Why Your USB-C Device Isn’t Charging – And the Quick Solution I Always Consider First

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ZDNET Highlights

• USB-C charging requires protocol negotiation, which some cheaper devices omit.
• Devices that fail to charge often lack the internal hardware necessary for the charging handshake.
• Use a USB-A to USB-C cable to bypass the Power Negotiation Protocol.

Although USB charging is an improvement over the mess of proprietary connectors and protocols that preceded it in the past, it’s still not the utopia the tech industry wants you to believe.

Here is a good example. i have one portable thermal label printer I’ve found it very useful for keeping things organized – it prints really clear labels that are resistant to water, oil, acid and heat. It is also powered by a built-in rechargeable battery. This is a great printer that costs less than $30.

Also: This USB power meter I tested is surprisingly accurate – especially considering how cheap it is.

But I have now lost count of how many times I have put it on charge only to find that it is flat when I need it to be. So, why?

Why do some gadgets not charge with USB-C?

Although the printer may have a USB-C port, it lacks the necessary hardware to support the USB-C charging protocol. On a more technical level, the manufacturer chose to save a few cents by eliminating some basic components (usually just two resistors, which cost almost nothing) to accommodate varying power inputs. Since USB-C does not supply power without first determining what the device needs, no power is delivered.

In contrast, USB-A always provides a default 5V without any negotiation.

Also: I never leave home without this viral USB-C key ring accessory

The result is that, while the port appears to be identical to every other USB-C port, if you plug in a USB-C cable connected to a USB-C charger, the device will not charge.

Which is quite annoying.

There is an important gift for a device with this range: it will be supplied with a USB-A to USB-A cable.

There’s one more rub. I have found some USB-C chargers that will work with devices like this. They shouldn’t be doing this and they are only working because they are not up to standards, but they will be working.

What to do instead?

Well, assuming you don’t have a non-compliant USB-C charger that works even though it shouldn’t work, what should you do?

Also: What do orange USB ports really mean – and the truth behind all the colors

So, if you have a USB-C device that won’t charge from a USB-C charger, don’t throw it away or start pulling out the PryTools – try a USB-A to USB-C cable!

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