ASUS Laptop Won't Turn On, No Lights

[reziemer4]

I have a 5 year old ASUS model U46E. Last time I used it was sunday and it worked just fine. Today during class I try and turn it on and nothing happens. I plug it in and the charging light doesn't even go on. I try another outlet and the same thing. I get home to try another outlet and it still does nothing. Holding the power button for 20 seconds did nothing as well. Any help will be appreciated as I've been using it as a daily laptop and it's been a great one.

 

[Autocrat]

adapter could be broken.

 

[boosted1g]

As suggested the adapter being broken would be the first thing I would test.

Borrow or get a multimeter, and set it to 20v DC (that is the straight line, not the curvy one)
Get a piece of wire (preferably solid and not stranded) and put it in the center of the round plug from the power adapter.
With the adapter plugged in, touch the red lead on multimeter to that wire, and the black lead to the outside metal of the power adapter plug (do not touch either the wire or the outside of the plug with your body, you wont get shocked but it will cause the readings to be wrong).
Compare the voltage to the voltage listed as Output on the power adapter (most are 16 or 19v). If it is much lower then that (or zero) then you have a dead power adapter.

If the power adapter tests good then the likely thing is the battery.
Take the battery out, plug the power adapter in, and see if it will turn on. If it does then replace the battery.

If both adapter and battery are fine then you either have a bad DC jack connection or a bad motherboard.
I had an ASUS laptop that I had to resolder the DC Jack because it cracked.



If the power adapter is bad, do not buy a generic "Replacement brand" power supply. Buy either the ASUS branded one or a DELTA branded one (Delta makes the power supplies for ASUS so these are exactly the same). I have seen far too many laptops fried due to cheapo power supplies). You can almost always find the actual ASUS or Delta ones on Amazon for only $5-10 more then the cheapo ones.

 

[reziemer4]

I think my power adaptor is alright because when I plug it into the wall the little green light on the box on the cord is on.
I just took out the battery and then plugged it in and it turned on. I'm guessing that means that I need a new battery correct?

 

[boosted1g]

Correct you need a new battery.

When it comes to Power Adapters I 100% urge to go with nothing but OEM adapter.

When it comes to battery's on the other hand it is hit or miss.
Sometimes a third-party battery wont work at all but often it will work just fine. Anker is a decent brand if possible.
What i have found is (assuming the battery works) the third-party ones will show decreased charging ability quicker (so if it takes the OEM battery 2 years it will take the third party one 12-16 months).
Now considering the Third-Party is often half the cost or less this makes the third-party potentially the more economic choice, even if you have to replacement once more.