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February 26th, 2026 18:01
Dell Latitude 5420 laptop, the charging indicator light does not light up when the laptop is off.
On a Dell Latitude 5420 laptop, when I connect the charger to the Charging Port while the laptop is off, the charging indicator does not light up. So it is not clear whether it is charging or not, and after leaving it connected like this, the light suddenly lights up after about 30/40 minutes. Then it is clear that it is charging.
But, when the laptop is on, the charging indicator lights up as soon as the charging line is connected. Then there is no problem.
Another thing is, when the laptop is off, if I connect the charger to the Thunderbolt port of the laptop instead of the charging port, the charging indicator lights up properly.
Now I can't understand the exact problem. I tried it on several switches including my multi-plug, and the same issue is happening.
Is there any solution to this?



ejn63
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February 26th, 2026 19:58
If that's with a different cable than the AC adapter, it's possible the USB-C plug on the adapter is damaged. You may want to try a new, OEM Dell AC adapter.
ejn63
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February 26th, 2026 18:53
Is this a Latitude 5420 (2021 model) or an E5420 (2011 model)?
MKW10
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February 26th, 2026 19:00
@ejn63 Brother, Its Latitude 5420.
ejn63
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February 26th, 2026 19:01
The Latitude 5420 charges over USB-C Thunderbolt -- it doesn't have a separate charging port (the E5420 does).
If the system is a 5420 and does charge over a USB-C cable but not with the OEM adapter, the adapter is suspect.
If the system is an E5420 and charges over USB-C/Thunderbolt but not with the barrel connector, it's either the adapter, the barrel port or the mainboard that's faulty.
(edited)
MKW10
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February 26th, 2026 19:09
@ejn63
Brother, mine is Latitude 5420, not E series. And it also has the option of USB Type-C charging port. However, I could not understand whether it is an OEM adapter or not. I mean whether it is original or not. However, the charging indicator of the laptop used to work properly before. I have been suffering from this problem for quite a long time. Due to which, now I have to charge the laptop by turning it on.
I also thought that maybe it is not getting power properly, so I checked by plugging the charger into all the plugs in the house. Same situation.
If you could tell me the main thing to do in this case, I would have benefited.
ejn63
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February 26th, 2026 19:40
Both USB-C/Thunderbolt ports on the left side will charge the system. They are identical in functionality.
If one works and the other doesn't, the port that doesn't work (or doesn't work reliably) is likely not making good contact either with the plug or the mainboard. If the other does work, just continue using it.
The only sure repair for a bad or marginal USB-C/Thunderbolt port is either to have it replaced (requires soldering and likely a cost of at least $100-200) or to replace the system board at similar cost.
MKW10
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February 26th, 2026 19:46
@ejn63 Brother I understand.
This is really disappointing for me :(
It occurs only when the laptop is off. But, when the laptop is on, if I connect the charger to the charging port, the indicator lights up immediately.
Also, everything works properly with this Type-C pen drive. The only main problem is that when the laptop is off, I can't see the charger when I connect it to the charging port, because the indicator doesn't light up.
MKW10
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February 26th, 2026 19:49
@ejn63 I forgot to mention one important thing, sorry.
That is, if I connect the phone's Type-C charger to the USB Type-C charging port while the laptop is off, the charging indicator lights up.
I just did this to test if there is any issue with my laptop's charger.
MKW10
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February 27th, 2026 17:05
@ejn63 Ok Brother, I will try a new OEM Dell AC Adapter and I hope the problem will be solved.
MKW10
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March 1st, 2026 11:25
@ejn63 Now, after changing my AC Adapter, everything is normal.