Symptoms
- Full charge now takes several hours longer than it used to
- Battery percentage climbs very slowly even when idle
- Charging seems fine at first but slows dramatically near the end
- Laptop was recently used with a different or weaker charger
Likely causes
- CommonUsing a lower-wattage charger than the laptop originally shipped withA 45W charger on a laptop designed for 65–90W will charge noticeably slower.
- CommonHeavy CPU/GPU use while charging competing for available powerGaming or video editing while plugged in can slow the charging rate significantly.
- PossibleAging battery charging more conservatively to protect its remaining healthSome battery management systems intentionally slow charging as cells age.
- PossibleCharging port or cable degradation limiting current flowA partially damaged connection can restrict how much power gets through.
- Less commonThermal throttling of the charging rateIf the laptop or battery is running hot, charging speed is deliberately reduced.
What to do
- Confirm the charger's wattage matches what the laptop originally came with, printed on the underside of the adapter.
- Close demanding apps and let the laptop sit idle while charging to see if speed improves.
- Check battery health/condition in system settings for signs of aging.
- Feel whether the laptop or battery area is warm while charging, since heat slows charging on purpose.
- Try a different, correctly-rated cable and charger to rule out a degraded connection.
- Note if slow charging is consistent every time or only near a full charge, which is often normal trickle-charging behavior.
Tools and parts
- None required
Correct-wattage replacement chargerSearch: “[laptop model] original charger wattage”
When to call a pro
If a correctly-rated charger and idle charging are still much slower than expected, have the battery and charging circuit tested by a professional.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.