Windows Laptop Not Charging With USB-C? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• A charger that isn’t compatible with your PC or isn’t powerful enough
• A charger that isn’t connected to a charging port
• A charging cable that doesn’t meet the power requirements
• Dust or dirt in the USB port
• A charger connected through a hub or dock

Step-by-Step Solutions

Work through these steps in order, and check the Battery icon on the taskbar after each one to see whether your laptop has started charging.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check what Windows says about charging

   Windows tells you when a USB-C charger isn’t charging your PC or is charging it slowly.

   With your laptop plugged in, hover over or select the Battery icon on the taskbar. You might see a status message that says your PC is charging slowly or discharging.

   Windows can also show a USB-C notification, such as PC isn’t charging or Slow charger. When a slow charger is connected and the battery is discharging, a battery icon with a warning on it appears in the system tray.

   Good to know

   To choose whether you see notifications about USB issues, select Search, type usb and select USB settings from the list of results. Then turn Connection notifications on or off.

2. 2

   Step 2: Use the charger and cable that came with your PC

   A charger that isn’t compatible with your PC, or isn’t powerful enough, is one of the possible causes Windows lists when a PC isn’t charging.

   Use the charger and cable included with your PC. The PC isn’t charging notification also says to use the recommended charger and cable.

   Some USB-C chargers use a proprietary charger. Your PC might only be able to use a charger from your PC manufacturer.

3. 3

   Step 3: Plug into the USB-C charging port

   The charger needs to be connected to a charging port on your PC.

   Make sure you’re connecting your charger to the USB-C charging port on your PC. A charger that isn’t connected to a charging port is one of the possible causes Windows lists when a PC isn’t charging.

4. 4

   Step 4: Connect the charger directly, not through a hub or dock

   A charger connected to your PC through an external hub or dock is another possible cause.

   If your charger goes into a USB-C hub or dock, unplug it from there and connect it straight to your laptop’s USB-C charging port.

   The PC isn’t charging notification says to make sure the charger is directly plugged in.

5. 5

   Step 5: Check that the charger and cable are powerful enough

   Your charger and cable must support the power levels your PC requires.

   A charger that isn’t powerful enough, or a charging cable that doesn’t meet the power requirements for the charger or PC, can stop your laptop from charging.

   To charge faster, your PC, charger and cable must all support the industry standards, and the charger and cable must also support the power levels your PC requires. For example, if your PC requires 12V and 3A for the fastest charging, a 5V, 3A charger won’t give you the fastest charging.

   If the USB-C connector supports USB Power Delivery, it can charge even faster at greater power levels.

   Good to know

   If you aren’t sure which charger your laptop needs, contact your PC manufacturer to help determine the charger to use.

6. 6

   Step 6: Clean the USB-C port with compressed air

   Dust or dirt inside the USB port might be preventing the charger from being inserted correctly.

   Use a can of compressed air to clean the USB-C port on your PC.

7. 7

   Step 7: Charge while the laptop is asleep or off

   If your laptop is charging slowly, this can help it charge faster.

   To speed up charging, charge your PC while it’s asleep or turned off.

8. 8

   Step 8: Check whether Smart charging is on

   Smart charging can stop the battery from charging to 100% even though your laptop is plugged in.

   Some device manufacturers turn on Smart charging in Windows 11. When it’s on, you’ll see a heart on the Battery icon on the right side of the taskbar and in Power & battery settings.

   If you hover over the Battery icon and it says Fully Smart charged, the battery isn’t charging even though your device is still plugged in, and the battery level may be lower than 100%. This is intentional and helps protect your battery.

   Good to know

   To learn how to turn off Smart charging, visit your device manufacturer’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related guides

• Battery & PowerLaptop Battery Draining Fast? Try These FixesFind apps draining your laptop battery, turn on energy saver or Low Power Mode, change screen and sleep settings, and check the battery on Windows and Mac.