Signs that the battery is no longer taking a charge include:
- The battery shows Plugged in, not charging.
- Windows shows Battery not detected.
- The device turns off as soon as it is unplugged.
- The battery only charges to 50% or 80%.
On a Surface device, the battery icon can help confirm this:
- Red X on the battery icon: the power supply is detected, but the battery is not. If the device turns off when unplugged, start a service request.
- No charging symbol even though the charger is connected and the connector light is on: the device is not detecting the power supply, so the battery is not charging.
- Charging symbol is present but the battery never increases: check that the correct power supply is being used, disconnect high-power accessories, and reinstall the battery driver unless the device is a Surface Pro X.
Useful checks:
- Try a different power outlet.
- Make sure all cable connections are secure.
- Confirm the charger meets the charging requirements for the device.
- Disconnect accessories that use a lot of power.
- Force a restart: Start > Power > Shut down, wait a moment, then hold the power button for 20 seconds.
- In the Surface app, open Help & support to check update status and run Get help.
If the battery still is not detected or the device only runs while plugged in, that points to a likely battery or hardware problem and service may be needed.
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