Lenovo Flex 3 (1580) repeatedly says "plugged in", followed by "unplugged" over and over (Not charging)

Torian103 · Nov 19, 2016

Hey all, I'm having this strange issue with my Lenovo Flex 3.

My computer, when plugged in, will say it is plugged in, then immediately go back to unplugged, then back to plugged in etc etc.

My initial thoughts were that the charger was dead, no biggie. Grabbed another charger and... Same issue.

Then I thought "Hmm, maybe it's the DC jack", so I bought working one from ebay. Plugged it into my laptop, same issue. I'm out of ideas.

My battery unfortunately is drained, so I cannot turn the computer on.

Anyone got any ideas or if this is common?

webworkings · Nov 20, 2016

First, if it is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer about a repair or replacement.

If not, have you checked to make sure the battery in it isn't loose? Has room to shift around? If it does, this could cause the intermittent charging. You should also try charging it when it is fully off, to see if it works. Also, have you tried plugging it in when the battery is out? Can it turn on then?

If none of this gets you anywhere I would start looking for burnouts, etc., on the motherboard.

Torian103 · Nov 20, 2016

I have tried unplugging the battery and it does not boot still. It will power on for a second before shutting down again.

jarotech · Nov 20, 2016

Hi, the problem is around the charging circuit, a component (transistor, chip) is defective on the motherboard.

Torian103 · Nov 20, 2016

jarotech :

Ah, gotcha. Do you think this might be something that I might be able to repair, or do you think I need to replace the motherboard?

My computer is no longer under warranty.

jarotech · Nov 20, 2016

I do not want to discourage you, but it all depends on your ability to solder components, they have small contacts. On this site I helped a few people repair the motherboard of their laptop, but they had the equipment and skill to do so.

Torian103 · Nov 20, 2016

jarotech :

I will probably just take it to a professional just to be on the safe side. It'd be cheaper than buying a new motherboard most likely.

Thank you for the help.

jarotech · Nov 20, 2016

The problem could be just a transistor, it's easy to find and repair.

patilgs · Feb 7, 2017

Hello,
Did you find a solution to this problem?
My Lenovo Flex 3 is having the exact same problem and I'm trying to find a fix before I send it to Lenovo and get it repaired out of warranty.
Thanks
-Gaurav

Torian103 :

Torian103 · Feb 7, 2017

patilgs :

Hey, funny enough I did! It's a Lenovo software that caused the issue. I'm unsure of the exact name of the program, but just trying removing all of the Lenovo programs. I believe it's a battery calibrator that just plain doesn't work for Windows 10. Typically Lenovo.

patilgs · Feb 7, 2017

Oh wow!
That gives me some hope.
Will try this tonight and see if it works.
Would it be possible for you to find out the name of the software that might be causing this?
Thank you so much!
-Gaurav

Torian103 :

patilgs :

Hey, funny enough I did! It's a Lenovo software that caused the issue. I'm unsure of the exact name of the program, but just trying removing all of the Lenovo programs. I believe it's a battery calibrator that just plain doesn't work for Windows 10. Typically Lenovo.

Torian103 · Feb 7, 2017

patilgs :

Hello,
Did you find a solution to this problem?
My Lenovo Flex 3 is having the exact same problem and I'm trying to find a fix before I send it to Lenovo and get it repaired out of warranty.
Thanks
-Gaurav

Torian103 :

I believe it is called "Power Management".

patilgs · Feb 8, 2017

Thanks for the help. I uninstalled a bunch of things and installed a bunch of other things from the Lenovo support page and tht kind of worked.
Now the earlier issue is gone but the laptop doesn't charge anymore. It say "plugged in, charging" and the battery percentage doesn't drop until it is plugged in but it doesn't go up either. It behaves normally when not plugged in and the battery percentage goes down.
Talked to Lenovo technical support and they refused to help me since it is out of warranty and told me to get it repaired from someone else which was kind of rude.

