If you feel like your laptop charger is starting to overheat, then here’s a quick and detailed guide you can use to diagnose why that may be occurring, and how to fix it.
Firstly let’s just get this out of the way, that laptop chargers are normally hot to the touch when you have them plugged in, and charging to your laptop.
So if your laptops charger is only mildly/moderately hot to the touch then chances are everything is okay. On the other hand if its getting hot to the point where it’s painful to even touch it, then you might have an overheating laptop charger.
Why Is My Laptop Charger So Hot?
If you notice the adapter is extremely hot, it could be due to the following: A faulty laptop battery, using the wrong laptop charger, using the wrong laptop battery, damaged / faulty laptop charger, the environment is just so hot.
We will now discuss how to fix a laptop charger that gets too hot.
Is It Normal For Laptop Charger To Get Hot
If you have a gaming laptop, and your running your laptop at full tilt. Then it’s probably drawing the maximum amount of power it can through the adapter.
In that case, its okay for the charger to get way hotter than usual. As long as it returns to its normal temperature when the laptop is idle.
However if it remains that hot, even when your laptop is idling. Then it’s either overheated or will likely overheat at some point in the near future.
When you notice your charger getting that hot, check to see if its still charging your laptop battery. If it isn’t or is constantly toggling between charging and not charging. You most likely have an overheating power adapter.
..If you see or hear any then immediately disconnect it from your laptop, and just replace it…
Observe the power adapter for any signs of smoke, or weird noises coming from its internals. If you see or hear any then immediately disconnect it from your laptop, and just replace it.
It’s not worth trying to fix, because you might end up having to replace your laptop as I once had to when a smoking laptop charger fried the internals of my laptop. Effectively rendering it an expensive paperweight.
Though if you don’t see any sign of smoke, or weird noises. It could be something else causing the overheating issues.
How To Fix A Laptop Charger Overheating
Faulty Laptop Battery
It could be that your laptop battery is just getting old at this point, and needs to be replaced. Your laptop charger could just be working overtime in trying to push current through the degraded cells of the battery, and is effectively overheating.
If your laptop is facing battery issues, we recommend you replace it right away. To figure out what type of battery your laptop needs and how to replace it. Read our detailed guide.
Using The Wrong Laptop Charger
The chances are that you could be using the wrong power adapter to charge to laptop, and that’s why it could be overheating.
It’s very important to get the correct power adapter for your laptop, with the right voltage and current ratings. A little bit over or under its ideal specifications and it could mean permanent damage to your laptop.
For example if your using a 60watt power adapter on a laptop that requires a 90watt charger. Then that could be reason its overheating. It simply doesn’t have the capability to supply that much power, and overheats.
You can easily find replacement power adapters if you just google your laptop make and model followed by power adapter. Try to purchase one directly from the manufacturer if you can.
Using The Wrong Laptop Battery
Another source of the overheating issues could be that you could be using the wrong laptop battery for your laptop. Just because a battery fits into the designated battery slot on your laptop doesn’t mean it’s the right one.
..If you happen to be using a laptop battery that accepts 19.5V, while your laptop battery charger is rated for 17.5…
Batteries of the same shape and size come with different power and current ratings just like power adapters do. If you happen to be using a laptop battery that accepts 19.5V, while your laptop battery charger is rated for 17.5. Then your charger could very well overheat.
To find out exactly what sort of battery that you laptop needs, be sure to check out the guide we gave the link to above. It’ll help you find the correct battery from an authentic source.
Damaged/Faulty Laptop Charger
Among all the possible culprits of an overheating laptop battery charger, this is the most common A damaged or faulty charger could easily be overheating itself, and you’d never even know that it was faulty until it did permanent damage to your laptop.
If your bought an off brand power adapter for your laptop, then we would honestly recommend throwing that away and buying a brand new manufacturer certified power adapter. One that actually has your laptop manufacturers logo on it.
My laptop had its internals fired by an off brand laptop charger. However if you still have the original charger that came with your laptop. Examine the power cord, and all connection points for wear and tear.
If there are any rips or tears, then it would be wise to get it replaced. There’s no telling when two exposed wires might into contact, and potentially cause a fire.
The Environment Is Just Too Hot
This is one possible cause that around 90% of the people might not even think to consider, but it could be that your environment is just too hot, and the charger is overheating because of this.
Another pretty common case we’ve seen is that when people tend to use their laptops in bed, they smother the charger amongst or underneath the blankets. So now the charger has no access to passive cooling through the air, and will most definitely overheat.
Try to keep your laptops charger is a cool, and well ventilated area. If your experience charging issues with it, try to have a fan blowing on it and see if that fixes the issue. If it works, and you can’t immediately replace the charger. Having a fan blow on it can serve as a temporary fix.
Conclusion
So after all that we’ve discussed here you should easily be able to diagnose a fix an overheating laptop charger. Tell us why you think you think your charger is overheating, and how you fixed it by leaving a comment down below.
Also if you feel we missed anything important, be sure to leave that down below as well.
Hassaan has been passionate about technology for as long as he remembers, and aims to provide you with all the information you need to find the right laptop for you.