We’ve all experienced that heart-sinking feeling when our laptop’s battery is low, and the charger is nowhere to be found. As a result, it always helps to know alternative ways to charge your laptop. One less popular way of charging a laptop is by using an HDMI cable.
HDMI cables can charge your laptop. However, these cables transmit tiny amounts of power because they’re not designed to transmit power primarily. Fortunately, you can use the low power output to top up your laptop battery.
However, the connection process will require adjustments before you start charging. Once these adjustments are made, you will be able to charge your laptop slowly but effectively. Let’s break down the steps required to charge your laptop with HDMI.
Can You Use HDMI to Charge Laptop?
Are you wondering if you can use HDMI to charge your laptop? Yes, a laptop can be charged via HDMI! If your laptop charger stops working, or maybe you forgot your charger, you can charge it with an HDMI cable.
However, only use an HDMI cable to charge your laptop when absolutely necessary. HDMI cables don’t have the regulators that standard laptop chargers have. Note that an HDMI cable will only provide a small amount of power. So, don’t expect fast charging when using an HDMI. Lastly, remember that an HDMI cable might not power other electronic devices.
How Can You Charge a Laptop with an HDMI?
You can charge your laptop with an HDMI cable if you have a device that can support it. We’ll show you how to do it in three simple steps so you can quickly top up your battery anywhere!
Step 1: Examine Your Laptop’s Ports
Before you start charging with an HDMI cable, you need to ensure that your laptop is capable of supporting HDMI charging. First, examine the sides of your computer for an HDMI port or a USB port to connect an adapter cable.
Furthermore, you’ll need adapters if you use a MacBook because most MacBooks lack HDMI ports. On the other hand, other laptop brands typically have many port options. So, ensure you have the necessary ports before proceeding.
If you do not have an HDMI port after examining your laptop’s ports, you will need to get an HDMI adapter. You won’t be able to charge your laptop with the HDMI cable unless you have an HDMI port or an adaptor. Luckily, adapters are easy to find in stores and online and are also quite inexpensive.
Step 2: Connect the HDMI Cable
You’ll be able to start charging your laptop once you’ve found an adapter and an HDMI cable. Connect the HDMI cable to a TV that supports HDMI. Then, connect the other end of the cable to your laptop’s port or HDMI adapter.
Furthermore, ensure all your connections are secure and your laptop’s ports are operational. If your computer includes an HDMI port, you will have an easy time and will not need to purchase and set up an HDMI adapter.
Step 3: Finish and Test the Connections
Connect the HDMI cable to your laptop port or adapter to your laptop and ensure the connection works. You may need to adjust the cord to ensure the connection works. If your laptop starts charging, you’re in luck.
All you have to do now is patiently wait till your laptop charges. However, if it doesn’t charge, remove the HDMI cord and reconnect, ensuring the connections are properly secured. Be patient, as it may take a couple of tries to get it right.
Furthermore, ensure your TV’s ports are operational and secure. If that doesn’t work, there could be a problem with the TV port or cable. You can also try connecting the HDMI cord to another TV to resolve the issue. If this still doesn’t work, the problem is most likely with the TV’s or laptop’s HDMI port. Run additional tests to narrow down what the issue might be.
Conclusion
It is not difficult to charge a laptop using an HDMI cable. However, because it only transmits less power, charging will take a long time. As a result, this isn’t an efficient method of charging your laptop.
So, charging with an HDMI shouldn’t be a long-term solution. Remember, HDMI charging can deplete your laptop battery and shorten the life of your device. Therefore, we recommend purchasing a new charger as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Using an HDMI cable to charge is not a good idea. It is intended for multimedia sharing rather than charging laptops. Furthermore, an HDMI’s voltage output is low, requiring more time to charge. As a result, it may negatively impact the laptop’s battery.
Yes, you can. Simply transfer the laptop’s battery to your computer. However, you must ensure that the new battery has the same voltage as yours, so you don’t put the laptop at risk.
Your laptop’s USB ports can’t charge the laptop. These ports are typically used to power other peripheral devices. So, if you’re looking to charge your laptop, don’t consider a USB port as a possible option.
If your laptop has a USB-C port, you’ll be able to charge it with a USB-C cable. To ensure it works properly, ensure the charger’s voltage matches (or closely matches) the voltage your laptop requires. Recently, the USB-C cable has become the most commonly used charging cable for laptops. Connect the USB-C cable to an outlet before plugging it into your computer and start charging.
