Hey DG,

From the info you provided, this sounds like it’s an issue with the battery being unable to charge properly, discharge properly, or hold a charge. Depending on how old it is and the battery usage, it could be a battery that’s struggling to hold a decent charge because of resistance buildup over time.

Perhaps you can try running the battery test to see the readout:

Press “CTRL + ALT + T”
Type “battery_test” (without the quotes) and hit Enter.

Do you get an error? Does the Chromebook see a detectable battery? How’s the battery condition?

If you double-checked that the cable from the battery to the motherboard is plugged in, chances are that it’s an issue with the battery.

And you’re still under the original warranty, it may be worth it to send it in for a replacement (from the manufacturer or retailer). Otherwise, a replacement battery may be the cheapest way to fix it.

You may also find these articles helpful:
Replacing a Chromebook battery
Maximizing battery performance

Let me know if you find out the problem!
Thanks.

Hey Seth Barricklow,

Heat shields are definitely in the minority of Chromebooks and the few times that I’ve come across them, they came out OK (though, one did have a missing screw).

First, you’d want to make sure you’re taking all the necessary safety precautions before doing this and that your battery is fully discharged. Please be careful and consider the hazards (both for you and your Chromebook) before you decide to move forward. Proceed at your own risk.

If the screw is stripped, you could try using a screw extractor to pull it out. Since the screws are tiny, you may have a tough time trying to pry it out. Let alone working with sensitive electronics and a power source could give you a bad time.

You also want to be extra careful to not damage the Chromebook or the battery. A screw extractor can remove stripped screws, but it usually needs some space to work with in order to do so. Most hardware stores sell manual screw removers that look like a stainless steel screwdriver.

This does require some experience or else the screw could get even more “stuck” when used incorrectly. You’ll need to be dexterous and precise. Drilling into the battery or wrong component is an electrical hazard. Do you know how stripped the screw is? Is there anything left to clasp?

If you’re inexperienced, I’d throw it over to a local computer repair shop. If you just need the stripped screw removed, they sometimes do it for free (or a very low cost).

Just be sure to be careful!

Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks.

Hey Matt,

Is the light blinking or solid? Does it only light up when you plug in the charger?

Thanks.

Hey csmb,

Does the connector work OK? Did it just “stop” working all of sudden? Or was it over time where the system wouldn’t charge?

Thanks.