# How can I get my laptop to charge. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 14, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-my-laptop-to-charge/589074 "2011-07-14T23:52:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![automagic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@automagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/automagic)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-my-laptop-to-charge/589074/1 "2011-07-14T23:52:44Z")
My laptop is almost 6 years old now and I know my battery needs to be replaced but its not holding any charge. If I unplug the cord for longer than 3 seconds (literally) it will shut off. I just want to be able to charge it so it will be OK for 1 minute as I move from one room to the other. Just to add if I hold the cursor over the battery icon it says “0% available (plugged in, not charging)” Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-my-laptop-to-charge/589074/2 "2011-07-14T23:58:27Z")
Getting a new battery is your only realistic option. ETA: The only other option would be to get one of those [small](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ups&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&hl=en&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1024&bih=638&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=1793459493358532400&sa=X&ei=F4MfTqz3CYfZ0QH_ociXAw&ved=0CLMBEOUNMAM) [UPS](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ups&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1024&bih=638&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=10582494794051361725&sa=X&ei=VoMfTvnhGurg0QH4go3XAw&ved=0CLcBEPMCMAQ) (battery backups) that you could move from room to room with it attached to your laptop. ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-my-laptop-to-charge/589074/3 "2011-07-15T11:16:28Z")
I wonder if you could hibernate while on AC and then run to the other room. There has to be at least a tiny bit left of the battery for this to work. If the battery is dead, truly 0%, nothing will work. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-my-laptop-to-charge/589074/4 "2011-07-15T13:30:54Z")
> [@Al\_Bundy](#): > > I wonder if you could hibernate while on AC and then run to the other room. There has to be at least a tiny bit left of the battery for this to work. If the battery is dead, truly 0%, nothing will work. I’m not sure if this is correct for true [hibernation.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernation_(computing)) However, this doesn’t really save you much time versus powering off - it just saves everything you’re working on at the moment in the special hibernation file on the hard disk. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-my-laptop-to-charge/589074/5 "2011-07-15T14:06:06Z")
If you simply want to move it from one room to another, I think the simplest solution is a really long extension cord. Plug the extension in the hallway, and bring the other end to where the laptop is. Quickly unplug the charger from the wall and connect it to the extension cord. Leisurely bring the laptop closer to where you want it. If necessary, plug it back in an intermediate wall, and then repeat procedure as needed until complete. ---
**Author:** ![K-MAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/838e76/32.png) [@K-MAN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K-MAN)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-my-laptop-to-charge/589074/6 "2011-07-15T14:07:28Z")
Also, maybe try the sleep mode mode? But, if the battery is truly dead, than it won’t work…