Hi there,
I know, same question as probably other 1000 users.
I have a Dell Inspiron 15 3521 (even though it says 5521 when I log on Dell UK), running Windows 8.
all of a sudden my battery started discharging progressively, until one day it reached 0%, and from that day onwards, the icon with the red cross always appears in my taskbar.
I've tried to resolve the issue by running Dell diagnostic, which resulted utterly useless. every time I tried to run a diagnostic there was a problem despite me being right in front of my WiFi router.
I've never managed to get in touch with Dell, mainly because I'm a complete dumb when it comes to pc's.
Now desperate, I purchased a refurbished Dell battery on ebay, and still the system won't detect it; once plugged in it shows the charging icon (without telling the percentage) and after 1min the red cross comes again. It behaves exactly the same as the one I've already got.
I'm assuming my AC adapter works fine, otherwise I would have not be able to use my laptop in the last months, and of course the computer runs with the battery completely disconnected. (correct?)
Before discharging completely my battery worked just fine, it all happened in a matter of 2 days. I've always tried to look after it, and more importantly, my inspiron is 1years old. Purchased from Dell Outlet on january 2014 (warranty expired 3 days ago, well done me).
I've tried pretty much all sort of DIY methods, but the BIOS won't update because the system does not detect the battery.
ePSA error code is: 2000-0131, and the message is "the battery is not installed".
I'm a complete NOOB, I was an idiot because my warranty is now expired, and technical support is off on the weekend.
save me, pleease !