Can an HDMI Cable Charge a Laptop? 

Has your laptop’s charger begun to malfunction? Are the available power outlets for your charger all occupied?

It can be very frustrating to be stuck with a dead battery when using your laptop. 

If you can’t charge your laptop with its charger, we know an alternative way! 

HDMI cables perform the vital function of sending media to and from connected devices. They also pack some amount of current. 

Can you use an HDMI cable to power up your laptop? Find the answer in this article! 

Discover up to three ways to charge your laptop without its charger.

Can an HDMI Cable Charge My Laptop?

Yes, this is a possible way to charge a laptop without its assigned charger. However, this option is only possible for laptops that have a USB-C connector. 

Surprised? Wondering what an HDMI cable has to do with the USB-C connector?

We’ll explain!

On its own, the HDMI connector does not support charging functions. Laptops cannot direct power to the battery from the HDMI port. 

It simply means that you cannot charge your laptop by simply creating an HDMI to HDMI connection between it and a power source. 

On the other hand, a USB-C connector supports sharing data and power between devices connected over a single cable. It is known for high wattage connectivity, letting it speedily transfer enough power to charge a laptop. 

Manufacturers are beginning to include USB-C ports on new laptop models such as the HP ENVY 13, Dell XPS 13, HP EliteBook, LG Gram, and more.

An HDMI power source supplies about 5V current to the HDMI cable, but that current can only get to your laptop’s battery through the USB-C connector.

How Can I Charge My Laptop With an HDMI Cable? 

To charge your laptop with an HDMI cable, there are three things you will need:

• Your USB-C laptop
• A strong HDMI-enabled power source (i.e., an LED or LCD TV)
• A high-quality HDMI cable : We recommend 2.1 Ultra High-speed HDMI cables. They come with a feature called ‘cable power’, which draws more power from the source. 
• An HDMI to USB-C adapter 

Steps to charge your laptop with an HDMI cable:

• Step 1: Take your HDMI cable and plug one end into the LCD TV’s HDMI port. 
• Step 2: Plug the other end of the cable into the HDMI port on the USB-C adapter.
• Step 3: Plug the male USB-C end of the adapter into the USB-C port on your laptop. 
• Step 4: Turn on the TV and check if it powers your laptop.

Note: This method is quite unreliable and may not work for you. Even when it works, it supplies a low current and takes a long time to charge the laptop. 

Only use an HDMI to USB-C connection for charging when you have exhausted all other options. Frequent use of this setup can weaken or damage your battery. 

Is There Another Way To Charge a Laptop? 

Your standard laptop charger is the best way to charge your laptop quickly and securely. However, circumstances may warrant you to seek less conventional ways to charge your laptop. 

Apart from the HDMI cable, which you cannot trust, there are three other ways to charge your laptop without its charger.

These options are also available to laptops with the USB-C connector. If your laptop belongs in this category, all you need is a power source and a way to transfer power to the USB-C port. 

The three methods are:

• Charging your laptop in a car
• Charging with a laptop power bank
• Charging with a USB-C power adapter

1. Charging Your Laptop in a Car

This method is safe and convenient if you’re driving. You can use it when your standard charger isn’t available or if you don’t have access to a conventional power outlet. 

Accessories required:

• USB car charger adapter:

These devices are plugged into the car’s AC outlet. They have USB ports (USB-A and USB-C) for connecting charging cables. 

The AINOPE mini car charger  is a good example. 

• USB cables:

You can either use a USB-A to USB-C cable  or a dual USB-C connector cable .

Steps to charge your laptop in a car:

• Step 1: Turn on your car’s engine. 
• Step 2: Plug the car charger into the car’s cigarette lighter (also called AC outlet). 
• Step 3: Plug one end of your USB cable into the car charger.
• Step 4: Plug the other end into your laptop’s USB-C port. 

Note: Some newer car models come with a USB-A port that you can use directly, so you may not need a car charger.

Please do not leave your laptop to charge unsupervised in the car. This may expose it to theft or overheating.

2. Charging Your Laptop With a Power Bank 

Power banks are like portable batteries for most of our electronic devices. They are commonly used to charge phones, Bluetooth speakers, and other small devices. 

Now, there are power banks designed primarily for laptops, like the Charmast High-Speed Battery Pack . They have very high storage capacities and USB-C outputs for faster charging.

You can recharge your power banks overnight and use them whenever the need arises. Depending on their power capacity, they may be able to give your laptop a full charge two or more times.

Accessories required:

• USB-C laptop power bank
• USB-C to USB-C cable

Steps to charging your laptop with a power bank:

• Step 1: Plug one end of your USB cable into the power bank’s USB port.
• Step 2: Plug the other end of the cable into the USB-C connector on your laptop.
• Step 3: If the power bank doesn’t turn on automatically, switch it on, and you are all set! 

Note: You can use a USB-A power bank if it’s available, but you’ll need a USB-A to USB-C cable instead. The only downside is that it may be less powerful than USB-C power banks.

3. USB Power Adapter

These are power adapters plugged directly into power outlets. They have USB-A or USB-C ports and can be used when you cannot find your assigned laptop charger. 

The USB-C power adapter is better suited for charging laptops because of its fast charging capabilities. The AILKIN Wall Charger Adapter  is an excellent example. 

You’ll need either a USB-A to USB-C cable or a dual USB-C cable. It depends on your power adapter. 

Accessories required:

• A USB power adapter
• A USB cable

Steps to charge your laptop with a USB power adapter:

• Step 1: Find an electrical outlet, plug in the adapter, and switch on the outlet.
• Step 2: Plug one end of the USB cable into the power adapter
• Step 3: Plug the other end of the USB cable into the USB-C port on your laptop. 

A laptop bag makes it easier for you to carry your essential accessories. With a power bank, USB cables, and a car charger adapter, you can stay prepared for emergencies.

Conclusion

A standard laptop charger is the best way to charge a laptop. However, in urgent circumstances, you may explore other means of keeping your laptop charged. 

You can charge your laptop through its USB-C port with a car charger, a power bank, or a power adapter. We hope these methods are helpful to you when you don’t have access to a standard charger or a direct power outlet.

Remember that you should only use these alternatives for charging your laptop during emergencies. Please don’t make a habit of it to avoid weakening your laptop’s battery.