Priority Electronics Blog

Want a new AC power adapter? Whether you’re looking for a replacement adapter, a spare, or an extra one for home/office use, our article will guide you toward making your decision.

Step 1: Check Your Current Adapter

On our site, there are two ways for you to find the adapter that will power your specific laptop model. First, you can find adapters by using our enhanced search tool to input the make, series, and model of your laptop. After you have inputted the information about your laptop a list of compatible products will appear. From there you can select the adapter you’re looking to purchase.

Second, you can input the part number in our search box. The part number is often located on the adapter on the underside of the power adapter box. Examples of part numbers are: 325112-001 or 09T215. After you input your part number, a list of products that will work with your laptop will appear.

Step 2: Volts

When looking at the specifications of an adapter you will see that some are made specifically for your laptop model and others are universal. Either type will work. Deciding between a universal and non-universal adapter is a matter of preference.

There are some advantages with choosing a universal laptop adapter. This type of adapter can be used with many laptops, which may be convenient if you have multiple laptops that are from different manufacturers or are different models. Every universal adapter comes with multiple tips to fit different laptops. They also have a switch for you to adjust the volts.

Whether you choose a universal or non-universal adapter you want to check the volts. Each laptop is unique and requires a different amount of energy. The amount of volts your unit requires is printed on the bottom of your laptop. You may also check your owner’s manual for this information. Using an adapter with less volts than is required for your laptop will not work. There simply will not be enough power to run it.

Step 3: For Travelers

Planning on leaving the country? The power outlets in European countries have different power ratings. Their outlets release more power than those in the U.S. Be sure to use an adapter that will prevent short circuits and ensure compatibility. Another option is to make sure your AC power adapter accepts 100-240 volts. You can find this information in the specifications section of each laptop ac power adapter.

Step 4: Resources

For our full line of discount laptop power adapters please CLICK HERE.

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Like all other electronic devices, laptop adapters eventually stop working. There are many causes from excessive wire bending, exposure to extreme temperatures, or simply that it’s an aging adapter. Unfortunately there is no definitive amount of time that adapters last. Their lifespan is dependant on how much they’re used. Below we list ways of checking if your adapter has ceased working.

Check Your Laptop

Your laptop adapter may not power your laptop due to a loose connector. Make sure all connectors are inserted correctly. Also, check the adapter box. Laptop adapters often have an LED light that lights up when your adapter is powering your laptop. If this light is off, then your laptop is not receiving any power.

Once you have checked all your adapter’s connectors take a look at the electrical outlet. The problem could simply be that the power socket you’re connected too is no longer working. Change sockets to rule it out.

For laptop DC power adapters check the DC-jack. These adapters must fit snugly. If you have to have your adapter plugged in just the right spot or angle, then your DC-jack may be broken.

Check Your Adapter

A bent cable can be the culprit of a malfunctioning power adapter. Think of this like a garden hose. If you pinch or bend a garden hose while it is running water, the water will not exit the hose. A laptop power adapter works in the same basic way.

Make sure nothing is resting on your power cable such as a book, laptop bag, or anything else that could pinch the adapter cable. If nothing is bending the cable, check the cable itself. The constant bending from storing your adapter could have exposed the wires within the adapter cable. This exposure can cause it to stop functioning properly.

Replacing Your Power Adapter

If you find that your adapter is no longer working, there are a few options for replacing it. The first option is to order the same or a similar compatible adapter. The second option is to order a universal one.

Note: Universal adapters come with multiple tips to fit the different types of laptops on the market. If in the future you choose to purchase a new laptop, a universal laptop AC power adapter may have a tip that will work with your new one. The advantage is that you would have a spare for future use or one to keep at home or in the office, which would make one less thing to carry.

Resources

For a full selection of laptop power adapters CLICK HERE.

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