Laptop power problem, help?

Check the hole the power adapter goes into - sometimes these contain sprung loaded type splines that bend over time - you might just need to gently bend them back into shape - to grip the power lead tip

Either you've got a dry joint or you've got a broken power jack.

As the mobo is multi-layer and is wave soldered, changing a component is very risky... the best solution is to buy a new power jack that matches the existing one in shape, size and fixing, take the existing one off in pieces (so you only have to unsolder 1 hole at a time), clean the solder off and replace with the new part. This will fix both dry joint issues and failing socket.

The problems?

1) You MUST use good earthing or you risk blowing some electronics.

2) You MUST use a very low leakage iron or you risk lowing some electronics.

3) You MUST use a very small tipped iron to minimise the heated area

4) You MUST minimise the time you heat the board or you risk damaging the board or other components by overheating.

5) If your laptop is ROHS compliant the 'solder' won't be lead based and will have a high melting point, so it will be even more risky. If you use ordinary solder, your laptop will lose ROHS compliance... not a worry for an inividual though.

6) Make sure you use low flux, non corrosive fine solder. Clean off any residues you can with a non corrosive cleaner.

That's why I say you need to destroy the original socket... so you get to undo one solder joint at a time.

If it's an expensive laptop, pay someone to do the work... their insurance will pay if they burn something out. If it's a cheap laptop, take the disk drive out first so worst-case you won't lose your data... and back it up first so even if it gets damaged by the rebuilt laptop you've not lost the data.

Oh, and take out all the batteries too... including the on-board BIOS one... as you do not want the circuitry live in any way while you are waving an iron around over it.

Opening up a laptop is a harrowing experience, only recommended to professionals with the right tools. I gather it must be out of warranty or you won't be contemplating it. I have done it a few times, but it was always stressful. Once you start, you will begin to regret it, but once you get to the 'point of no return' you will feel like going on. It's then when things can get really hairy. Make sure you know exactly where each screw come from and don't force anything or you will crack something. When you get to the PSU socket, examine the joints carefully. Chances are it will be a multi-layered board and you may have a job trying to get to the right spot to re-solder. But you might be lucky and find that the problem bit is on the top layer. Hopefully, you don;t have to replace the socket, or it could mount up in price, even DIY.

Good luck.

I'm having the same problem with my HP laptop... When it is plugged in, the socket moves around a bit which makes it run on the battery... I can't recharge my battery because of the poor connection. I've opened my laptop and saw it was at the top, but I don't know anything about fixing it so I just bought a new laptop. I would love to get it fixed and give it to my niece.

If it's not what the guy above said, it could be a cracked / dry joint, which are difficult to spot with your eyes alone.

You'll possibly need to take the socket off and solder it back on again, you'll need a grounded soldering iron with low impedence and a kneedle nose adapter for it. You'll also need a roll of copper solder-mop and a LOT of patience.

You should take anti-static precautions - use an earth plug, wrist band, and earth *everything* to the earth plug, including yourself, the motherboard, and the soldering iron (even if it says its got a grounded tip)