that your once-dead battery is revived, and is now able to hold a charge again.

Can a battery be so dead that it won't hold a charge? ›

When a battery starts to die, it doesn't happen all at once. Instead, the battery's capacity to hold a charge gradually dwindles until it can no longer be used.

What do I do if my phone charger is plugged in but not charging? ›

The most common reasons for a phone failing to charge are:
  1. A faulty cable, charger, socket or adapter.
  2. Dirt or debris in the charging port.
  3. Third party apps interrupting the charging process.
  4. A software update is required.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated:

Views: 6389

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.