Why Is USB C Not Charging Laptop – 7 Ways to Fix It

What’s the use of having a fancy charging method if it doesn’t even work half the time? It’s frustrating to have your laptop die on you when you’re on the go and can’t even charge it through USB-C. But don’t worry; in this blog, we’ll explore some common reasons why USB-C may not be charging your laptop and give you some practical solutions to fix the issue.

So, if you’re having charging problems with your laptop, keep reading to find out why and how you can resolve this pesky problem.

Reasons Why USB C Is Not Charging Laptop

Before moving on to solutions, it is important to know what the error occurs. There can be several reasons why a USB-C port is not charging a laptop.

Here are some common explanations:

• Insufficient power delivery: USB-C ports have different power delivery capabilities. If the USB-C port you are using doesn’t provide enough power to charge your laptop or doesn’t support charging at all, it may not charge your device.
• Incompatible charger or cable: USB-C chargers and cables come in various power ratings and standards. If you’re using an incompatible charger or cable that doesn’t meet the power requirements of your laptop, it may not charge properly.
• Faulty charger or cable: Sometimes, the charger or cable itself can be defective or damaged, leading to charging issues. A frayed or broken cable, or a faulty charger, can prevent proper power delivery to the laptop.
• Laptop settings: Some laptops have specific power settings that can affect charging via USB-C. It’s worth checking the power settings in your laptop’s operating system to ensure they are configured correctly for USB-C charging.
• Insufficient battery level: If your laptop’s battery level is extremely low or drained completely, some laptops may not charge through USB-C until the battery reaches a minimum threshold.
• Software or driver issues: Occasionally, software or driver problems can interfere with USB-C charging. Outdated or incompatible drivers, as well as certain system configurations, can prevent the laptop from charging via USB-C.
• Hardware malfunction: In some cases, the issue may lie with the laptop’s hardware itself. A malfunctioning USB-C port, damaged power circuitry, or a faulty battery can all prevent proper charging.
• Power source limitations: If you are connecting your laptop to a USB-C port on another device, such as a monitor or docking station, the power supply of that device may not be sufficient to charge the laptop.

How to Fix USB C Not Charging Laptop

#1. Make Sure You’re Using the Right Port

USB-C can be a pain sometimes, and figuring out what you’re dealing with can be challenging. For example, some devices may have two USB-C ports, one designated for charging and data transfer and the other for data transfer. So if you’re having trouble charging your device, ensure you’re connected to the correct port. You may even see a little icon on the side that tells you which port is for charging. But if you really want to live on the edge, you can always plug in and see what happens! 

#2. Insufficient Power

If you are experiencing insufficient power when trying to charge your laptop through USB-C, here are some steps you can follow to fix it:

1. Check your laptop’s power requirements: First, find your laptop’s power requirements. Check the user manual or the manufacturer’s website for this information. If your computer requires more than 100 watts of power, USB-C may not be enough to charge it. You may need to use a separate laptop charger. In this case, you may need to use a dedicated laptop charger.
2. Check your USB-C charger’s power output: Next, check the power output of your USB-C charger. Ensure your laptop charger can deliver the required power to charge your laptop. Check the charger’s output specifications and ensure it can provide the necessary voltage and amperage for your computer.
3. Check your USB-C cable: ensure that your USB-C cable can handle the power output necessary. If you’re using a low-quality line, it might cause your charging system to malfunction. 
4. Use a USB-C hub or dock: In addition, you might consider using a USB-C hub or dock if your laptop requires more power than a single USB-C port can provide
5. Disable unnecessary peripherals: try disconnecting any peripherals or USB devices that may be drawing power from your laptop. 
6. Update your laptop’s firmware: Some laptops require an update to support USB-C charging correctly. Check your laptop manufacturer’s website for any available firmware updates and install them if necessary.
7. Contact the manufacturer: If none of these steps solve the issue, you may need to contact your laptop’s manufacturer for further assistance.

