faulty charge adapter

[bawsyy94]

Hi I have a HP victus 15 laptop, the charger adapter seems to be faulty as it wont charge above 36.4w no matter how many programmes I load and games I run, therefore I'm getting an intermittent charge from it. It will charge for approx 30 seconds then just stop charging and doesn't usually come back on unless the laptop is turned off, and even then I have to unplug and plug it back in. Even still, sometimes it doesn't charge when the laptop is off. I don't have another HP laptop to check the charger in, however a 150w charger not going above 36.4w at high load seems like an issue to me.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @bawsyy94 

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for explaining the situation in such detail—it really helps narrow things down. It does sound like your adapter isn’t delivering consistent power, and I can imagine how inconvenient that must be, especially when you're relying on it for gaming or heavy workloads.

Here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

Check the Adapter and Cable:

• Ensure that the charger adapter and cable are not physically damaged.
• Check for any visible wear and tear or fraying.

Clean the Charging Ports:

• Use a soft brush or compressed air to clean the charging port on your laptop and the connector on your charger.

Test the Adapter:

• If possible, try using a different charger adapter that is compatible with your HP Victus 15 laptop to see if the issue persists.

Update Firmware and Drivers:

• Ensure that your laptop's BIOS and charging drivers are up-to-date. This can be done through the HP Support Assistant software or by visiting HP's official website.

Perform a Hard Reset:

• Power off your laptop, unplug the charger, and remove any connected peripherals.
• Press and hold the power button for about 15 seconds to discharge any residual power.
• Plug the charger back in and turn on your laptop to see if the issue is resolved.

Check the Power Settings:

• Go to Control Panel -> Power Options and ensure that power management settings are properly configured to not interfere with charging.

Run HP Battery and Adapter Diagnostics

• Tap Esc repeatedly at startup > press F2 for HP PC Hardware Diagnostics.
• Run the AC Adapter Test and Battery Test.
  These will check if the adapter is delivering expected wattage and if the battery is charging properly.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[bawsyy94]

Hi thanks for the reply, unfortunately i've tried all options except for the trying my charger in a different device as I only have the 1 HP laptop, and do not know anyone who has one either. I'm disappointed that it sounds like a charger fault as I don't use it every day and I have only had it for a year. Any further help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Rob

[Hawks_Eye]

@bawsyy94 

Thanks for the detailed follow-up—and I completely understand your frustration. A 150W adapter consistently capping at ~36W and cutting out intermittently is definitely not normal, especially for a gaming laptop like the HP Victus 15. 

Since you've already ruled out software and firmware issues, and the charger fails even when the laptop is off, this strongly points to a hardware-level fault in the adapter or its internal regulation circuitry.

Here’s what you can do next:

🔍 Step 1: Confirm Adapter Health with HP Diagnostics

Since you’ve already run the HP Hardware Diagnostics, double-check the AC Adapter Test result:

• If it shows “Adapter wattage too low” or “Failed”, that’s your confirmation.
• If it passed but still behaves erratically, the issue may be intermittent—which is harder to catch in a single test.

🧾 Step 2: Check Warranty on the Charger Itself

Even if your laptop’s warranty has expired, HP adapters often carry their own 1-year warranty. If you bought the laptop less than a year ago:

• Visit the HP Warranty Check page.
• Enter the serial number from the adapter (usually printed on the label).
• If it’s covered, you can request a free replacement.

🛒 Step 3: Consider a Replacement Adapter

If it’s out of warranty, I recommend replacing it with an official HP 150W Smart AC Adapter (part number varies by region). Avoid third-party chargers—they often underdeliver wattage or lack proper thermal regulation.

You can find the correct model by:

• Checking the part number on your current adapter.
• Searching for it on HP’s Parts Store or a trusted retailer.

You’ve done everything right so far, and your instincts were spot-on. 

Thanks,

Hawks_Eye

[bawsyy94]

Hi thanks again - I appreciate the feedback, I am 1 month past warranty but I really find it unacceptable that a charger with below average use should fail after 13 months, and then I'm expected to pay around £60 for a new one? I believe customer rights would have something to say for an employee admitting to a hardware failure just 13 months after purchase and then not offering a replacement. I do not believe it is right, as the chargers aren't cheap, to expect me to replace it after such a short time. This is clearly a quality issue, 13 months is no time for a charger to fail as I mentioned with below average use. If a free replacement could be organised for me, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks 

[Hawks_Eye]

@bawsyy94 

My sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused to you. We'd hate for you to be stuck in a situation like this. Because you matter to us.

I'm sending you a private message to guide you on the next steps.

Take care and have a great day!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye