Off & On Road Power Solution
  • 6X faster charging on the way
  • Smart protect car battery
  • Compatible with 95% power stations on the market
Learn More
Back to blog News

Table of Article

How to Charge a Laptop Without Charger

Laptops are important, but misplacing or losing a charger can be annoying. Luckily, there are several other ways to charge the laptop without charger. These include power banks, car chargers, portable power stations, and even solar energy. But it is crucial to use the right tools and know the basics of safety rules to prevent damaging the device. This guide looks at how to charge a laptop without charger and also discusses how to look after batteries to stop the device from facing charging problems in the future. Find out how to keep your device powered on with these easy and safe methods!

Checking and Preserving the Battery Condition

Before trying to find other ways to charge laptop without charger, it is crucial to find out how healthy the battery is and how to extend its life.

1. Observing Battery Condition

  • Windows Users: To create a battery report, enter powercfg /batteryreport in the Command Prompt.
  • macOS Users: Go to System Information and then Power to check the battery health.
  • Third-Party Tools: Softwares like BatteryCare or HWMonitor give information about the battery, its life in charges, and the wear.

2. Battery Health Status

  • Cycle Count: The lifetime of batteries is known to decrease with the number of charges. The majority of laptop batteries are designed to last between 300 and 1000 cycles.
  • Wear Level: A low number of percent of wear indicates that the battery has better capacity. If the wear is more than 30%-40%, it is advisable to replace the battery.
  • Performance Drops: If the laptop is turning off on its own or if the battery is discharging fast then the battery may be bad.

3. Tips for Battery Care

  • It is recommended to keep the battery between 20% and 80% to prevent wear.
  • Do not use the laptop in conditions below or above extreme temperatures.
  • Use recommended power supplies and chargers by the manufacturer to avoid damage while charging.
  • Turning on the battery saver will help to conserve battery life and extend its use.

Charging a Laptop from a Car Power Source

If you are away from the power socket and need to use your laptop, using your car power is the best option. However, it is necessary to have the right tools and follow some rules.

1. Required Equipment

  • Car Power Inverter – This converts your car’s 12V DC power into standard AC power that can be used to charge your laptop.
  • USB-C Car Charger – If your laptop has a USB-C port, a high-power USB-C car charger that supports the Power Delivery standard will also charge your device quickly.
  • 12V DC Laptop Charger – Some companies provide special car adapters that are made to work with certain laptop models.

2. Safety Tips for Car Charging

  • Check Power Ratings – Check the voltage and wattage of the car adapter to make sure they are safe for your laptop.
  • Prevent Overloading the Car Battery – It is recommended that the laptop is charged when the engine is running, so as not to discharge the car battery.
  • Use Surge Protection – Car inverter with protection against surges will not allow sudden changes in power that may damage your laptop.
  • Heat Levels – Since charging can lead to the devices getting heated, it is important that there is enough ventilation for the laptop as well as the power source for the duration of the charging time.

Using External Laptop Batteries for Charging

External laptop batteries are a type of battery that can be connected directly to the laptop to charge it when the battery is dead. These batteries are useful for individuals who are always traveling or for use in case of an emergency.

1. What is an External Laptop Battery?

An external laptop battery is a self-contained power source that can be used to power your laptop directly. Unlike power banks, these batteries have different voltage settings and have dedicated laptop charging ports.

2. Choosing the Right External Battery

  • Compatibility: The battery should be compatible with the voltage and the connector of your laptop.
  • Capacity (mAh/Wh): Batteries with higher capacity last longer and have more cycles.
  • Power Output: Some laptops require a good amount of power (for example, gaming laptops require 90W and above); it is important to check for compatibility before making a purchase.
  • USB-C PD Support: If your laptop is compatible with the USB Power Delivery feature, then it is advised to get an external battery that has high-wattage USB-C port for fast charging.

3. How to Use an External Battery Charger for Batteries That Can Be Removed

  • Take out the laptop battery.
  • Put it into the external battery.
  • Connect the charger to a power source.
  • Replace the battery of your laptop after it has been charged completely.

4. Safety Considerations

  • Only use external batteries that are recommended by the manufacturer to prevent voltage issues.
  • Do not keep the external battery connected for more than necessary to prevent the battery from heating up.
  • It is recommended to keep external batteries in a cool and dry place to increase their life span.

Find a Solar Charging for Laptop

For those who are searching for a green and off the grid charging solution, solar charging is feasible. It may not be the fastest way, but it is very useful in outdoor, or emergency conditions, or just to decrease the usage of conventional power supply.

1. How to Use Solar Charging 

Solar chargers work by utilizing sunlight to produce electrical energy which can be used to charge a laptop either directly or through the use of a power bank. There are two main ways to charge a laptop using solar power:

  • Solar Power Banks: They collect energy from solar panels and keep it for later use in a more convenient and portable design.
  • Direct Solar Panel Charging: This method needs a high-power solar panel of 40-100W, equipped with a voltage regulator and the right adapters.

2. How to Choose a Solar Charger

  • Wattage & Efficiency: Laptops can be charged faster with high-power panels (60W or above).
  • Battery Storage Capacity: A solar power bank with 20,000mAh capacity or above will provide sufficient power backup.
  • Voltage and Connector: Check that the output voltage is suitable for your laptop’s input.
  • Portability: For traveling or camping, foldable or compact panels are ideal.

3. Tips for Using Your Laptop with a Solar Charger

  • Increase the Sunlight Exposure: Location is everything; place your solar panels in direct sunlight to enhance the charging time.
  • Use an Energy Buffer: It is better to first charge a power station or a battery pack and then use it to charge the laptop for a more stable power supply.
  • Watch the Charging Rates: Some laptops need a certain amount of power input; look at the charging time to make sure that the power is used efficiently.

Using a Portable Power Station to Charge a Laptop

One of the most efficient methods of charging a laptop without the original charger is using portable power stations. These devices are simply rechargeable batteries with a number of output options, featuring AC outlets, USB-C ports, and DC outputs, which make them perfect for use when charging in an emergency or off the grid.

1. Choosing the Proper Size of the Portable Power Station

  • Power Output: Make sure the wattage is equal to or greater than that of your laptop (for example, 60W-100W for typical laptops, 150W and above for gaming laptops).
  • Port Options: Choose models equipped with USB-C PD and AC outlets for best compatibility.
  • Battery Capacity: The number of watt-hours (Wh) is a standard; the higher the value, the longer the usage time (300Wh-500Wh).
  • Portability: If you are looking for a model that is easy to carry when traveling, then consider the weight and size.

2. How to Use a Portable Power Station to Charge a Laptop

  • Check Power Compatibility – Check whether the power station can supply the required power density.
  • Use the Correct Port:
    • Connect the laptop charger to the AC outlet if available.
    • Use the USB-C PD port directly to charge if available.
    • Connect via DC output with the help of an appropriate adapter.

Use Power Bank for Laptop Charging

Power banks are useful and easily carried around to charge a laptop when you do not have a charger. However, not all power banks are created equal and can be used to charge laptops, so it is important to pick the right one for your laptop based on its power needs.

1. How to Choose the Right Power Bank for Your Laptop

  • Power Output (Wattage): First of all, check that the power bank has enough power in watts to charge your laptop. The majority of laptops need at least 45W-100W for proper charging.
  • USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) Support: USB-C PD compatible power banks are capable of fast and efficient charging of compatible laptops.
  • Capacity (mAh or Wh): A power bank with 20,000mAh (72Wh) capacity or above is recommended to fully charge a laptop. For two or more charges, it is better to get a power bank with a high capacity (30,000mAh and above).
  • Port Compatibility: The power bank should have a USB-C PD or DC port that is compatible with your laptop’s charging port.
  • Recommended Power Bank: BLUETTI X20 - A perfect example of a laptop-compatible power bank is the BLUETTI X20. This 288W, 153.6Wh portable power station is suitable for work and play, for remote use, trips, and camping to power your laptop and other DC electronics.

2. How to Use a Power Bank for Laptop Charging

  • Check Compatibility – First of all, check whether your laptop can be charged through the USB-C or DC port.
  • Use a High-Wattage Power Bank – If your laptop needs 65W or higher power, the power bank should also be able to provide that much power.
  • Connect Using the Right Cable – For USB-PD charging, use a USB-C to USB-C cable, or a DC adapter for other types of laptops.
  • Monitor Charging Efficiency – Some power banks may charge the laptop slower than a normal charger, it is recommended to keep a check on the charging time.

Charging a Laptop Using HDMI

Some people have used HDMI as a way to charge their laptop when they lose their power adapter. However, HDMI was mainly developed for the purpose of transferring digital audio and video signals and not for power supply. Although it can be used in some situations, it should not be used for charging purposes due to its inefficiency.

1. How HDMI Charging Works

Using your laptop to charge your battery through HDMI needs an HDMI to USB adapter or HDMI to USB-C cable to transfer power from a power source like a TV, gaming console, or another laptop to the laptop. Nevertheless, this method has some disadvantages:

  • Low Power Output – HDMI ports provide power of 5V at 0.5A (2.5W) which is not enough for most laptops that need 30W – 100W.
  • Unstable Charging – If a laptop can be charged through HDMI port, then the process is very slow and may not deliver enough power to allow the laptop to work while charging.

2. How to Charge Laptop from HDMI Cables if It’s Absolutely Necessary

  • Check Laptop Compatibility – Some of the USB-C enabled laptops are capable of taking power from HDMI connector with the help of an appropriate adapter.
  • Use an HDMI Power Source – This can be a TV, gaming console, or any other device with an HDMI output.
  • Connect Using an HDMI-to-USB-C Adapter – Insert the HDMI end into the power source and the USB-C end into the laptop.
  • Monitor Power Flow – If the laptop recognizes the power input, users should check whether the power is enough to extend the battery life.

3. Limitations and Risks Associated with HDMI Charging

  • Inefficiency: HDMI gives out very low power hence cannot be used effectively for charging.
  • Potential Hardware Damage: Using HDMI for charging may lead to heating up of the port, damaging the internal components, or voltage fluctuations.
  • Better Alternatives Available: HDMI is not as good as power banks, USB-C charging, or universal adapters for charging in a safer and more efficient way.

USB-C Charging

USB-C is getting popular as a charging port for new laptops due to its fast charge and the ability to work with different devices. Nevertheless, not all laptops can be charged with USB-C, and what must be done to avoid damages that may result from its use.

1. An Introduction to USB-C Power Delivery (PD)

USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) is a quick charging technology that enables the transmission of higher currents through the USB-C interface, which is suitable for charging laptops.

  • Checking Laptop Compatibility
    • USB-C Port with Power Delivery (PD): Not all USB-C ports can charge. Verify the existence of Power Delivery (PD) pin in your laptop’s specifications.
    • Wattage Requirements – The power needs of laptops are different; standard models need 45-100W, while gaming or high-end laptops may need up to 130W or more.
  • USB-C Charging vs Normal USB Charging: A Comparison
    • USB-A vs. USB-C: Standard USB A ports can supply very low current (5V at 0.5A) and cannot charge laptops.
    • USB-C PD Support: A laptop that is capable of USB-PD can receive power up to 100W or even more for quick charging.

2. Advantages of USB-C Charging

  • Fast Charging – USB-PD is better in delivering power than traditional laptop adapters, which means faster charging time.
  • Cross-Device Compatibility – A single USB-C charger can be used to charge several devices including laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other accessories.
  • Compact and Portable – USB-C chargers are often smaller and more lightweight than conventional laptop chargers, making them great for travel.

3. How to Use USB-C Charging Optimally

  • Using High-Wattage USB-C Chargers
    • It is always recommended to use a USB-C charger that has the power equal to or more than the power consumption of the laptop (for example, 65W charger for 65W laptop).
    • If a low power charger is used, the laptop may take a long time to charge or may not even charge the battery when the laptop is in use.
  • Monitoring Charging Efficiency
    • Use Certified Cables – A good USB-C to USB-C cable that supports Power Delivery will ensure that charging is efficient and without risks.
    • Check for Firmware and Driver Updates – In some cases, laptops need firmware updates to enhance the USB-C charging efficiency.
    • Watch Out for Battery and Heat – If your charger is producing too much heat, this may be due to a poor-quality or incorrect charger, or poor power transmission.