#3. Lose the Battery

Try checking the battery to eliminate any remaining power in the device, remove the removable battery from your laptop and then press and hold the power controller for approximately 15 seconds. After that, plug the laptop into a power outlet and try turning it on again.

If the laptop powers on properly, the power adapter works fine, and the problem is probably a faulty battery. You could try re-installing the battery and see if that works. If your laptop has no visible battery compartment, it’s probably built into the device (like most Macs are). You’ll have to open the laptop or take it to a repair specialist to check the battery.

#4. Is Your Charger Powerful Enough?

Did you know that just because your laptop’s charging port can fit a power adapter doesn’t mean it will be strong enough to charge your device? This is especially true for laptops that charge over USB-C. You can plug in any USB-PD charger, but some may have low wattage to charge your laptop correctly. 

So, it’s essential to check the wattage of the charger that came with your laptop. If it came with a 45W charger, you’d want to find something just as substantial, or even stronger, to power it correctly. Otherwise, a lower-wattage charger might keep your battery from draining while you’re using it. However, it won’t be strong enough to charge it. And if it does manage to recharge your computer, it’ll do so much slower than usual. 

It’s generally best to use the charger that came with it or one made by the same company. However, if you must use a third-party USB-C charger, ensure it’s certified by the USB-IF to avoid any potential risks.

For laptops that don’t charge over USB-C, it’s even more important to stick with the manufacturer’s official charger. Those cheap chargers on Amazon might be tempting due to their low price, but they’re often low-quality and downright dangerous.

If you need a replacement charger, it’s best to contact the manufacturer directly and order one from them. It might cost a bit more, but you’ll know you’re getting a quality component that won’t cause any harm.

#5. Update Battery Drivers

Here are the steps to troubleshoot a faulty driver issue for laptop charging:

1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
2. Under the Batteries category, you should see a few items listed, typically one for the charger and one labeled as “Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery,” although there may be others.
3. Right-click each item and select Update Driver.

And if updating the drivers doesn’t work, you can download the newest drivers from the manufacturer’s website. But if you want to go all out, try ultimately uninstalling the “Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery” and restarting your laptop. That should prompt Windows to reinstall the driver from scratch.

#6. Beat the Heat

If your system gets too hot, the battery could malfunction, and the charging process could be affected. The battery sensor may fail, causing the computer to think that the battery is fully charged or completely missing. Sometimes, the system may shut down to prevent the battery from overheating and causing a fire. It’s best to keep your laptop cool to avoid such situations.

Ah, your old laptop is heating up? No surprise there. They’re better than the newer models and can’t handle anything. Plus, using it on the couch or in bed will get blocked up and overheat. One of the best activities you can do is shut it down, give it a break, and ensure no dust clogs up the vents. If it keeps happening, you can always download software to monitor the temperature, like Core Temp for PCs or Fanny for Macs.

#7. Problems Inside

When all your efforts to fix your laptop have failed – you’ve tried every power cable and battery, double-checked your settings, and resolved any potential software issues – the problem is likely coming from an internal part that you can’t fix on your own. It’s the perfect time to reach out to tech support.

Many internal components can cause problems when they don’t work correctly or fail. Common culprits include a flawed motherboard, broken charging circuits, and malfunctioning battery sensors. Of course, your specific laptop model and make will have distinct issues, and a veteran tech support representative will have experienced them all.

The tech support agent will probably make you go through all those tedious steps you mentioned earlier. However, they may also have some inside knowledge of the specific flaws and defects in your hardware or software. Also, remember to contact your manufacturer to see what repairs your warranty covers. Who knows, they’ll fix your stuff for once.

Conclusion

Listen up, folks! If your USB-C laptop isn’t charging, you must figure out what’s causing it. Whether it’s the crappy cables or outdated drivers, there are several grounds why your laptop might not charge. However, don’t worry; we’ve got your back! Follow the steps in this blog to fix the issue quickly. Check your laptop’s power requirements, the USB-C charger’s output, and cables, and update your drivers. By doing so, you’ll be able to get your laptop charged up and ready to go again. So stop procrastinating and get to fixing that laptop!

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