Torian103 :

Torian103 · Feb 8, 2017

patilgs :

Thanks for the help. I uninstalled a bunch of things and installed a bunch of other things from the Lenovo support page and tht kind of worked.
Now the earlier issue is gone but the laptop doesn't charge anymore. It say "plugged in, charging" and the battery percentage doesn't drop until it is plugged in but it doesn't go up either. It behaves normally when not plugged in and the battery percentage goes down.
Talked to Lenovo technical support and they refused to help me since it is out of warranty and told me to get it repaired from someone else which was kind of rude.

Torian103 :

I would recommend backing up your personal data and reverting to Windows 8.1/7 personally. Or do a clean install of windows 10.

patilgs · Feb 8, 2017

Tried resetting windows 10 using Lenovo recovery that didn't work and took me back to the "plugged in", followed by "unplugged" over and over problem.
So, I did a clean Windows 10 install from a USB flash drive and now it's stuck at 59% with power plugged in...not charging or discharging.
I have also tried disconnecting and reconnecting the battery by removing the back cover and that hasn't helped either. I'm starting to believe this might be an hardware issue but can't zero in on what that issue might be.

[/quotemsg]

I would recommend backing up your personal data and reverting to Windows 8.1/7 personally. Or do a clean install of windows 10.[/quotemsg]

Torian103 · Feb 8, 2017

patilgs :

I would recommend backing up your personal data and reverting to Windows 8.1/7 personally. Or do a clean install of windows 10.[/quotemsg]

[/quotemsg]

Have you tried downgrading to Windows 8.1 or 7?

patilgs · Feb 8, 2017

No, I haven't. My laptop actually came with Windows 10 on it so I'm not sure if it will be able to use the same license if I try to put Windows 8.1 on it.

Torian103 :

[/quotemsg]

Have you tried downgrading to Windows 8.1 or 7?
[/quotemsg]

rajtummala · Jun 8, 2017

Hai Did you fix this issue .. Because recently I have the same issue. When i update the lenovo settings. It shows AC adapter has limited support. Ac adapter cannot provide enough power for normal operation of your computer .You may be able to charge your battery with Ac adapter if your computer is in sleep or shut down state.

patrick.meiger · Aug 14, 2017

Hi Torian

i am a bit of confused regarding your issue, you said your battery is drained so you cannot turn your laptop on then you said you removed the software.

can you clarify because im having the same exact issue of it not turning on?

appreciate your help buddy

Torian103 :

patilgs :

Hey, funny enough I did! It's a Lenovo software that caused the issue. I'm unsure of the exact name of the program, but just trying removing all of the Lenovo programs. I believe it's a battery calibrator that just plain doesn't work for Windows 10. Typically Lenovo.

spikecool.2014 · Jan 15, 2018

jarotech :

Can u please help me find it?

I have been trying to find a fix for eternity and I think this is the problem

001lost001 · Jan 19, 2018

jarotech :

I too have been through all of the easy stuff, and would like to pursue replacing the faulty transistor. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

001lost001 · Jan 19, 2018

The battery is marked: 11.1v 45Wh 4050mAh

So my question is, would something like the device below function as an independent charging circuit?

3Series 11.1V 12V 12.6V Li-ion Lithium 18650 Battery Charging Protection Board PCB BMS Module(10-13A)

AVAILABLE HERE

I am thinking remove the charging port cable from the MB and solder the ends directly to this board. Then connect the output of this board directly to the battery. I can't locate the image right now, but if you lift the black plastic wrapping from the corner where the wires enter the battery pack you will find 7 test points one could easily solder connections to.

Using this method you will lose the ability to see the charging status because it will always think it's running off the battery. Personally I feel that would be a small price to pay for a functional machine.

~lost

jarotech · Jan 19, 2018

What is the problem with the laptop? Does it work with the adapter and not with the battery?

yort · Mar 1, 2018

jarotech :

Jarotech, could you help me identify what transistor or component is causing the problem with the charge circuit. I am having the same problem with my lenovo flex 3 1480. Lenovo wants $880 for a replacement board and I haven't been able to find a used one that matches my computers component specs.

jarotech · Mar 1, 2018

yort :

Sorry, I have not found a schematic for the Lenovo Flex 1480, so without the schematic, it will take too much time to find the defective part.

Lenovo Flex 3 (1580) repeatedly says "plugged in", followed by "unplugged" over and over (Not charging)

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