How to Fix Laptop Not Working When Unplugged on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Many Windows 11 laptop users face the frustrating issue of their device not working properly when unplugged from the charger. This problem can disrupt your work or entertainment and cause unnecessary stress.

The good news is that there are several simple steps you can take to diagnose and fix this issue. Often, the problem relates to power settings, battery health, or hardware recognition.

This guide will walk you through easy solutions that don’t require technical expertise, helping you get your laptop running smoothly on battery power again.

Follow the instructions carefully, and you’ll likely resolve the problem quickly.

Quick Note: Before You Begin

Make sure your laptop battery is properly charged and physically connected.
Check that the power adapter and charging port are working correctly.
Ensure your Windows 11 system is up to date by going to Settings > Windows Update.
Have your laptop plugged in during some steps to avoid shutdown during troubleshooting.

Step 1: Check Your Power Settings

Windows 11 manages battery and power usage through power plans. Sometimes, incorrect settings can cause the laptop to shut down or stop working when unplugged.

Click the Start button and select Settings.
Go to System > Power & Battery.
Click on Power mode and select Balanced or Best performance.
Under the Screen and sleep section, ensure settings are not set to turn off too quickly when on battery.
Scroll down and click Additional power settings to open the classic Control Panel power options.
Choose your active power plan and click Change plan settings.
Click Change advanced power settings.
Expand Battery and check settings for actions like Critical battery action and Low battery level.
Make sure these actions are set to Sleep or Hibernate instead of Shut down, which might cause sudden power off.

Adjusting power settings ensures Windows handles your battery properly, preventing shutdowns or freezes when unplugged.

Step 2: Update Battery Drivers

If Windows doesn’t recognize your battery correctly, the laptop may misbehave when unplugged. Updating or reinstalling battery drivers can fix this.

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand the Batteries category.
You will see two items: Microsoft AC Adapter and Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.
Right-click on Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery and select Uninstall device.
Confirm if prompted, then restart your laptop.
Windows will automatically reinstall the battery driver on reboot.

This process refreshes the battery driver and can resolve recognition issues causing the unplugged problem.

Step 3: Run the Power Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes built-in troubleshooters that can detect and fix common power issues automatically.

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Find Power in the list and click Run.
Follow the on-screen instructions. The troubleshooter will scan for power-related problems and suggest fixes.

This tool is helpful for beginners as it automates much of the troubleshooting process.

Step 4: Check Battery Health

A failing or degraded battery might cause your laptop to stop working when unplugged. Windows 11 allows you to check battery health using the command prompt.

Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Type the following command and press Enter:

powercfg /batteryreport

This generates a battery report saved to a file path shown in the command prompt (usually in your user folder).

Navigate to the file location and open battery-report.html in a web browser.
Review the Battery capacity history and Battery life estimates sections to see if your battery health is poor.

If the report shows significant battery degradation, consider replacing the battery or consulting a professional.

Step 5: Reset Power Plan to Default

If you suspect that custom power plans are causing issues, resetting the power plan to default can help.

Open Command Prompt as administrator (same as Step 4).
Type the following command and press Enter:

powercfg -restoredefaultschemes

This command resets all power plans to their default settings, eliminating any problematic customizations.

Alternative Method: BIOS/UEFI Battery Settings

Sometimes, laptop BIOS or UEFI settings control battery behavior and charging. If none of the above steps work, try checking your BIOS settings.

Restart your laptop and enter BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing F2, DEL, or ESC during boot).
Look for battery or power management settings.
Ensure battery charging and power management features are enabled.
Save changes and exit.

Be cautious when changing BIOS settings. If unsure, consult your laptop manufacturer’s support documentation.

FAQs

Why does my laptop only work when plugged in?

Your laptop may have a faulty battery, incorrect power settings, or driver issues that prevent it from running on battery power.

Can a laptop battery suddenly stop working?

Yes, batteries degrade over time and can fail suddenly, especially if overheated or exposed to physical damage.

Is it safe to uninstall battery drivers?

Yes, Windows will reinstall the drivers automatically after reboot. This is a common troubleshooting step.

How do I know if my battery needs replacing?

The battery report generated by powercfg /batteryreport shows capacity over time. A big drop compared to design capacity indicates replacement is needed.

Will resetting power plans delete my custom settings?

Yes, resetting power plans restores default settings and removes any custom power configurations.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and your laptop still won’t work when unplugged, it may be a hardware problem. The battery itself or the power circuit inside your laptop might be damaged.

At this point, contact your laptop manufacturer’s support or visit an authorized service center for professional diagnosis and repair.

You can also visit the official Microsoft support page for Windows 11 power issues: https://support.microsoft.com/windows

Conclusion

When your Windows 11 laptop does not work unplugged, it is often due to power settings, driver issues, or battery health. Starting with simple checks and adjustments like power plan settings and driver updates can solve most problems.

Running Windows troubleshooters and reviewing battery health reports provide deeper insights if the issue persists. Resetting power plans and checking BIOS settings offer additional fixes.

If none of these solutions work, professional hardware evaluation may be necessary. Keeping your laptop updated and monitoring battery health regularly helps prevent future problems.